Alan Alda was born in New York City, the son of the distinguished actor, Robert Alda. His introduction to the theater came at the age of 16 in summer stock at Barnesville, Pennsylvania.

During his junior year at Fordham University, he studied in Europe where he performed on the stage in Rome and on television in Amsterdam with his father.

After college, he acted at the Cleveland Playhouse on a Ford Foundation grant. On his return to New York, he was seen on Broadway, off-Broadway and on television. He later acquired improvisational training with "Second City" in New York and "Compass" at Hyannis port. That background in political and social satire led to his work as a regular on television's "That Was the Week That Was."

For twenty years he was a member of the Board of the Museum of Television & Radio, and for ten years, from 1989 to 1999, he was a Trustee of the Rockefeller Foundation. In October, he will be inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

He starred in such movies include "Crimes and Misdemeanors," "Everyone Says I Love You," "Flirting With Disaster," "Manhattan Murder Mystery," "And The Band Played On," "Same Time, Next Year" and "California Suite," as well as "The Seduction of Joe Tynan," which he wrote, and also "The Four Seasons," "Sweet Liberty," "A New Life," and "Betsy’s Wedding," all of which he wrote and directed.

His wife, Arlene, is the author of twelve children's books. An award winning professional photographer, her work has appeared in a number of magazines and books. They have three daughters and seven grandchildren.

Filmography

• Diminished Capacity (2008)
• Resurrecting the Champ (2007)
• "The West Wing" (22 episodes, 2004-2006)
• The Aviator (2004)
• The Killing Yard (2001)
• Club Land (2001)
• What Women Want (2000)
• "ER" (5 episodes, 1999)
• The Object of My Affection (1998)
• Mad City (1997)
• Murder at 1600 (1997)
• Everyone Says I Love You (1996)
• Flirting with Disaster (1996)
• Jake's Women (1996)
• Canadian Bacon (1995)
• White Mile (1994)
• And the Band Played On (1993)
• Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993)
• Whispers in the Dark (1992)
• Betsy's Wedding (1990)
• Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
• A New Life (1988)
• Sweet Liberty (1986)
• "The Four Seasons" (1 episode, 1984)
• "M*A*S*H" (249 episodes, 1972-1983)
• The Four Seasons (1981)
• The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979)
• California Suite (1978)
• Same Time, Next Year (1978)
• Kill Me If You Can (1977)
• Annie and the Hoods (1974)
• 6 Rms Riv Vu (1974)
• Free to Be... You & Me (1974)
• Isn't It Shocking? (1973)
• Playmates (1972)
• To Kill a Clown (1972)
• The Glass House (1972)
• The Mephisto Waltz (1971)
• "Story Theatre" (1971)
• The Moonshine War (1970)
• Jenny (1970)
• The Extraordinary Seaman (1969)
• Paper Lion (1968)
• "Premiere" (1 episode, 1968)
• "Coronet Blue" (1 episode, 1967)
• Where's Everett (1966)
• "The Trials of O'Brien" (1 episode, 1965)
• "East Side/West Side" (1 episode, 1963)
• Gone Are the Days! (1963)
• "Route 66" (1 episode, 1963)
• "The Nurses" (2 episodes, 1963)
• "Naked City" (1 episode, 1962)
• "The Phil Silvers Show" (1 episode, 1958)
• "Secret File, U.S.A." (1955) TV Series

Awards

• Emmy Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series "The West Wing" 2006
• Writers Guild of America Valentine Davies Award 2000
• Outer Critics Circle Special Achievement Award Ensemble Performance "Art" 1998
• National Board of Review Award Best Supporting Actor "Crimes and Misdemeanors" 1989
• New York Film Critics Circle Award Best Supporting Actor "Crimes and Misdemeanors" 1989
• Directors Guild of America Award Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series "Where There's a Will There's  War" episode of "M*A*S*H" 1982
• Golden Globe Award Best Actor in a Television Series (Comedy or Musical) "M*A*S*H*" 1982
• People's Choice Award Favorite Male TV Performer 1982
• Directors Guild of America Award Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series "The Life You Save" episode of "M*A*S*H" 1981
• Emmy Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series "M*A*S*H" 1981 - 82
• Golden Globe Award Best Actor in a Television Series (Comedy or Musical) "M*A*S*H*" 1981
• NATO Star of the Year Award 1981
• People's Choice Award Favorite All-Around Male Entertainer 1981
• People's Choice Award Favorite Male TV Performer 1981
• Golden Globe Award Best Actor in a Television Series (Comedy or Musical) "M*A*S*H*" 1980
• Humanitas Prize 30 minute "M*A*S*H" 1980
• People's Choice Award Favorite All-Around Favorite Male Entertainer 1980
• People's Choice Award Favorite Male TV Performer 1980
• Golden Globe Award Best Actor in a Television Series (Comedy or Musical) "M*A*S*H*" 1979
• People's Choice Award Favorite Male TV Performer 1979
• Emmy Outstanding Writing in a Comedy or Comedy-Variety or Music Series "Inga" episode of "M*A*S*H" 1978 - 79
• Directors Guild of America Award Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series "Dear Sigmund" episode of M*A*S*H" 1976
• Emmy Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series "Dear Sigmund" episode of "M*A*S*H" 1976 - 77
• Golden Globe Award Best Actor in a Television Series (Comedy or Musical) "M*A*S*H*" 1975
• People's Choice Award Favorite Male TV Performer 1975
• Golden Globe Award Best Actor in a Television Series (Comedy or Musical) "M*A*S*H*" 1974
• Emmy Actor of the Year--Series "M*A*S*H" 1973 - 74
• Emmy Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series "M*A*S*H" 1973 - 74
• Theatre World Award "Fair Game for Lovers" 1964