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