It’s not every day you get an inside look at the life of a beloved actor and his battle with a serious health condition. Recently, Joy Behar gave fans a heartfelt update on her close friend Alan Alda, who has been living with Parkinson’s disease. Joy, who is no stranger to speaking her mind, shared some touching moments about Alan and his wife Arlene, painting a vivid picture of their friendship.

Behind the Scenes With Joy Behar

During an episode of The View’s Behind the Table podcast, Joy Behar, the ever-witty co-host of ABC's The View, opened up about her friendship with Alan Alda. At 81 years old, Joy admitted, “I know this might sound like name-dropping, but I’m going to do it anyway.” She went on to say, “One of my friends, and this isn’t just some acquaintance; he’s a true friend, Alan Alda, and his wife, Arlene Alda. We go out to dinner all the time!”

A Friendship That Stands the Test of Time

Joy revealed that her friendship with Alan, who is now 88, dates back to their time working together on the film Manhattan Murder Mystery in the '90s. “We’ve been friends for years,” Joy explained. “My husband, Steve Janowitz, and I love spending time with Alan and Arlene. They’re such a delightful couple.”

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She added, “Alan and Arlene are the best laughers. They can’t help but laugh when Steve and I tell jokes. It’s such a joy to see them so happy, even with everything they’re going through.”

Living Life With Parkinson's Disease

Alan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015, yet he continues to work in Hollywood and remain active in his career. Despite the challenges that come with a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, Alan has shown incredible resilience and humor in the face of adversity.

“First of all, I just adore Alan Alda,” Joy shared with podcast listeners. “You know he’s dealing with Parkinson’s disease right now, but even with that, he’s still as funny and charming as ever. It’s inspiring to see someone handle such a tough situation with grace and humor.”

Joy Behar and Alan Alda friendship — John Lamparski/Getty Images

Two years ago, Alan gave fans an update on how he was coping with the disease. He admitted to facing some physical challenges but remained optimistic. “Tying shoelaces can be a challenge with stiff fingers,” Alan told People in October 2022. “Think of playing the violin while wearing mittens. The silver lining is that I keep getting more confident that I can always find a workaround.”

A Legacy of Friendship

Alan’s M*A*S*H costar Jamie Farr also shared a rare update on Alan’s life since his diagnosis. “I haven’t talked to him in a while, but I know his wife, Arlene, is looking after him with his Parkinson’s disease,” Jamie, 89, told Closer in December 2023. “Tony Danza, a good friend of mine, lives in Alan’s building. Tony tells me Alan jumps rope and does a lot of exercise.”

Several members of the M*A*S*H cast formed lasting friendships while working on the show. “I’ve been on a lot of shows where the actors aren’t really friendly with one another,” Jamie said. “But for our series, they built a special little area for us away from where they set up the cameras. We would sit there and run lines back and forth until we had those scenes crackling. It was truly a dream cast.”