Alan Alda is an American actor, screenwriter and director.
Early life
He was born as Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo on January 28th, 1936.
His adopted surname Alda is really constructed from the first letters of his real name: ALphonso and D’Abruzzo.
He spent his childhood in New York City, in Bronx.
At the age of 7 he was diagnosed with Polio and got excruciating treatments for the disease.
He and his family travelled all arround the USA because of his fathers job: he was a burlesque performer.
Alan went to Archbishop Stepinac High School and in 1956. he gratuated on Fordham University getting his bachelor of Arts degree in English.
His fathers job gave him an oportunity to study in Paris, act in Rome and perform on television in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Career development
His acting career started by joining an acting company at the Cleveland Play House after what he got several acting roles in Broadway shows.
In 1966. He was a member of the crew in the musical „The Apple Tree“ and was nominated for the Tony award as Best Actor.
He made his film debut in „Purlie Victorius“ and soon after he was starring in a lot of thrillers, dramas and TV shows.
He became world famous with his role of Hawkeye Pierce in the series „M.A.S.H.“ for what he gained five Emmy and six Golden Globe Awards.
He also screenwrited 19 episodes of „M.A.S.H.“ and directed even more.
Starting as an actor he gradually became a producer of this series and started taking a more serious tone dealing with political matters.
He directed the final episode „Goodbye, Farewell and Amen“ what became the single most watched episode ever broadcasted on any American network.
He was nominated for an Oscar for the role in „The Aviator“ and had an Emmy nomination for the series „West Wing“.
In 2011. he had a role in a Brett Ratner comedy film „Tower Heist“ with Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy in leading roles.
His latest movies were“ Bridge of Spies“ and „The longest Ride“ from 2015.
In 2016. he played in TV series „Horace and Pete“and „Broad City“.
Philantropic work
Alan and his wife Arlene founded the JENJO Foundation which focuses on early childhood and youth and violence prevention in that sensitive children age.
Again, the name of the foundation consist of the names of their two loved family members, their mothers JENia and JOan.
He founded the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science where he is still a visiting professor.
Personal life
When he was a student at Fordham university he met Arlene Weiss, his future wife. They got married in 1957.
They have three daughters and live in New Yersey and now are married for almost sixty years.
While he was shooting „M.A.S.H.“ they were separated a lot during that eleven years but it didn’t hurt their marriage at all.
Quick summary
Full name: Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo
Date of Birth: January 28, 1936.
Birthplace: New York, USA
Age: 80
Profession: actor, producer, director
Height: 1,88 m
Weight. 81 kg
Net worth: $18 million