Actor and filmmaker
Alan Alda, opened up about his experience of celebrating a major milestone while fighting a battle with Parkinson’s disease. The ‘M*A*S*H’ actor turned 90 this year on January 28, but faces incomprehensible struggles day after day.
Here’s a closer look at Alan Alda who is turning 90 as he talks about his struggle with Parkinson’s disease.
Alan Alda talks about his age and disease
Recalling his birthday in 2026, Alda talked about getting help from others for little things. “I was just thinking of the day, the actual day that I was 90 this year,” the veteran celebrity said at the ‘Conversation: More Rules for Aging’ event in New York City on May 21, per People, before adding, “We went out to dinner and the waiter came by at the end of the meal with a cupcake with a candle in it and led the singing, saying, 'Happy birthday, older gentleman.’” When he blew out the candles on the cupcake, the family reportedly said that he could do it without anyone’s help, marking the pivotal moment he let his age sink in.
Talking about how being older becomes a constant reminder, Alda realised this when he discovered that all his daughters, Eve, 67, Elizabeth, 65, and Beatrice, 64, are on Medicare. However, he does not count his age through the years he spent on earth, but he “counted by how many times a day somebody says, ‘Can I help you?’”
About Alan Alda
Alan Alda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 10 years ago, but he did not let it demotivate him. Taking it as an interesting puzzle to solve, the star has maintained a positive outlook on the neurological disorder.
Born in 1936, the actor-filmmaker is renowned for his roles in ‘The Four Seasons,’ ‘Same Time, Next Year,’ ‘The Longest Ride,’ ‘The Blacklist,’ ‘30 Rock,’ and many more.