M*A*S*H star Alan Alda now has Parkinson's Disease

Alan Alda says he has Parkinson's disease

 

I wish we had response options other than "like." I appreciate knowing this sad news about someone I admire for both his acting and his work promoting science, but I don't "like" it.

 

Just a thumb twitching (so far) three years post-diagnosis is a blessing. Love the guy.

 

He was diagnosed with the disease three and a half years ago.

 

Amen.

 

I was impressed with his work on 30 ROCK. He seemed very chipper and lively, still able to go toe-to-toe with the brilliant Alec Baldwin. I remember another actor in the DVD commentary discussing how tough such scenes were, since the show's dialog was very fast-paced.

 

Yes it is.

 

Awful to hear, great actor.

 

He talks about it on his Twitter page.


Twitter

Darryl

 

No. Though he was diagnosed with the disease more than three years ago, he's announcing it publicly for the first time. Here's the complete CBS This Morning segment.

 

I love Alan Alda. His portrayal of Hawkeye Pierce was phenomenal, and I have enjoyed him in other roles as well.

It’s never good to hear news like this, but the man is 82 years old, continues to lead a full life, seems to be at peace with his illness and so far, has not let it stop him.

He has lived a good, long, productive life, and it appears that will continue at least for the short to medium term.

I hope we can all say that at 82, if we even make it that far!

 

Stay strong, Alan!

 

He was mesmerizing on The West Wing too.

 

He also had a great run on ER as a doctor and an old mentor to Kerry who discovers he’s in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

 

Yeah, I watched that this morning. Saw the twitching thumb, but it looks like Alda seems to be taking it all in stride. What the hell, he's had a pretty good run, I'd reckon, and doesn't look like he plans on slowing down any time soon. Hell, look at Michael J Fox...

 

And he's learning how to box! At 82.

 

I deal with it at 46. A combination of meds and attitude make all the difference.

 

And playing tennis a few times a week, and matching John Philip Sousa music!

 

"Horse hockey! I refuse to accept this news. Pierce, are you deaf? I'm giving your hijinks the heave-ho, post-haste! I'm the boss here! I can do that!"- Colonel Sherman Teeee Potter

 

Kinda sobering to think that, off the top of my head, less than half of the main M*A*S*H cast are still around (Alda, Farrell, Swit, Farr and Burghoff).

Alda will be alright...he looked at having Parkinson's and probably figured as Hawkeye did in "The General's Practitioner", "Don't let the bastard win!"

 

Sad news ...


Billy Connolly as well, Gerry Rafferty's musical partner for a few albums. Funny mans still gigging, but forgetful on stage.

 

This guy is class all the way.

 

Very sad. Noted film critic and historian Leonard Maltin also announced recently that he had Parkinson's as well:

Leonard Maltin: I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease four years ago - TV Tattle