Alan Alda, star of the television show “M*A*S*H,” and his wife, Arlene Alda, who he has been married to for 65 years, fell in love with each other while eating a cake that had fallen to the floor.
Despite financial hardships, the couple brought up their three kids in the cramped apartment.
Even though Alan has Parkinson’s disease, he and his wife have a happy life together at almost 90 years old.
With his wife of 65 years, Arlene Alda, veteran actor Alan Alda is commemorating the occasion of his 87th birthday today. Alan’s birthday is January 28; born in New York in 1936.
He met the woman who would become his wife of six decades in the most unusual way. In April 2015, Alan and Arlene shared their story about meeting on the “TODAY” show and how it only took one terrible dessert for them to fall in love.
With his wife of 65 years, Arlene Alda, veteran actor Alan Alda is celebrating his 87th birthday today. Alan’s birthday is January 28; born in New York in 1936.
He met the woman who would become his wife of six decades, most interestingly and unusually. In April 2015, Alan and Arlene shared their story about meeting on the “TODAY” show and how it only took one terrible dessert for them to fall in love.
The screenwriter paid a visit to the musician’s house, which served dessert to her friends at the time. “The evening hostess had made a rum cake, and she put it on the refrigerator to cool. The refrigerator shook, and the cake fell off the shelf and hit the floor. “Alan thought back on it.
At that same moment, he and Arlene removed themselves from the other guests and went to dig into the dessert mentioned. At that point, sparks took flight:
“Arlene and I were the only two people who went in with spoons and ate it off the floor. That’s how you know. When two people eat a cake off the floor, that’s it for life.”
Musician Arlene Alda and her husband, actor Alan Alda during “The Four Seasons” New York Premiere Press Party at Lincoln Center Library in New York City, New York ┃Source: Getty Images
After that encounter, Alan stated that he had fallen deeply in love with the woman who would become his wife, but he was unable to bring himself to get in touch with her after that:
“I was so intensely shy and inexperienced. I felt I needed to ask her out on the perfect date.”
Struggles with Money, Raising Three Daughters, and the Beginning of “M*A*S*H”
Alan and Arlene were married in 1957 in a local church in Houston, and after the wedding, they went on their honeymoon to Mexico. The actor from “Tower Heist” stated that they did not have enough money for their vacation getaway and that they had to combine their resources to save up:
“We could barely afford a wedding trip. We added up her savings and mine, figuring out how much we had to start life with; it came out to six hundred dollars between us.”
Arlene Alda and Alan Alda during Post Opening Night Party for “Jake’s Women” at Columbia Bar & Grill on April 15, 1993, in Hollywood, California ┃Source: Getty Images
The couple struggled to get by as they settled into their new life together in a cramped apartment in Manhattan that they had rented. Later, Arlene and Alan have three daughters named Elizabeth, Eve, and Beatrice, whom they raise despite financial difficulties and doing the best they can for them. They each took turns to be the parent at home with the children.
After that, in 1972, Alan was cast as Captain Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce in the American sitcom “M*A*S*H,” which is widely considered his most famous performance. His children were in the stage between childhood and adolescence at that time.
Because he lived on the West Coast and worked in New Jersey, he was required to hold a job that required him to be away from home. When asked whether he traveled to and from work daily for eleven years, Alan responded that he traveled “four months out of the year for about six years” during an interview that took place in April 2013. 1983 was the last year of the TV series.
Facebook/Eve Alda Coffey
The man, who had three daughters, disclosed that all three were still young and lived at home with him and his wife, Arlene. He and Arlene did not have any grandchildren. “want to uproot them. I was in a constant state of jet lag. But for several years, towards the end, I didn’t have to commute. My wife had to come out with me, and the kids would visit when they could,”
Alan remembered.
The offspring of the six-time Emmy Award winner continued his acting and directing careers. Beatrice and Elizabeth, her older sister, started as actors before switching.
Alan Alda with Arlene Alda and daughters Elizabeth, Beatrice, and Eve on January 1, 1981, in New York City ┃Source: Getty Images
Elizabeth, the eldest of the three siblings, quit show business to become “a teacher of the deaf and a special education teacher in general,” said the doting dad.
Beatrice, her younger sister, is now “a writer/director” and the author of the acknowledgment documentary. “Out Late” to her resume. Alan proudly stated, “They all have advanced degrees, and I’m very proud of them.
Parkinson’s diagnosis and a pleasant 80s lifestyle
Although Alan has had health issues over the years, he and Arlene, the mother of his children, remain married after 65 years of marriage. The director revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis on Facebook in July 2018.
Alan had, however, expressed his satisfaction with the diagnosis and stated that he wanted to share it with others “to encourage” them “to act.” The well-known celebrity claimed that he continued to be physically active despite the time that passed since his diagnosis.
Alan Alda and Arlene Alda attend the premiere screening of the HBO Special Alan Alda: YoungArts MasterClass With Discussion By Alda And YoungArts Alumni on September 5, 2014, in New York City ┃Source: Getty Images.
“My life is full. I act, I give talks. I help with the Alda Center for Communicating Science, and I do my podcast, which I love,” wrote the “Ray Donovan“ alum. When one of his followers received a Parkinson’s diagnosis, he told them to “keep moving!”
Alan takes his advice and participates in everyday sporting events. He acts like “He does “boxing lessons three days a week, plays singles tennis twice a week, and takes a mild pill – all Dr. recommended. I even juggle a bit,” I even do juggle a bit, “He wrote in a message on social media.
Facebook/Eve Alda Coffey
Even for pleasure, Alan dances with his grandson. He tweeted and released a video of the pair tap dancing in the garage in August 2019, “I love this video. My granddaughter and I tried a way-under-rehearsed tap routine when she was about 9. One performance only in the garage.”
The six-time Golden Globe winner marveled at the “menorah with candles and potatoes” Arlene had cooked for the couple in a post she published in December of that year. He also posted a photo of his beloved wife grinning for the camera as she held a food bowl in their kitchen.
In addition, the TV host enjoys playing wheel spins because he posted a video of him doing it in February 2017 while resting on a beach.
Alan also visits with old “M*A*S*H” co-stars such as actor Mike Farrell. In September 2022, to celebrate the TV series “50th anniversary,” the two Hollywood elites got back together. In an Instagram photo of him and Farrell clutching wine glasses and smiling into the camera, Alan wrote:
“Mike Farrell and I today toasting the 50th anniversary of the show that changed our lives – and our brilliant pals who made it what it was. MASH was a great gift to us.”
Alan Alda and Arlene Alda walk in Midtown Manhattan on November 3, 2010, in New York City ┃Source: Getty Images.
Alan talked about his regular Sundays, including catching up with old friends. He made a joke about doing the same things every day:
“I usually forget what day it is, so I can’t tell Sunday from the other day. I play; I work; I make my wife laugh six times; I write all the time.”
Since then, Alan has published 200 episodes of his podcast “Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda,” which he now produces full-time. The actor enjoys ladder ball, binge-watching TV shows, and playing chess with his wife, Arlene, at their Long Island home when he is not podcasting. Since receiving the Parkinson’s diagnosis in June 2022, Alan said, “Surprisingly well,” when asked how he was doing.
On March 15, 2022, he and Arlene celebrated their wedding anniversary. Their eldest daughter, Eve, paid them tribute on social media.
“These two crazy kids are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary today. Happy anniversary Mom and Dad! Love you both!” penned Eve.
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