Alan Alda’s 90th: Parkinson’s, Marriage, and M*A*S*H

There’s something about turning 90 that makes you stop and look back—and for Alan Alda, that view takes in a six-decade marriage, an iconic role as Hawkeye on M*A*S*H, and a public battle with Parkinson’s disease that he’s navigated with characteristic candor. In this piece, we sort through verified accounts of his health, his remarkably stable family life, and the real relationships behind the 4077th’s famous tent.

Born: January 28, 1936 ·
Known For: Captain Hawkeye Pierce on M*A*S*H ·
Parkinson’s Diagnosis: Revealed in 2018 ·
Spouse: Arlene Alda (married 1957) ·
Children: 3 daughters ·
Age: 90 (as of 2026)

Six key facts trace Alda’s life from his New York upbringing to his present-day status as a television icon and Parkinson’s advocate.

The data below summarizes the biographical details covered in this report.

What illness is Alan Alda suffering from?

Alan Alda lives with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder. He confirmed the diagnosis in a BBC News interview on July 31, 2018, saying he had been diagnosed three and a half years earlier. At age 82, he suspected something was wrong after noticing a sleep disorder—REM sleep behavior disorder, an early sign—and asked his doctor for a scan.

When was Alan Alda diagnosed with Parkinson’s?

• Initial diagnosis reportedly occurred around 2015, per the Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach Blog.
• He kept the condition private for years before going public in 2018.

The pattern: Alda chose to disclose on his own terms, using the CBS platform to normalize living with the disease.

How has Parkinson’s affected Alan Alda’s life?

In a 2025 interview with PEOPLE, Alda, then 89, described managing Parkinson’s as “almost a full-time job.” He also revealed he has prosopagnosia (face blindness). Still, he reported “making progress”—adding with a laugh, “I didn’t say in which direction.” Earlier, he told AdventHealth that the condition “hasn’t stopped my life at all” and that he’d “had a richer life than I’ve had up until now.”

The implication: Alda’s strategy—full transparency with a dose of humor—has kept him in the public eye while giving him room to manage his health privately.

Was Alan Alda a ladies man?

The short answer: No. Throughout his career, Alda cultivated a reputation as a feminist and a devoted husband, not a Hollywood playboy.

What was Alan Alda’s reputation on the set of M*A*S*H?

Co-stars and crew described Alda as respectful and collaborative. He directed and wrote episodes, often pushing for realistic portrayals of women and war. In a fan-compiled discussion on Reddit (low-confidence source), users noted he was “known as a feminist” on set.

Did Alan Alda have many relationships before marriage?

Alda married Arlene Weiss at age 21 in 1957. There are no credible reports of prior serious relationships. In interview after interview, he credits his stable marriage for his grounded perspective.

The trade-off: by marrying young and staying faithful, Alda traded the “ladies’ man” image for something rarer—a half-century partnership that’s become part of his public identity.

How many wives has Alan Alda had?

Alan Alda has had exactly one wife: Arlene Weiss. Married in 1957, they celebrated their 68th anniversary in 2025.

Who is Alan Alda married to?

Arlene Alda (née Weiss) is a photographer, author, and former actress. The couple met at a mutual friend’s party; Alda proposed after a few months. They raised three daughters: Eve, Elizabeth, and Beatrice.

How long have Alan and Arlene Alda been married?

As of 2026, the couple has been married for 69 years. PEOPLE reported in 2025 that Arlene has been present every step of Alda’s Parkinson’s journey.

What this means: In an industry where marriages often crumble, Alda’s long union is a statistical outlier—and a key to his emotional stability.

Which actor did Alan Alda not get along with on MASH?

The most documented tension involves Gary Burghoff, who played Radar O’Reilly. Burghoff left M*A*S*H after three seasons amid reported friction with Alda.

Why did Gary Burghoff and Alan Alda clash?

Burghoff later cited creative differences and a desire to leave. According to a fan-compiled relationship summary on Reddit (tier 3), the two had “a strained relationship.” Burghoff’s departure is often linked to Alda’s increasing influence as a director and writer.

Did Alan Alda have issues with any other M*A*S*H co-stars?

For the most part, no. Alda maintained positive working relationships with most of the regular cast. The key exception was Burghoff.

The catch: The drama behind the cameras was far less dramatic than the show’s plotlines—only one major falling-out, and even that was professional, not personal.

Do Mike Farrell and Alan Alda get along?

Yes—they became close friends during Farrell’s years on M*A*S*H (B.J. Hunnicutt) and remained friends afterward.

Did Loretta Swit and Alan Alda get along?

Loretta Swit (Margaret Houlihan) and Alda had a cooperative, respectful relationship. No credible reports of discord exist.

Who regretted leaving MASH?

Gary Burghoff has expressed regret about leaving the show early. In interviews collected by fan forums, he hinted that professional tensions played a role in his decision.

Why this matters: The cast of M*A*S*H was famously close-knit; Burghoff’s departure stands as the one notable fracture in an otherwise unified ensemble.

For Alan Alda, turning 90 underscores a career defined by humor, integrity, and resilience. His legacy isn’t just Hawkeye—it’s the way he’s handled a private diagnosis publicly, maintained a 69-year marriage, and kept his closest friendships intact. For fans of classic television and anyone facing a chronic illness, the takeaway is direct: Alda’s life proves that honesty and partnership matter far more than the spotlight.