Alan Alda Reveals he has Parkinson’s - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 07-31-2018, 12:06 PM

Alan Alda has Parkinson’s Disease: Tells "CBS This Morning" the Diagnosis Came Three Years Ago
by Greg Evans
July 31, 2018

Actor Alan Alda revealed today that he has Parkinson’s disease, the first time he’s publicly disclosed the diagnosis he received three and a half years ago.

The "M*A*S*H" actor made the announcement during an interview on "CBS This Morning", explaining that his recent spate of TV appearances promoting his new podcast led to his decision to go public.

“I had been on television a lot in the last couple of weeks talking about the new podcast,” Alda said today, “and I could see my thumb twitch in some shots and I thought, it’s probably only a matter of time before somebody does a story about this from a sad point of view, but that’s not where I am.”

Though he was careful not to diminish the serious, even incapacitating symptoms that Parkinson’s can bring, Alda said he wanted to warn people not to be “immobilized” by fear from the “very beginning.” He said he stays active, taking boxing lessons and even marching to Souza music.

Alda said he’s lived “a full life” since his diagnosis. “I’ve acted, I’ve given talks, I help at the Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook.”

The 13-year-host of PBS’ "Scientific American Frontiers" said he requested to be tested for the disease even before his doctor noticed symptoms. He’d read that one of the early symptoms of Parkinson’s was acting out your dreams. “I was having a dream that someone was attacking me and I threw a sack of potatoes at them, but really I threw a pillow at my wife.”

Alda said he approaches his condition as if it were a puzzle, figuring out each day “what do I have to adapt to, to carry on a normal life.”

https://deadline.com/2018/07/alan-al...go-1202437200/

Heenan Fan · 01-15-2019, 10:48 PM

I've never cared much for Alan Alda except for his work on the early years of MASH, ER, The Aviator movie, and maybe a couple of other things.

This is the first time I'm hearing of this. I hope he gets better, but at his age, Parkinson's is a virtual death sentence.

OH Nuts! · 01-15-2019, 11:19 PM

Sorry to hear this. Hope his doctors can slow the progression, as Indon’t believe this condition can be cured.

Chocolate Moose · 01-16-2019, 10:53 AM

Oh myyyyyy

07-31-2018, 12:06 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,153	Alan Alda Reveals he has Parkinson’s *Alan Alda has Parkinson’s Disease: Tells "CBS This Morning" the Diagnosis Came Three Years Ago* by Greg Evans July 31, 2018 Actor Alan Alda revealed today that he has Parkinson’s disease, the first time he’s publicly disclosed the diagnosis he received three and a half years ago. The "MASH" actor made the announcement during an interview on "CBS This Morning", explaining that his recent spate of TV appearances promoting his new podcast led to his decision to go public. “I had been on television a lot in the last couple of weeks talking about the new podcast,” Alda said today, “and I could see my thumb twitch in some shots and I thought, it’s probably only a matter of time before somebody does a story about this from a sad point of view, but that’s not where I am.” Though he was careful not to diminish the serious, even incapacitating symptoms that Parkinson’s can bring, Alda said he wanted to warn people not to be “immobilized” by fear from the “very beginning.” He said he stays active, taking boxing lessons and even marching to Souza music. Alda said he’s lived “a full life” since his diagnosis. “I’ve acted, I’ve given talks, I help at the Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook.” The 13-year-host of PBS’ "Scientific American Frontiers" said he requested to be tested for the disease even before his doctor noticed symptoms. He’d read that one of the early symptoms of Parkinson’s was acting out your dreams. “I was having a dream that someone was attacking me and I threw a sack of potatoes at them, but really I threw a pillow at my wife.” Alda said he approaches his condition as if it were a puzzle, figuring out each day “what do I have to adapt to, to carry on a normal life.*” https://deadline.com/2018/07/alan-al...go-1202437200/

01-16-2019, 10:53 AM	#4
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,900	Oh myyyyyy
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01-15-2019, 10:48 PM	#2
Heenan Fan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 19, 2016 Posts: 6,001	I've never cared much for Alan Alda except for his work on the early years of MASH, ER, The Aviator movie, and maybe a couple of other things. This is the first time I'm hearing of this. I hope he gets better, but at his age, Parkinson's is a virtual death sentence.

01-15-2019, 11:19 PM	#3
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Sorry to hear this. Hope his doctors can slow the progression, as Indon’t believe this condition can be cured.