Alan Alda Says Laughter Helps Him Live With Parkinson’s at 90

At 90, actor Alan Alda is continuing to live with Parkinson’s disease while refusing to let the condition define who he is.

The beloved star of M*A*S*H recently spoke openly about his health, aging and the importance of humor in dealing with difficult moments.

A Diagnosis That Did Not Define Him

Alda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s after noticing an unusual change in his sleep. He began physically acting out his dreams, including one episode in which he dreamed that someone was attacking him and threw a pillow at his wife, Arlene.

At the time, he had none of the symptoms many people commonly associate with Parkinson’s, such as tremors or problems with his voice.

He eventually decided to speak publicly about his diagnosis, choosing to confront the condition rather than hide it.

“Reality Is My Friend”

In an interview with CBS News, Alda explained that accepting reality has become an important part of his approach to the disease.

He does not pretend that Parkinson’s is easy. He sometimes needs help with ordinary tasks, including getting dressed, and admits that losing some independence can be frustrating.

But instead of allowing those difficulties to become his identity, he treats them as problems that can be approached and solved.

Finding Humor in Difficult Moments

For Alda, humor remains one of his most useful tools.

He jokes about the ways Parkinson’s can interfere with everyday activities, including using a computer. When his hand moves unexpectedly across the keyboard, he imagines that “Dr. Parkinson” is responsible.

That ability to laugh, he says, helps him deal with frustration and continue moving forward.

A Life Built Around Connection

Alda has spent much of his career emphasizing the importance of human connection.

He founded the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University to help scientists and health professionals communicate more clearly with the public.

He also hosts the Clear+Vivid podcast, where he has conversations with a wide range of guests.

Still Looking for the Next Solution

Alda has been married to Arlene for nearly 70 years, and they have three daughters and eight grandchildren.

Despite the challenges of Parkinson’s, he continues to look for new ways to adapt. He describes the process almost like solving a puzzle: if one approach does not work, he wants to know what else he can try.

His message is not that aging or illness can simply be laughed away. Instead, Alda’s experience shows how acceptance, curiosity, humor and close relationships can help a person keep living fully despite difficult circumstances.

Source: CBS News, October 4, 2026.