Alan Alda Net Worth

Alan Alda was acting even before electricity was invented. He has been around forever, and even though he is knocking on the door of 90, he still shows no signs of hanging up his acting boots just yet.

How about the Alan Alda net worth figure?

Alda has had a fascinating life and career, which I will look at first before summarizing Alan Alda’s total net worth. 

So, let’s kick this off by going back right to the very beginning.

Early Life and Education

Alan Alda was born on January the 28th, 1936, as Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo. It will be no surprise that his father had Italian heritage. His mother, Arlene Weiss, on the other hand, was of Irish descent. That makes Alan Alda an interesting mix of different cultures.

Alan’s father worked in the theatre, which undoubtedly played a part in his son developing an interest in acting. Alan was born in the Bronx, New York, and spent his entire childhood in New York. He attended a Catholic school in White Plains and then went on to study English at Fordham University.

Whilst still at school, his parents divorced, and his father went on to marry the actress Flora Marino. They had a child together, Anthony, who is Alan’s half-brother. He is Alan’s only sibling. And, like the rest of the family, chose to enter into the world of acting.

But back to Alan…

At university, Alan explored his interest in entertainment by working for the university radio station, WUFC. He also spent time overseas, where he performed in a play in Rome. As well as appearing in a TV show in Amsterdam with his father.

Once he graduated from Fordham University, Alan served in the Navy as a gunner and saw service in Korea. He left the military in the late 50s and began pursuing his real love, acting.

This takes us to the beginning of Alan Alda’s life’s work. 

Career

Alan began his professional acting career by joining several theatre groups and companies. This is where he cut his teeth as an actor. And his passion for live performing is something that never left him despite all his appearances on TV and in movies.

Some of his earliest performances were with the Cleveland Play House between 1958 to 1959. However, his big break was in 1964 when he played Felix in “The Owl and the Pussycat” on Broadway. Controversially he had to kiss an African American actress as part of the play. For which he received a lot of hate mail.

Thankfully these were very different times…

Alan Alda went on to perform many other roles in a variety of plays. However, for a long period, his intense TV and movie schedule prevented him from finding the time for live performances. Fortunately, that changed in 2014, as this was when he once more took to Broadway to play the part of Andrew Makepeace in “Love Letters” opposite the incredible Candice Bergen.

Alda has a huge body of work behind him which includes 29 movies and countless appearances on TV, including both as a guest and as a main character in several TV series. And all of it has contributed to the current Alan Alda net worth figure.

Consequently, it’s hard to know where to start…

But we think the best place is with his debut TV performance in 1959 on “The Phil Silvers Show” as Carlyle Thomson III, in the episode, “Bilko the Art Lover.”  

He then had to wait until 1962 for his next TV appearance, which was in “Naked City,” playing the role of a young poet. However, the following year things really took off. He appeared in three more shows. But more importantly, he made his movie acting debut in the comedy, “Gone Are the Days!”.

This provided an early glimpse into Alan’s natural aptitude for comedy.

From 1963 to 1972, he then appeared in a further few movies and made six more TV performances. So, alongside his many stage acting gigs, it is fair to say that he was a regular-working and well-respected actor.

Then everything changed…

In 1972, he got the acting role of a lifetime.

This was the year he was cast as Captain Benjamin Franklin Pierce, better known as Hawkeye. The role was that of a surgeon who worked on the frontline during the Korean War in a fictional medical unit. His character worked in the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, which became known by the acronym “M*A*S*H” in the TV series.

The show ran for an incredible 11 years, and Alan Alda appeared in 256 episodes. It won him five Emmys and six Golden Globes. M*A*S*H was the most-watched American TV show at the time. Additionally, the last show broadcast in 1983, written and directed by Alan Alda, still holds the record for the largest TV series audience, at 106 million views.

In essence, M*A*S*H made him…

 Alan Alda was now an internationally recognized actor. And when he finished the series, doors were wide open for him in Hollywood. And for just about anywhere, he wanted to ply his trade.

Interestingly, during his time working on M*A*S*H, he still found the time to appear in four movies. And he also made five TV appearances. Even more remarkable is that in 1979 he also wrote the movie, “The Seduction of Joe Tynan.” Then in 1981, he upped his game still further. Alda not only wrote but also performed and directed “The Four Seasons.” 

It is not easy to pick the highlights of Alan Alda’s career after M*A*S*H. Because there have simply been so many, however, we would say that his fantastic performance playing Senator Arnold Vinick in “West Wing” is worthy of mention. His role ran for 28 episodes between 2004 to 2005. 

It proved popular with fans and critics, rightly earning him an Emmy for his efforts.

