’70s TV Icon Reveals His Secret to Living with Health Struggles

Actor Alan Alda has never been one to shy away from honesty, whether it was delivering sharp one-liners as Hawkeye on “M*A*S*H” or cracking jokes in real life. Now, at nearly 90 years old, the award-winning actor, director, and writer is opening up about how he’s handling Parkinson’s disease. Alda first went public with his diagnosis in 2018, and in a new exclusive with People, he’s proving that laughter and resilience are still his secret weapons.

Getty (Vinnie Zuffante)

Getty (Kevin Winter)

Finding the Funny in the Tough Moments

If there’s one thing Alda refuses to let Parkinson’s steal, it’s his sense of humor. “I think the main thing that keeps me alive is laughing,” he said, summing it up perfectly. And he’s not talking about polite chuckles; he means full-on finding the comedy in life’s curveballs. 

Case in point? The night he accidentally fell into the dishwasher. Instead of panic, Alda turned it into a punchline: “I’m fine. It was only on rinse cycle.” Guests laughed, and he admits, “Fortunately, when you’re old, pretty much any bizarre thing you say gets a laugh.” That kind of lightheartedness isn’t just charming… it’s survival.

Treating Parkinson’s Like a Puzzle

Alda essentially admits the disease has become a lot to deal with, but rather than dwell on the frustration, he reframes it as a game. “Almost every day I’m finding a new way to do something,” he explained. “It’s a little like a game. I’ve found whatever the little problem is, if I keep at it, I can eventually solve it, and then I feel like a million bucks. It’s a way to have a good time under poor circumstances.” It’s classic Alda; turning obstacles into challenges and then finding joy in the victory, no matter how small. That approach not only keeps him moving forward but also gives fans a masterclass in resilience.

Getty (Gregg DeGuire for Turner)

Still Creating, Still Inspiring

Even with Parkinson’s, Alda hasn’t slowed down when it comes to staying connected and creative. He continues to host his popular podcast “Clear + Vivid,” where he explores the power of communication and human connection. More recently, he also popped up for a cameo in Tina Fey’s remake of his 1981 movie “The Four Seasons,” a fun nod to his long Hollywood history. For someone who could easily retreat from the spotlight, Alda is instead choosing to keep showing up; with humor, heart, and plenty of wisdom to share.

Alan Alda’s openness about his health struggles doesn’t feel heavy… it feels hopeful. By treating challenges like puzzles, leaning on laughter, and continuing to create, he’s showing that life doesn’t have to stop just because circumstances get tough. If anything, his story is proof that joy, creativity, and a well-timed joke can be powerful medicine.

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