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Alan Alda, known for his role as Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H*, has had a successful career spanning over half a century. He displayed his acting skills in his Emmy-winning portrayal of Senator Arnold Vinick in The West Wing. Alda’s difficult childhood, including battling polio and his mother’s schizophrenia, was overcome with the support of his family and faith. He served in the Army Reserves and drew on his experiences for his portrayal of Hawkeye Pierce. Alda continued to act and direct after M*A*S*H*, including in Woody Allen films and The Aviator, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. He is also a political activist and author of his memoirs.
Until recently, many believed that Alan Alda would forever be associated with his character, Hawkeye Pierce, who he played for 11 years on the hugely popular TV series M*A*S*H*. The series made Alan Alda a household name, but many will also remember his recent dramatic turns, such as Senator Arnold Vinick’s Emmy Award-winning portrayal of him in the last two seasons of The West Wing.
Alda certainly displayed his gift for conviction as an actor in this role, portraying the conservative senator with compassion and grace. It’s perhaps one of his most striking performances from him. Many fans of the show who were staunch Democrats said they would have quickly switched party alliances to vote for Vinick, had he been a real senator.
Alda’s passion for her work and her skill as an actor are evident throughout her career, which began in the 1950s. His work spanning over half a century is iconic, sensitive, humorous and graceful. To this day, Alan Alda continues to make us laugh, cry or think through his seamlessly constructed performances.
Alda had a difficult early childhood. He suffered from polio as a boy and his treatment for the disease included two years of total bed rest. His strong Italian Catholic family provided the necessary support. Alan Alda’s mother battled schizophrenia, but throughout, the presence of Alda’s father and their reliance on weekly attendance of Mass, which Alda still honors, kept him focused.
As a young man, Alan Alda earned a four-year degree from Fordham University and then joined the Army Reserves. He actually served in Korea for six months after the Korean War. So part of his portrayal of Hawkeye Pierce can be seen as being informed by some of his own experiences.
M*A*S*H*, anchored by Alda, enjoyed an eleven year run. The last six years of the show were often written, produced and directed by Alda. Under the direction of Alan Alda, the show remained comical, but took on a much more anti-war tone and became a platform for Alda to speak about his political beliefs.
During the M*A*S*H years Alan Alda also participated in numerous film projects. His best known films during this period include Neil Simon’s Same Time Next Year and The Four Seasons. Alan Alda directed and co-wrote the latter, and it remains one of his most popular projects of his own. It is a must-see comedy for lovers of Alda’s work and boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes Carol Burnett as Alda’s wife and Rita Moreno.
After M*A*S*H* Alda continued acting and directed many more films. Her latest was Betsey’s Wedding in 1990. She has also played a number of roles in popular Woody Allen films. In particular, his performance in Crimes and Misdemeanors is regarded by many critics as his “anti-nice guy” performance.
In 2004, Alan Alda was nominated for an Academy Award, for his role in Howard Hughes’ Martin Scorsese biopic, The Aviator. He has been nominated for numerous awards including Emmy, Tony, Golden Globe and Screen Actor’s Guild Awards. Alan Alda also wrote his memoirs in his 2005 autobiography Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: and Other Things I’ve Learned. He continues to be a keen actor, devoted family man and political activist.
