At 89, Alan Alda remains sharp and full of wit. Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015, the beloved MASH* star and father of three has embraced life as a constant series of challenges. He also lives with face blindness, or prosopagnosia, a condition that makes it difficult to recognize faces. Despite these hurdles, Alda continues to approach life with curiosity and resilience, according to PEOPLE.
“Almost every day I’m finding a new way to do something,” he says. “It’s a little like a game. I’ve found whatever the little problem is, if I keep at it, I can eventually solve it, and then I feel like a million bucks. It’s a way to have a good time under poor circumstances.”
Over the years, Alan Alda has found that managing his Parkinson’s disease has become increasingly demanding, evolving from a part-time effort into something more like a full-time responsibility. Despite the challenges, he continues to find humor in the process, maintaining the wit and spirit he’s long been known for.
While Parkinson’s management requires daily attention, acting remains a constant presence in his life. Recently, Alda made a memorable cameo in Tina Fey’s Netflix adaptation of The Four Seasons, a reimagining of his 1981 film per PEOPLE. The series, which explores the dynamics between three couples over the course of a year, has already been renewed for a second season. In the original movie, Alda portrayed Jack Burroughs, a controlling lawyer. In the new version, Will Forte plays a fresh take on that role, while Alda appears as the character’s father, bringing a new layer of depth and nostalgia to the story.
His appearance in the show revealed visible signs of his Parkinson’s, including body tremors, but it also underscored his enduring commitment to his craft. Throughout his health journey, Alda has had the steadfast support of his wife, Arlene, who has been by his side through every step. Together, they continue to navigate the challenges with resilience and a shared sense of humor.
“I don’t have dexterity with my fingers the way I used to, so sometimes she has to tear a package open for me,” Alda told PEOPLE. “She’s so good-natured about it. I’m always saying, ‘Thank you.’
That deep sense of gratitude has remained a constant throughout every chapter of his life. No matter what he achieves, he reflects on it with humility and appreciation.
Alan Alda, born Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo on January 28, 1936, in New York City, is an acclaimed American actor, director, screenwriter, and author. He is best known for his portrayal of Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce in the television series M*A*S*H (1972–1983), a role that earned him multiple Emmy Awards.
Alda’s early life was steeped in the performing arts; his father, Robert Alda, was a respected actor and singer. After studying English at Fordham University, Alda embarked on a career that spanned theater, film, and television. His Broadway credits include The Apple Tree and Glengarry Glen Ross, while his film work features notable performances in Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), The Aviator (2004), and Marriage Story (2019).
Beyond acting, Alda has made significant contributions as a writer and director. He wrote and directed several films, including The Four Seasons (1981) and Betsy’s Wedding (1990). His passion for science communication led him to host Scientific American Frontiers and establish the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University, aiming to help scientists convey complex ideas more effectively.
His personal life is marked by a long-standing marriage to Arlene Weiss, with whom he shares three daughters and eight grandchildren.