We also loved his role as Alan Fitch in “The Blacklist” between 2013 to 2014.

On to the big screen…

As far as movies are concerned, his performance in the 1989 Woody Allen comedy, “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” was outstanding. He received a BAFTA nomination, though sadly, he did not win. 

However, we believe his best role was as Senator Owen Brewster in the 2004 movie, “The Aviator.” It was a movie about the eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. The movie received a total of 11 Oscar nominations, of which Alan Alda was one of the nominees. Unfortunately, on that occasion, he lost out to Morgan Freeman.

We honestly hope that one day, Alda will win an Oscar.

Personal Life

Alan Alda is one of the few famous actors and celebrities that has lived and continues to live a well-grounded and scandal-free life. And his decision to marry Arlene Weiss, whom he met while studying at Fordham University, was doubtless a contributing factor to his settled private life.

The couple married on March 15th, 1957, and happily have been married ever since. They are now approaching 70 years married, which is phenomenal, and I hope they reach that 70th milestone.

The kids?

During their marriage, they had three daughters, Eve, Elizabeth, and Beatrice. All of them appeared in “The Four Seasons” with their father. Alan also has eight grandchildren, with two of them showing an interest in following their grandfather into acting.

On a final insider note, Alan was brought up as a Catholic. And although he still sometimes prays, he says this is usually in a moment of fear or weakness. He considers himself to be a non-believer. Though, he does not like the title of agnostic as he feels it is an overly fancy and unnecessary label.

Health and Illness

Alan Alda has been relatively lucky as far as his health and his family’s health are concerned. However, he has not entirely escaped from having to face health issues.

The first problem he had to endure was at just seven years old when he contracted polio. Alan had to undergo a series of painful treatments. But eventually, he came through it with no permanent issues. 

The second problem he had was associated with his mother, who was diagnosed as a schizophrenic. And you know what they say.

Everything bad comes in threes…

The third problem came relatively late in his life. To be precise, in 2015, when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He decided to keep it private, which he, of course, is perfectly entitled to do. But three years later, he went public with his illness on the CBS This Morning Show on July the 31st, 2018.

We think it is something that will almost certainly help other people in the same situation, and we commend him for it. 

Alan Alda Net Worth and Salary

So, Alda has accumulated a significant amount of wealth, which is hardly surprising given the number of movies and TV appearances he has made. He also has the earnings from writing and directing to be added to that figure.

However, there is no doubt that a large part of his net worth was down to the salary he received for his work in M*A*S*H. During this time, it is believed that he earned, in some of the later episodes, as much as $300,000 for a single show. That was unprecedented at the time. And it is an indication of not only how successful the show was but also the integral part he played in it. 

The fact is that without Alan Alda, there would have been no M*A*S*H. And it is thought this one series alone brought in more than $6 million. 

So, what is Alan Alda’s current net worth?

The consensus from several different sources puts the figure at between $40 to $50 million.

Real Estate

Alan Alda is a bit of an outlier compared to most of his acting peers. That is because, despite the amount of time he spent in Hollywood, he has always maintained his primary residence in New York. When he was appearing in M*A*S*H, he commuted between Los Angeles for a staggering 11 years. Choosing to spend his weekend in New York.

He now lives in Manhattan’s Park Millennium Building. Alda originally bought a pair of adjoining apartments in 2000 for $4.9 million. They cover a total of just over 1,400 square feet. And that is plenty of space, but in 2008, he took the opportunity to buy a third adjoining apartment for $3 million. That gave him an extra 1,200 square feet, which he will probably need for Thanksgiving, considering the size of his family!

So he really never invested anywhere else?

At one point, Alan Alda did have properties in California. There were close to Hollywood, where he would spend his time when working. He had a house in Bel Air and a house in Brentwood, which he sold for $1 million and $1.35 million in 2003 and 2005, respectively.

Legacy

Alan Alda will rightly be remembered for his incredible body of work, spanning more than 60 years. And he will always be most remembered for playing Hawkeye in M*A*S*H, but there is much more to Alan Alda than his work as an actor, writer, and director.

Did you know…

From a young age, he was a champion of women’s rights at a time when very few other men were interested in the cause. And he was rewarded for his efforts by being given a position on the International Women’s Year Commission. 

Additionally, he will be remembered for his involvement in several charities, particularly for his work for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Love M*A*S*H?

You’re not alone! This truly was a groundbreaking show both in terms of popularity, as well as the comedic joy it brought to so many viewers.

