Triumph Over Adversity: ‘MAS*H’ Star Alan Alda’s Childhood Struggles and Ongoing Fight Against Parkinson’s
Alan Alda, celebrated for his iconic portrayal of Hawkeye Pierce in the beloved TV series “MAS*H,” is not just a Hollywood treasure but a resilient individual who triumphed over numerous childhood challenges on his journey to success.
The 86-year-old actor, director, and writer achieved global recognition for his role as the witty and compassionate doctor Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce in the enduring TV show.
However, there’s a poignant turn in his story as he faces the current battle against Parkinson’s disease. Alda recently opened up about the significant challenges that accompany this condition.
The wartime mix of comedy and drama, “MAS*H,” aired from 1972 to 1983, earning its place as one of the highest-rated shows in U.S. television history. Its final episode remains a memorable and widely-watched finale.
Alan Alda, a key figure in the series, clinched the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series six times, marking his outstanding contribution to the beloved show.
Despite hailing from a showbiz family, the esteemed actor’s childhood was marked by upheavals, struggles, and early trauma. Born in the Bronx in 1936, Alan spent his formative years on the move as his parents traveled across the United States. His father, Robert Alda, an actor and singer, performed in burlesque theatres, and his mother, Joan Browne, balanced homemaking with her past as a beauty-pageant winner.
In his memoir, “Never Have Your Dog Stuffed — and Other Things I’ve Learned,” Alan candidly shared the challenges his family faced. His father often spent nights away for work, and his mother grappled with mental health struggles, a topic surrounded by taboo during the 40s and 50s, with limited resources for families in need.
Reflecting on the past, Alan expressed the potential ease that could have come from facing his mother’s illness together with his father. In his 2005 memoir, he wrote, “How much easier it could have been for my father and me to face her illness together; to compare notes, to figure out strategies. Instead, each of us was on [our] own.”
One poignant childhood memory stands out, where six-year-old Alan stayed up late with his mother while his father worked. Upon his father’s return, a heated argument ensued, with Alan’s mother accusing him of infidelity. The confrontation escalated to the point where Alan’s mother attempted to stab his father with a paring knife. In a moment of bravery, young Alan intervened, grabbing the knife and plunging it into the table to prevent harm.
Opening up about a distressing incident from his childhood, Alan revealed that when he mentioned the traumatic event weeks later to his parents, they adamantly denied any knowledge, with his mother insisting he had imagined it.
The subsequent year brought another challenge as Alan received a diagnosis of Polio, a debilitating and life-threatening disease. Reflecting on the onset of the illness at the age of 7, he shared with AARP magazine, “I got it when I was 7. I had a stuffy nose at Warner’s movie theater—honking the whole evening. I couldn’t clear my nose. When I got home, I threw up, and my legs were unsteady. The next day, I had a stiff neck. I couldn’t sit up in bed.”
Enduring a challenging journey, Alan spent two weeks in the hospital followed by six months of arduous therapy. This treatment involved wrapping his arms and legs with hot towels, aiming to boost blood flow and counteract the muscle weakness associated with the disease.
Recalling the demanding process, Alan shared, “I had nearly scalding blankets wrapped around my limbs every hour. It was hard on me. It was harder, I think, on my parents, who couldn’t afford a nurse and had to administer the treatment themselves. It’s always better to pay somebody to torture your kid.”
Fortunately, the dedicated treatment proved successful, leading to an astonishing recovery with no visible remnants of the disease’s impact on Alan.
In addition to overcoming numerous traumas and challenges, Alan experienced an unconventional childhood. From an early age, he found himself immersed in the world of burlesque shows, and his very first appearance on stage took place as a baby.
In his memoir, he reflects on the frequent journeys he embarked on alongside his parents, who were always on the road for his father’s performances with the burlesque troupe. As a little kid, he would often find himself seated in the audience, taking in the lively and sometimes cheeky shows, which became a daily ritual, occurring up to five times a day.
A photographer from the Toronto Daily Star visited backstage, and my father hatched a plan. Believing that if he posed me in a way that made it seem like I was puffing on a pipe, the newspaper would undoubtedly publish the photo, bringing unique publicity to the burlesque company. They dolled me up in my woolen suit and had me strike a serious pose, holding a pipe with tobacco in it,” he recalled.
Despite a tumultuous upbringing and overcoming a life-threatening illness, Alan thrived academically. He excelled in school, pursued English studies at Fordham University in the Bronx, New York City, and later joined an improv comedy group where he polished his performance skills and comedic timing.
His official entry into the entertainment scene occurred in 1959 when he made his Broadway debut in “Only in America.”
A couple of years down the road, he stepped into the world of cinema, marking his film debut in 1963’s “Gone Are the Days,” a screen adaptation of the stage play “Purlie Victorious,” in which he had previously taken a leading role. His journey continued with numerous appearances in Broadway productions and films until he secured his most iconic part as Hawkeye Pierce in “MAS*H.”
Subsequently, he found himself in recurring roles on television gems like “The West Wing” and “30 Rock.” Recognition poured in for his stellar performances in movies such as “Same Time, Next Year,” and he garnered praise for his directorial debut, “The Four Seasons.” The pinnacle came in 2004 when Alan earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his compelling role in “The Aviator.”
Beyond the spotlight, his personal life marked another victory as he tied the knot with musician, photographer, and writer Arlene Wiess in 1957. Remarkably, after 65 years, their marriage remains a source of enduring happiness.
