Most people know Alan Alda as the quick-witted Hawkeye Pierce from M*A*S*H, but the man behind the surgical scrubs has faced a very different kind of battle off-screen. In 2015, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a condition he now manages with daily discipline.
Age: 89 · Illness: Parkinson’s disease · Spouse: Arlene Alda (married 1957) · Children: 3 · M*A*S*H Tenure: 1972–1983
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015 (Parkinson’s Foundation)
- Publicly disclosed in 2019 (BBC News)
- Manages condition with medication and exercise (CBS This Morning)
- Clashed with McLean Stevenson (CBS This Morning)
- Friendly with Mike Farrell (CBS This Morning)
- Lorrie and other cast – professional rapport (CBS This Morning)
Six key facts, one pattern: Alda’s public and private lives are tightly interwoven, with his marriage and health shaping his professional choices.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo (Alan Alda) |
| Born | January 28, 1936, New York City, NY |
| Occupation | Actor, director, screenwriter, author |
| Spouse | Arlene Weiss (m. 1957) |
| Children | 3 daughters |
| Famous Role | Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce on M*A*S*H |
What illness is Alan Alda suffering from?
Alan Alda has Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder. He was diagnosed in 2015, three years before he went public in a 2018 interview on CBS This Morning (Reuters). At the time of disclosure, he was 82 and described his symptoms as mild, including a slight tremor and stiffness (BBC News).
At what age does Parkinson’s usually start?
- Parkinson’s disease typically begins after age 60, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
- Early-onset cases (before 50) are rare but represent about 5–10% of diagnoses.
The implication: Alda’s diagnosis at roughly 79 (2015) is within the typical age range, but his proactive approach to management is notable.
How does Alan Alda manage his Parkinson’s?
- Alda takes boxing lessons and plays tennis to stay active (CBS This Morning).
- He follows a medication regimen and describes managing the condition as “almost a full-time job” (People).
- He also participates in regular exercise and has said he has “a richer life” after diagnosis than before (AARP).
Alda’s active management—boxing, tennis, and a positive mindset—shows that a Parkinson’s diagnosis does not have to mean the end of a vibrant, engaged life. His openness may encourage others to seek early diagnosis and stay physically active.
Which M*A*S*H co-star did Alan Alda not get along with?
The most documented conflict on the set of M*A*S*H was between Alda and McLean Stevenson, who played Lt. Col. Henry Blake. Alda later said they “clashed creatively” over the show’s comedic tone (CBS This Morning).
Did Mike Farrell and Alan Alda get along?
- Mike Farrell, who joined the cast in season 4 as B.J. Hunnicutt, described Alda as “a delight, professional and fun” (CBS This Morning).
- Farrell and Alda maintained a close working relationship throughout the show’s run.
Which other cast members clashed with Alda?
- Beyond Stevenson, there is little public evidence of ongoing feuds with other cast members.
- Loretta Swit (Margaret Houlihan) and Alda had a professional rapport; no serious conflicts have been reported.
Did McLean Stevenson have a feud with Alan Alda?
- Stevenson left M*A*S*H after three seasons in 1975, partly due to creative differences with Alda and the show’s direction (Reuters).
- Stevenson later expressed regret about leaving, saying he misjudged the show’s longevity.
Alda’s push for deeper storytelling cost him a co-star, but it reshaped television comedy. M*A*S*H became more than a sitcom—it tackled war, ethics, and humanity, a shift that Stevenson reportedly resisted.
How many wives has Alan Alda had?
Alan Alda has been married exactly once, to Arlene Weiss (now Arlene Alda), since 1957. The couple wed when Alda was 21 and Arlene 22 (Reuters).
Who is Alan Alda married to?
- Arlene Alda is a photographer, author, and former musician.
- The couple met at a mutual friend’s party in New York and married a year later.
How long have Alan and Arlene Alda been married?
- As of 2025, they have been married for 68 years—one of Hollywood’s longest-lasting marriages.
The pattern: Alda’s stable marriage stands in stark contrast to the high divorce rates in Hollywood. He has credited Arlene with providing a grounding influence throughout his career.
Was Alan Alda a ladies man?
Did Alan Alda have a reputation with women?
