Alan Alda has been a fixture on screen for more than five decades, but his life off-camera has drawn just as many questions. From his Parkinson’s diagnosis to his famously long marriage, and from a reported feud with a co-star to his pivot toward science communication, the story of Alan Alda is richer than any single role.

Born: January 28, 1936 (age 88) ·
Full name: Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo ·
Known for: Captain Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H (1972–1983) ·
Emmy Awards: 6 wins (acting, writing, directing) ·
Marriage: Arlene Weiss (married 1957–present) ·
Net worth (est.): $50 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Six key datapoints from verified sources give a clear read on the man behind the famous scrubs.

Field Value
Date of birth January 28, 1936
Birthplace New York City, NY, USA
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Years active 1958–present
Spouse Arlene Weiss (1957–present)
Net worth estimate 2024 $50 million

What disease is Alan Alda suffering from?

The upshot

Alda has Parkinson’s disease — a progressive neurological disorder — but he continues to work, host a podcast, and appear in public. The condition has not ended his career.

Alan Alda’s Parkinson’s diagnosis and public disclosure

  • Alan Alda disclosed his Parkinson’s diagnosis publicly in 2019 on CBS Sunday Morning. He told the program he was first diagnosed in 2015. (AARP (advocacy group for seniors))
  • In a 2020 interview with AARP, Alda described the disease as “not life-threatening” and said he was still active, writing, and recording his podcast. (same AARP source)

How Alan Alda manages Parkinson’s disease

  • A 2025 report from Fox News quoted Alda saying that managing Parkinson’s had become “almost a full-time job.” (Fox News)
  • A Stanford Parkinson’s Community Blog post from 2019 noted that Alda uses a pillow between himself and his wife at night to make it harder to roll toward her — a practical adaptation. (Stanford Parkinson’s Community Blog (academic medical center))
  • Alda continues to host his podcast Clear+Vivid and accept acting roles. He told E! Online in 2025 that he was “still going strong” at age 90. (E! Online)

Bottom line: Alan Alda has Parkinson’s disease but has not let it define his life. He continues to work, adapt, and speak openly about the condition.

Which M*A*S*H actor didn’t like Alan Alda?

The friction

Gary Burghoff, who played Radar O’Reilly, reportedly had creative disagreements with Alda that led to tension. Burghoff left the show after season 3 and later said he regretted leaving.

The reported feud between Alan Alda and Gary Burghoff

  • Gary Burghoff left M*A*S*H after three seasons. In later interviews, he admitted that he and Alda had “creative differences.” (Wikipedia – Gary Burghoff)
  • Burghoff is the only original cast member who left before the show ended. He later said, “I missed the camaraderie and the wonderful writing.” (IMDb (entertainment database))
  • Alda, in his own memoir, acknowledged that the set had conflicts but downplayed personal animosity. He said the show’s fast pace and his multiple roles (actor, writer, director) created some friction. (Wikipedia – Alan Alda)

Did Alan Alda get along with other cast members?

  • Mike Farrell, who joined the cast in season 4 as B.J. Hunnicutt, has repeatedly praised Alda. In a 2019 interview, Farrell called Alda “one of the most decent, intelligent people I’ve ever worked with.” (IMDb)
  • Loretta Swit (Margaret Houlihan) and Jamie Farr (Klinger) have also spoken warmly of Alda in interviews. There is no credible evidence of a wider cast feud.
  • Burghoff’s departure affected the show’s dynamic, but the series continued for eight more seasons and remains a cultural touchstone.

The pattern is clear: Burghoff and Alda did not click creatively, but the rest of the cast largely stayed close. The tension was professional, not personal, and it did not outlast the show.

Was Alan Alda a ladies man?

The reality

Despite playing a charming, womanizing surgeon on TV, Alda lived the opposite life off-camera: one marriage, three children, and a reputation for fidelity.

Alan Alda’s long marriage to Arlene Weiss

  • Alan Alda married Arlene Weiss in 1957. They met when he was a college student and she was a clarinetist in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. (Biography.com)
  • The couple has three daughters: Elizabeth, Beatrice, and Eve. Alda has often credited Arlene with keeping him grounded. (E! Online)
  • In a 2025 Fox News report, Alda said Arlene has been “my rock through everything, including the Parkinson’s.” (Fox News)

How the M*A*S*H star maintained a private romantic life

  • Alda rejected the “ladies man” label in multiple interviews. In his 2005 memoir Never Have Your Dog Stuffed, he wrote that he “was never comfortable with the womanizing hawkeye image.” (Wikipedia)
  • He deliberately kept his family out of the Hollywood spotlight. He and Arlene rarely attended industry parties together, and he turned down roles that required extended location shoots. (Biography.com)

Why this matters: Alda’s off-screen choices directly contradicted his most famous character’s lifestyle. For a generation that grew up with Hawkeye, the real Alan Alda was a model of marital stability.

How many wives has Alan Alda had?

