History of Alan Alda in Timeline

Alan Alda is a celebrated American actor, director, and writer, renowned for his iconic role as Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce in the acclaimed CBS sitcom M*A*S*H (1972–1983). He not only starred in the series but also contributed significantly as a writer and director for numerous episodes. Alda's talent has earned him six Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. His accomplishments also include three Tony Award nominations, solidifying his place as a versatile and accomplished figure in the entertainment industry.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1903: Marie Curie's Nobel Prize

In 1903, Marie Curie won her first Nobel Prize, marking the beginning of the time period covered in Alan Alda's play "Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie".

1911: Marie Curie's Nobel Prize for chemistry

In 1911, Marie Curie won her Nobel Prize for chemistry, concluding the time period covered in Alan Alda's play "Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie".

1956: Meeting Arlene Weiss

In 1956, Alan Alda met Arlene Weiss, who was attending Hunter College. They later married.

1981: Directing and Starring in The Four Seasons

In 1981, Alan Alda directed and starred in the original version of "The Four Seasons".

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1994: Induction into the Television Hall of Fame

In 1994, Alan Alda was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.

2005: Narration of Fighting for Life TV special

In 2005, Alan Alda helped narrate "Fighting for Life", a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital-produced TV special.

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2005: Publication of Never Have Your Dog Stuffed

In 2005, Alan Alda published his first memoir, "Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: and Other Things I've Learned".

Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I've Learned

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September 2008: Participation in BBC Coverage of Large Hadron Collider Opening

In September 2008, Alan Alda participated in BBC coverage of the opening of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, Geneva.

2008: Describes his religious views

In 2008, Alan Alda stated that he does not like to be labeled as an agnostic. He argues he simply is not a believer and questions why people are so frightened of others who hold beliefs different from their own.

2008: Publication of Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself

In 2008, Alan Alda's second memoir, "Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself", was published, weaving together advice from public speeches with personal recollections.

Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself

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2009: Founder of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science

In 2009, Alan Alda was a founder of Stony Brook University's Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science.

2010: Visiting Professor at Stony Brook University

In 2010, Alan Alda became a visiting professor at Stony Brook University.

2011: Writing Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie

In 2011, Alan Alda wrote "Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie", a play focusing on Marie Curie's life between 1903 and 1911.

November 2014: Return to Broadway in Love Letters

In November 2014, Alan Alda returned to Broadway, playing Andrew Makepeace in the revival of "Love Letters" at the Brooks Atkinson Theater, alongside Candice Bergen.

2014: Honorary Fellow by the Society for Technical Communication

In 2014, Alan Alda was named an Honorary Fellow by the Society for Technical Communication and was awarded the American Chemical Society's James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public.

2015: Appearance in Bridge of Spies

In 2015, Alan Alda appeared as a lawyer, Thomas Watters, alongside Tom Hanks in Steven Spielberg's film "Bridge of Spies", which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

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2016: Performance in Horace and Pete

In 2016, Alan Alda received critical praise for his performance as Uncle Pete in Louis C.K.'s web series "Horace and Pete".

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2016: Awarded the National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal

In 2016, Alan Alda was awarded the National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal for communicating science on television and stage.

2017: Publication of If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?

In 2017, Alan Alda's third memoir, "If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating", was published.

If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?: My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating

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July 31, 2018: Announcement of Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis

On July 31, 2018, Alan Alda announced on CBS This Morning that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease three years earlier.

2018: Portrayal of Dr. Arthur Amiot in Ray Donovan

From 2018, Alan Alda portrayed psychiatrist Dr. Arthur Amiot in Showtime's "Ray Donovan".

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2018: Receiving the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award

In 2018, Alan Alda received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.

2019: Appearance in Marriage Story

In 2019, Alan Alda appeared in Noah Baumbach's film "Marriage Story" as a warm-hearted lawyer during divorce proceedings.

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2020: Continued role in Ray Donovan

In 2020, Alan Alda continued to portray psychiatrist Dr. Arthur Amiot in Showtime's "Ray Donovan".

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February 18, 2021: Receiving the Kavli Foundation's Science Communicator Award

On February 18, 2021, Alan Alda received the Kavli Foundation's first-ever Distinguished Kavli Science Communicator award for his pioneering work in science communication.