Alan found his life companion in Arlene, recognizing her as the woman of his dreams from the moment they first crossed paths. The actor was certain that she was the one he would spend the rest of his life with.
The tale of their connection unfolded at a Manhattan party, long before Alan gained widespread recognition as the iconic Hawkeye. Arlene, a student at New York City’s Hunter College, left a lasting impression on Alan, especially when she picked up a clarinet at the gathering and skillfully played Mozart.
Their paths crossed once more a few weeks later when a mutual friend extended a dinner invitation. Seated across from each other, Alan and Arlene were thoroughly enjoying their time together when, unexpectedly, a rum cake perched on the fridge took a dive, landing with a resounding bang!
As a result of the refrigerator’s jolt, the cake ended up right in front of Alan and Arlene. Undeterred, they were the only ones to seize the opportunity, indulging in a spontaneous floor feast. This quirky incident became the moment they realized they were a perfect match.
Their shared sense of humor, the ability to laugh together, and even at each other, solidified their connection. Alan once shared, “My wife says the secret of a long marriage is a short memory.” He mentioned this to Closer Weekly at the New York Film Festival premiere of “Marriage Story,” playfully adding that it “seems to work!”
“We don’t spoil each other; we just love each other,” he emphasized. “Without her, I wouldn’t do much because every time I’m heading out for work, she says, ‘You’re going to be great.’ And I reciprocate the sentiment. She’s a writer and a photographer, always occupied, and I’m incredibly proud of her.”
However, Arlene made a sacrifice by putting her musical career on hold to prioritize their marriage, demonstrating unwavering support, and consistently standing by Alan’s side—especially after his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2015.
Alan Alda and his wife have three daughters, Elizabeth and Beatrice, who initially embarked on acting careers. However, as time unfolded, their professional journeys took diverse routes, with Elizabeth finding fulfillment as a special education teacher and Beatrice pursuing a path in directing.
“Elizabeth realized acting wasn’t her true passion. She chose to become a teacher for the deaf and engaged in special education,” shared Alan with Closer Weekly.
Alan’s eldest daughter, Eve, opted to live a life away from the limelight. As per her Facebook page, Eve pursued psychology at Connecticut College and presently resides in Winchester, Massachusetts. Her profile also reveals her time at the Simmons School of Social Work in Boston.
Alan fondly recalls the most enjoyable experience in his career, which was creating the 1981 movie “The Four Seasons.” He cherishes the memories of writing and directing the film, with the added joy of having two of his daughters participate in it, while his wife captured the moments through her photography.
In 2015, Alan Alda confronted a new chapter in his life when he received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, a progressive nervous system disorder. The journey began after he stumbled upon an article in The New York Times, where doctors detailed peculiar symptoms observed in Parkinson’s patients. These individuals displayed physical enactment of their dreams while still asleep, a phenomenon known as REM sleep behavior disorder. Recognizing these symptoms, Alan took the initiative to consult a neurologist and undergo a brain scan.
Sharing a personal and human moment, Alan recounted an incident to AARP Magazine in 2020, saying, “I had dreamt someone was attacking me, and in the dream, I threw a sack of potatoes at him. In reality, I threw a pillow at my wife. So, with that odd occurrence, I thought there was a good chance I had Parkinson’s.”
Yet, the doctor initially hesitated about Alan having the disease. The symptoms seemed unclear, and there were limited indicators pointing towards the renowned actor having Parkinson’s.
However, after undergoing a series of scans, the outcome was somber.
“He called me back and said, ‘Boy, you really got it,’” the actor remembered.
Upon receiving the diagnosis, Alan made a firm decision – he wouldn’t allow the disease to shape his life. Primarily, he aimed to share the news in his own terms, steering away from being the focal point of a “sad” narrative.
“I’ve had a rich life since then,” he shared.
Following his diagnosis, he acknowledged occasional twitches but embraced activities like boxing.
“I’m into boxing lessons three times a week. I play singles tennis a couple of times a week. I march to Sousa music because it’s beneficial for Parkinson’s,” he expressed.
In 2020, the cherished actor emphasized the futility of being overly optimistic or pessimistic about life.
“You’ve just got to surf uncertainty because it’s all we get,” he explained to AARP.
Reflecting on his journey, he shared with People, “The silver lining is that I keep getting more confident that I can always find a workaround. I’m more convinced than ever that life is adapting, adjusting, and revising.”
Alan actively strives to decelerate the progression of his Parkinson’s by engaging in exercise, playing chess with his wife, and keeping busy with his podcast, “Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda.” Despite his efforts, the disease presents challenges in his everyday life.
Dealing with stiff fingers makes tasks like tying shoelaces feel like playing the violin while wearing mittens, Alan shared with People.
While many view a Parkinson’s diagnosis as akin to a death sentence, Alan Alda challenges this perception. Contrary to popular belief, Parkinson’s doesn’t directly lead to the death of individuals with the condition.
“It’s a common reaction to get depressed, and it’s really not necessary. I mean, it can get really bad, but your life isn’t over. You don’t die from it, you die with it,” he conveyed to the Wall Street Journal.
Balancing the responsibilities of fatherhood, battling a challenging disease, nurturing a strong marriage, and navigating a Hollywood career must be an arduous feat, but this resilient star has triumphed admirably.
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