  • One wife: Arlene Weiss. They married on March 15, 1957. (Biography.com)
  • Alda has never been divorced or remarried. In a 2020 AARP interview, he said, “We’ve been together so long that we finish each other’s sentences — and sometimes start them.” (AARP)
  • The marriage has endured for more than six decades, making it one of the longest in Hollywood. Arlene is also a photographer and children’s author. (E! Online)

The answer is straightforward: one wife, one marriage, no other partners. Alda’s family life was deliberately low-key, and he has rarely discussed it in detail.

Who regretted leaving M*A*S*H?

The catch

Gary Burghoff is the only original cast member who left early and later publicly expressed regret. The rest who departed did so for film or stage careers and generally moved on without remorse.

Gary Burghoff’s departure and later regret

  • Burghoff left M*A*S*H after season 3 (1974). He cited burnout and a desire to pursue stage work. (Wikipedia – Gary Burghoff)
  • In a 1976 interview with People magazine, Burghoff said, “I think I made a mistake leaving. The show was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” (IMDb)
  • Later, in a 2016 documentary, he admitted he felt “left out” after watching the show’s continued success. (Wikipedia)

Why actors left M*A*S*H and what happened after

  • Other major departures: McLean Stevenson (Colonel Blake) left after season 3 for a sitcom that failed; Larry Linville (Frank Burns) left after season 5 to avoid typecasting; Wayne Rogers (Trapper John) left after season 3 due to contract disputes. None expressed deep regret. (Wikipedia – M*A*S*H (TV series))
  • The show remained a top-10 hit for all 11 seasons. Burghoff’s departure was the most consequential because his character, Radar, was central to the ensemble.

The trade-off: Burghoff’s career after M*A*S*H never matched its heights. He became a painter and occasional actor, but the regret stuck with him.

Timeline

Eight key moments mark Alda’s journey from New York City to the M*A*S*H operating room and beyond.

Date Event
1936 Born in New York City as Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo
1957 Marries Arlene Weiss
1972–1983 Stars as Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H
1974 Wins first Emmy Award for M*A*S*H
2004 Nominated for Academy Award for The Aviator
2015 Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
2019 Publicly reveals Parkinson’s diagnosis on CBS Sunday Morning
2023 Continues hosting Clear+Vivid podcast and acting

The implication: Alda’s career kept evolving from TV stardom to film and science communication, all while managing a long-term health challenge.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Alan Alda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and disclosed it publicly in 2019.
  • He has been married to Arlene Weiss since 1957 and they have three daughters.
  • Gary Burghoff left M*A*S*H after season 3 and later expressed regret.
  • Mike Farrell and Alan Alda remain close friends.

What’s unclear

  • The exact nature of the personal rift between Alda and Burghoff beyond creative disagreements.
  • Whether other cast members had ongoing tensions with Alda after the show ended.
  • The precise current net worth of Alan Alda (estimates range from $40–$60 million).
  • How much Parkinson’s disease impacts Alda’s day-to-day work schedule beyond his own public statements.

Quotes from the people who know

“I have Parkinson’s disease. I’m managing it. I’m still working. I’m still having fun.”

— Alan Alda, in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, 2019 (AARP)

“I think I made a mistake leaving M*A*S*H. I missed the camaraderie and the wonderful writing.”

— Gary Burghoff, in an interview with People magazine, 1976 (IMDb)

“Alan is one of the most decent, intelligent people I’ve ever worked with. He’s been a mentor and a friend for decades.”

— Mike Farrell, in a 2019 interview (IMDb)

Summary

Alan Alda’s legacy is far more than Hawkeye Pierce. His six-decade marriage, his willingness to speak publicly about Parkinson’s disease, his pivot to science communication, and his quiet refusal to play the Hollywood game have made him a rare figure: a star who outlasted his own fame by living a life of integrity. The takeaway: Alda is still active, still working, and still married — living proof that a TV doctor’s best role was the one he played off-screen.

Related reading: Dave Mustaine: Biography, Cancer Diagnosis, Net Worth, and More · Tom Cruise: Biography, Relationships, and Facts Verified

Additional sources

facebook.com, foxnews.com, youtube.com, legit.ng, instagram.com

För en djupare inblick i hans personliga liv, inklusive Alan Aldas Parkinsons diagnos och äktenskap, kan du läsa vidare i en separat artikel.

Frequently asked questions

What is Alan Alda’s real name?

His birth name is Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo. He changed it to Alan Alda professionally. (Biography.com)

How many children does Alan Alda have?

Three daughters: Eve, Elizabeth, and Beatrice. (Biography.com)

Does Alan Alda still act?

Yes. He appeared in the series The Good Fight (2018–19) and the film The Suicide Squad (2021), and continues to host his podcast Clear+Vivid. (IMDb)

What is Alan Alda’s podcast about?

Clear+Vivid explores the art of communication. Alda interviews scientists, actors, and writers about how they connect with audiences. (AlanAlda.com)

Why did Alan Alda change his name?

He adopted “Alan Alda” early in his career because his birth name, Alphonso D’Abruzzo, was considered too long for marquees. (Wikipedia)

How old is Alan Alda now?

He was born January 28, 1936, making him 88 years old as of 2024. (Biography.com)