Back in 2018, Alan Alda, the beloved actor and writer, shared a personal and unexpected revelation with the world. He opened up about his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, a condition that has since become a part of his life. Despite the challenges, Alan has continued to inspire fans by staying active and involved in projects that matter to him. Let's dive into his journey, filled with courage, determination, and a whole lot of grace.
When Did Alan Alda First Learn About His Parkinson’s Diagnosis?
Alan Alda first learned about his Parkinson’s diagnosis back in 2015. However, he chose to keep it private for a while, revealing it publicly only in July 2018 during an episode of CBS This Morning. This was a significant moment, one where Alan decided to take control of the narrative surrounding his health. By coming forward, he not only educated the public about Parkinson’s but also demonstrated how one can face adversity with strength and optimism.
During that CBS interview, Alan reflected on his life post-diagnosis with remarkable positivity. He said, “I’ve had a full life since then. I’ve acted, I’ve given talks, I help at the Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook. I started this new podcast. And I noticed that – I had been on television a lot in the last couple of weeks talking about the new podcast – and I could see my thumb twitch in some shots and I thought, it’s probably only a matter of time before somebody does a story about this from a sad point of view, but that’s not where I am.”
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What’s truly remarkable is how Alan didn’t let the diagnosis slow him down. Instead, he leaned into his passions and continued to thrive, proving that Parkinson’s doesn’t define him.
The legendary M*A*S*H actor also shared that his journey to diagnosis began with something unusual—distressing dreams. “I was having a dream that someone was attacking me and I threw a sack of potatoes at them. But what I was really doing was throwing a pillow at my wife,” Alan revealed. It was this vivid dreaming, combined with other symptoms, that prompted him to seek medical advice.
Alan Alda's Immediate Reaction to the Diagnosis
When Alan first received the diagnosis, his response was anything but typical. Instead of succumbing to despair, he took action. In an interview with AARP in May 2020, Alan explained, “I began to exercise. A lot of people hear they have Parkinson’s and get depressed and panicky and don’t do anything, just hoping it’ll go away. It’s not going to, but you can hold off the worst symptoms.”
Alan’s proactive approach is nothing short of inspiring. He didn’t just sit around waiting for the disease to take its course; instead, he embraced movement as a way to combat the symptoms. Whether it’s walking, biking, or working out on a treadmill, Alan has made physical activity a cornerstone of his daily routine. And that’s not all—he also incorporates music and specialized workouts tailored to Parkinson’s patients, including boxing lessons designed to help with coordination and strength. “It’s not the end of the world when you get this diagnosis,” Alan emphasized, reminding everyone that there’s always hope and room for improvement.
Alan Alda: A Voice in the Spotlight
Since his diagnosis, Alan has continued to make waves in both the entertainment industry and beyond. Married to his beloved wife Arlene Alda since 1957, Alan has launched a podcast called “Clear+Vivid,” where he shares insights and stories with his audience. He’s also kept up his acting career, starring in projects like 2019’s Marriage Story and 2022’s Ray Donovan: The Movie.
When asked about his diagnosis in June 2022, Alan joked to The New Yorker, “It was seven years ago that I was diagnosed, and I have a tremor, which means that I can play any character as long as he has a tremor.” This light-hearted take on his condition shows Alan’s ability to find humor even in challenging situations.
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In Marriage Story, his character Bert Spitz also had a tremor, though it wasn’t explicitly mentioned in the script. “It was a very slight tremor at that point,” Alan explained. Later, when he worked with Liev Schreiber on Ray Donovan, the writers decided to incorporate his tremor into the storyline. “So, his therapist had the same problem that his brother had, which they thought would be interesting,” Alan shared.
Challenges and Triumphs Along the Way
While Alan’s journey has been filled with successes, it hasn’t been without its challenges. In October 2022, he opened up to People about one of the more frustrating aspects of living with Parkinson’s: tying shoelaces. “Think of playing the violin while wearing mittens,” Alan said, describing the difficulty of dealing with stiff fingers. Yet, he remains optimistic, adding, “The silver lining is that I keep getting more confident that I can always find a workaround.”
Alan’s resilience hasn’t gone unnoticed by his friends. In April 2024, Joy Behar shared an update on her longtime friend during an episode of The View’s “Behind the Table” podcast. “First of all, I just adore Alan Alda,” she said. “You know he’s suffering right now with Parkinson’s disease but even with that, he’s hysterical laughing and stuff. We still go out to dinner all the time.”
