Alan Alda, widely known for his iconic role as Hawkeye Pierce on MASH*, has faced many personal struggles throughout his life. Now 89 years old, the beloved actor and writer recently opened up about his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Alan’s fame skyrocketed with MASH*, one of the most popular TV shows in U.S. history, which aired from 1972 to 1983. He won six Golden Globe awards for his performance. Despite growing up in a show business family, Alan’s childhood was filled with upheavals. Born in the Bronx in 1936, he moved often as his father’s burlesque career took the family across the country. His father, Robert Alda, was a singer and actor, and his mother, Joan Browne, was a homemaker and former beauty queen.
In his memoir, Alan revealed the difficulties his family faced, especially his mother’s mental health struggles during a time when such illnesses were largely misunderstood. A particularly traumatic moment was when his mother had a violent outburst toward his father when Alan was six years old. Despite this, the event was later denied by his parents.
The following year, Alan contracted polio, a serious and potentially deadly disease. He endured painful therapy and months of recovery but eventually made an astonishing full recovery.
Alan’s early exposure to burlesque, traveling with his parents and even making his stage debut as a baby, shaped his unique upbringing. As a child, he was part of a staged publicity photo that showed him holding a tobacco pipe to help promote his father’s club—an image that stuck in his memoir.
He went on to study English at Fordham University, where he found a passion for acting and comedy through improv. His Broadway debut came in 1959, followed by numerous roles leading to his iconic performance in MASH*. Alan continued acting and directing through film and television, earning critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for The Aviator.
Alan married musician and writer Arlene Wiess in 1957. Their love story began at a Manhattan party where she played Mozart on the clarinet. A comical incident involving a fallen rum cake at their first dinner together sealed their bond. Arlene gave up her musical career to support Alan, standing by him through thick and thin, especially since his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2015.
The couple has three daughters: Elizabeth, who became a special education teacher; Beatrice, a director; and Eve, who pursued psychology and social work.
Alan first noticed symptoms after a New York Times article described unusual behavior linked to Parkinson’s. Recognizing himself in the description, he sought medical tests, which confirmed the diagnosis.
Despite the challenges, Alan remains optimistic and active. He takes boxing lessons, plays tennis, and uses music and activities to stay engaged. He describes Parkinson’s as something to “surf” rather than fear, adapting continuously.
Simple tasks like tying shoelaces have become harder, but Alan’s spirit remains unbroken. He encourages others with Parkinson’s not to give up, emphasizing that the disease is lived with, not died from.
Balancing family, health struggles, and a celebrated career, Alan Alda’s story is one of resilience, love, and courage that continues to inspire many.
