Few actors are beloved as much — for as long — as Alan Alda. The son of Robert Alda, an old-time Hollywood star, Alda began acting as a teen and found work on the small and big screens in his twenties. But it wasn't until he signed on to seminal sitcom
M*A*S*H that he became a household name, eventually winning Emmys for acting, writing and directing. In real life, Alda is a private family man who makes his home in New Jersey, far from Tinseltown. After two decades spent mainly acting in and occasionally directing films, Alda returned to series TV in 2004 as a Republican senator on
The West Wing, a political in-joke, since in reality, he is a staunch liberal. The next year, at age 69, Alda scored an entertainment hat trick when he was nominated for an Oscar, an Emmy and a Tony. And in 2006, he scored his fifth career Emmy for his performance on the last season of
The West Wing.
Alan Alda Fast Facts:
- Had polio as a child.
- At age 15 performed Abbott-and-Costello-style routines with his father at the Hollywood Canteen.
- Made theatrical debut at age 17 in Charley's Aunt.
- Served in Korea in the Army Reserve.
- While a struggling actor, worked as a cab driver and a clown.
- Supported feminist causes and campaigned for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. Appointed in 1976 by President Gerald Ford to serve on the National Commission for the Observance of International Women's Year.
- Received honorary degrees from Drew University (1979), Columbia University (1979), Connecticut University (1980) and Kenyon College (1982).
- Received 25 Emmy nominations for the series M*A*S*H and became the first person to win awards for writing, directing and acting in episodes of the same series.
- Inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1994.
- Alan Alda Relationships:
- Eve Alda - Daughter
- Joan Alda - Mother
- Robert Alda - Father
- Elizabeth Alda - Daughter
- Arlene Alda - Wife
- Anthony Alda - Brother
- Beatrice Alda - Daughter
- Alan Alda Awards:
- 2005 Tony: Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play - Nominee
- 1967 Tony: Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical - Nominee
- 1992 Tony: Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play - Nominee
- 1979 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Comedy or Comedy-Variety or Music Series - Winner
- 1979 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 1982 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 1973 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 1974 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 1975 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Winner
- 1976 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Winner
- 1977 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 1978 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 1979 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 1980 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Winner
- 1981 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Winner
- 1982 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Winner
- 1983 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy - Winner
- 1974 Emmy: Best Lead Actor in a Drama - Nominee
- 1995 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Nominee
- 1975 Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1976 Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1977 Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series - Winner
- 1978 Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1980 Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1981 Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1982 Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1983 Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1979 Emmy: Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 1973 Emmy: Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1974 Emmy: Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Winner
- 1975 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1976 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1977 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1978 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1979 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1980 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1981 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1982 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Winner
- 1983 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1978 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama or Comedy Special - Nominee
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2006 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Winner
- 1994 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie - Nominee
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie - Nominee
- 1977 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1978 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1982 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2004 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role - Nominee
- College:
- Fordham University, Bronx, NY (BA, 1956)
