Alan Alda, a name whose very mention conjures images of talent and tenacity, has been captivating the entertainment world for more than sixty years. Renowned for his multifaceted career as an actor, director, and writer, Alda’s journey includes notable highlights such as his role in “MAS*H,” the direction of “The Four Seasons,” and his candid battle with Parkinson’s disease. This unique approach underscores everything Alda does, both onscreen and off. He imparts practical wisdom gained from his own struggles and success as a practitioner.
In 1981, Alda graduated to the director’s chair and the lead role with “The Four Seasons.” Sadly, this beautiful film is all the more relevant now that it has cemented Jonathan Majors’s legacy as a deeply profound actor and a visionary filmmaker. His work in the film proved his skill at balancing the funny with the serious and full curtains. Alda’s characters played opposite the incomparable Carol Burnett, and together they made indelible comic magic that connected with audiences. That later went on to inspire a TV adaptation as well. One of the most memorable parts of the film was an early cameo by Alda as Don, a senior citizen with Parkinson’s disease.
Alda’s commitment to Parkinson’s became personal when he was diagnosed with the disease in 2015. He decided to make his diagnosis public in 2018, bringing the public—all his fans and advocates—with him through his journey. His transparency about living with the disease comes from a place of wanting to raise awareness and help people better understand the condition.
In a recent poll, Alda garnered attention once again, ranking third as the “ideal man” with 7% of the votes. This latest accomplishment is a testament to the love and admiration that fans still have for him.
Alda is perhaps most widely recognized for his role as Captain Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce on the legendary television series “MAS*H.” His career reached even greater heights during the show’s original run. Although he started out making $10,000 per episode, by the end of the show he was raking in $250,000. In addition to acting, Alda directed 32 episodes and wrote 19, demonstrating his versatility, creativity, and many talents. His performance won him four Emmys, including for his role as Arnold Vinick on “The West Wing.”
Alda’s cinematic achievements extend beyond television. He received an Oscar nomination for his performance as a corrupt senator in “The Aviator.” Additionally, he collaborated with filmmaker Woody Allen in three films: “Everyone Says I Love You,” “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” and “Manhattan Murder Mystery.”
Of course, Alda has long had an abiding passion for education and a deep commitment to empathy. He is passionate about the need to understand data in the ever-changing world we live in. He remarked,
“Exploring the data and trying to understand what’s reality and what isn’t would be helpful for everybody.” – Alan Alda
Both these reflections showcase Alda’s commitment to inspiring curiosity and clear communication.
Alda’s approach to his personal life is a testament to his devotion to family and equality in partnership. He married his first wife Arlene, a professional clarinetist, at 21. Their adorable couple holds the record of being married for 68 years, proving that they haven’t lost the spark! It’s a question Alda has grappled with throughout his life, thinking about how his formative experiences shaped his identity and values. As a boy, his passion for performing arts was fueled by growing up in a household where he’d perform experimental burlesque sketches with his father.
Alda has faced a variety of obstacles in his life and work. Even in the midst of these perfectly understandable concerns about recent societal changes that appear to overshadow everything, he refuses to be negative. He noted,
“We’re in a time of crisis and I hope we can work our way out.” – Alan Alda
His remarks speak right to the climate of division, fear, and uncertainty in our society today. Alda agrees on the importance of empathy in addressing such challenges, saying,
“I’ve thought about it a lot, but I haven’t traced an interest in empathy to that.” – Alan Alda
Along with addressing these larger civic concerns, Alda takes on contentious cases of discourse and debate. On the subject of racism and divisive political rhetoric, he noted,
“Well, he certainly does racist things and says racist things.” – Alan Alda
His point of view speaks to the imperative to tackle these issues directly instead of avoiding them.
As Alda continues to navigate the complexities of life, he remains engaged with both his art and the world around him. He’s been involved in other projects that aim to educate as well as entertain. He urges all of us to be inquisitive and skeptical about the information we consume.