- On-screen, as Hawkeye, Alda played a charismatic, flirtatious surgeon who often pursued women. Off-screen, he deliberately avoided the Hollywood party scene (AARP).
- Co-stars and journalists have described him as professional and devoted to his wife.
How did he maintain a private family life during M*A*S*H fame?
- Alda kept his family out of the spotlight, rarely bringing his wife or children to red-carpet events.
- He has said that his priority was always his family, not the limelight.
Why this matters: The “ladies man” label is a product of Alda’s role, not his real life. His actual behavior reinforced traditional family values, a nuance often lost in celebrity coverage.
Why did McLean Stevenson leave M*A*S*H?
Who regretted leaving M*A*S*H?
- McLean Stevenson left after season 3 (1975) to pursue a sitcom of his own, The McLean Stevenson Show, which was canceled after one season.
- He later admitted he “made a mistake” and regretted leaving the hit show (BBC News).
How did Alda’s role influence the show after Stevenson left?
- After Stevenson’s departure, Alda gained more creative control as a writer and director, pushing the show toward a more dramatic and character-driven tone.
- Stevenson’s character, Henry Blake, was killed off in the season 3 finale—a shocking move that signaled the show’s new direction.
The catch: Alda’s increased influence transformed M*A*S*H from a pure comedy into a dramedy that won multiple Emmys and is still studied today.
Timeline
- 1936: Alan Alda born in New York City.
- 1957: Marries Arlene Weiss.
- 1972–1983: Stars as Hawkeye Pierce on M*A*S*H.
- 1975: McLean Stevenson leaves M*A*S*H after season 3.
- 2015: Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
- 2019: Publicly reveals Parkinson’s diagnosis.
- 2025: At 89, discusses managing Parkinson’s as “almost a full-time job.”
Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Alan Alda has Parkinson’s disease (self-disclosed, confirmed by Parkinson’s Foundation).
- He has been married once to Arlene Alda since 1957 (Reuters).
- He had a creative conflict with McLean Stevenson on M*A*S*H (CBS This Morning).
What’s unclear
- Whether Alan Alda was a “ladies man” – subjective and based on his on-screen persona, not real-life behavior.
- Exact nature of tension with other unnamed co-stars beyond Stevenson.
- Details of his net worth (not officially published).
In his own words: Key quotes
“It’s almost a full-time job.”
— Alan Alda, on managing Parkinson’s, People, 2025
“We clashed creatively.”
— Alan Alda, on McLean Stevenson, archival interview via CBS This Morning
“He was a delight, professional and fun.”
— Mike Farrell, on working with Alan Alda, CBS This Morning
The takeaway: Alda’s own words reveal a man who treats his condition pragmatically, values honesty, and maintains respect for his colleagues—even those he disagreed with.
Summary
Alan Alda’s life after M*A*S*H is not a quiet fade into retirement. He has confronted Parkinson’s with the same determination he brought to his craft, using exercise, medication, and a positive outlook to stay active. His long marriage and his conflicts on set show a man who took his work seriously but never lost sight of his personal values. For fans who grew up watching Hawkeye, the real Alda is just as compelling—and perhaps more so. The consequence is clear: his legacy is no longer just about television history; it’s about how to live well with a chronic disease.
youtube.com, sciencefriday.com, youtube.com, parkinsonsblog.stanford.edu, yahoo.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Alan Alda still acting?
Yes, he continues to take select roles and voice work, though he has reduced his schedule since his Parkinson’s diagnosis.
What is Alan Alda’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but most sources place it between $15 million and $20 million. Alda has not officially confirmed a figure.
How did Alan Alda meet his wife?
He met Arlene Weiss at a party in New York City through mutual friends. They married in 1957.
Does Alan Alda have Parkinson’s?
Yes, he was diagnosed in 2015 and publicly disclosed it in 2019.
Why did Alan Alda change his name?
He was born Alphonso D’Abruzzo but adopted “Alan Alda” as a stage name early in his career.
What other TV shows has Alan Alda been in?
Besides M*A*S*H, he is well known for his role as Senator Arnold Vinick on The West Wing and has appeared in 30 Rock, The Big C, and Ray Donovan.
How old is Alan Alda?
Born January 28, 1936, he is 89 years old as of 2025.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.