But Alan Alda was not the only notable star in this series by any means! So, why not take a look at a few more of our latest guides to M*A*S*H actors’ and actresses’ net worth today? Starting with his co-stars, Harry Morgan Net Worth, Mike Farrell Net Worth, and, like Alda, an equally impressive philanthropist, William Christopher Net Worth.

Or how about the beautiful Loretta Swit Net Worth and Rita Wilson Net Worth? We also have a comprehensive guide to the infamous Larry Linville Net Worth, known for being a bit of a nemesis to Alda on set!

And let’s not forget Wayne Rogers Net Worth, David Ogden Stiers Net Worth, and, with more minor roles and guest appearances, Gregory Harrison Net Worth, Ned Beatty Net Worth, and Gerald McRaney Net Worth.

Finally, perhaps you’d like to learn a little more about his daughter in our in-depth guide to Beatrice Alda Net Worth in 2023.

OK, back to…

Final Thoughts

Looking back at Alan Alda’s life and career has been a lot of fun. We have enjoyed taking some time to watch some of his classic roles, and it has reminded us of what a great actor he is. 

We hope he continues to fill our screens. And we also hope he is a long way off from retiring, even though he more than deserves to put his feet up.

Alana Alda’s net worth is undoubtedly in keeping with the entertainment he has given us over the years. But we hope this hard-working actor has enjoyed all the comfort his wealth has given him over the years. 

Few deserve it more!

FAQs

What was Alan Alda’s breakout role?

Alan Alda’s breakout role was as Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce in the television show M*A*S*H, which aired from 1972 to 1983. His portrayal of the character earned him several awards and nominations.

Has Alan Alda won any awards during his career?

Yes, Alan Alda has won numerous awards during his long and illustrious career. He has won six Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award, among others.

What is Alan Alda’s connection to science communication?

In 2009, Alan Alda founded the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University in New York. The Center aims to improve scientific communication between researchers and the general public through workshops, lectures, and training. Alda has also written several books on science communication, including If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?

What charities does Alan Alda support?

Alan Alda supports several charitable causes, including organizations that support women’s rights, environmental conservation, and medical research. Some of the organizations he has supported include Women’s Refugee Commission, NRDC, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

What is Alan Alda’s connection to Parkinson’s disease?

In 2015, Alan Alda announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Since then, he has become a vocal advocate for Parkinson’s research and has been working to raise awareness about the disease.

Has Alan Alda written any books?

Yes, Alan Alda has written several books, including his memoirs “Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I’ve Learned” and “Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself”. He has also written several books on science communication, including “If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?”.

What films has Alan Alda directed?

Alan Alda has directed several films, including “The Four Seasons,” “Sweet Liberty,” and “Betsy’s Wedding.” He has also directed episodes of popular television shows, including “M*A*S*H” and “The West Wing.”

What causes has Alan Alda advocated for?

Alan Alda has been an advocate for several causes throughout his career, including women’s rights, environmental conservation, and medical research. He has also been vocal in supporting science education and communication.

What is the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science?

The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science is a center focused on improving scientific communication and education. It was founded by Alan Alda in 2009 and is based at Stony Brook University in New York. The center aims to train scientists and researchers in effective communication to help improve public understanding of science.

What is Alan Alda’s connection to VISA?

Alan Alda served as the spokesperson for VISA credit cards in the 1980s and 1990s. His commercials for VISA were incredibly popular and helped to make him one of the best-known faces on TV at the time.

What other TV shows has Alan Alda appeared in?

Aside from his role on “M*A*S*H,” Alan Alda has appeared in a variety of TV shows throughout his career, including “The Blacklist,” “The West Wing,” and “30 Rock.”

What is Alan Alda’s connection to the Me Too movement?

Alan Alda has been vocal in his support for the Me Too movement and has publicly spoken out against sexual harassment and assault. In 2018, he was honored at the Gloria Awards, which recognized his advocacy work for women.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement and causes tremors and stiffness. It is caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain and currently has no cure, though treatments exist to help manage symptoms.

What was Alan Alda’s role in Korea?

Alan Alda served in the US Army during the Korean War for six months from 1957 to 1958. He trained as a gunnery officer and served in Korea during his time in the military.

What is the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research?

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease. It was founded by actor Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with the disease in 1991. The foundation raises funds for research and works to support Parkinson’s patients and their families.

What is Alan Alda’s connection to environmental conservation?

Alan Alda has been a vocal advocate for environmental conservation throughout his career. He has supported several organizations focused on environmental issues, including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), which focuses on protecting natural resources and public health.

What is Alan Alda’s most recent project?

Alan Alda’s most recent project is the podcast “Clear+Vivid,” which he hosts. The podcast focuses on communication and features interviews with a variety of guests, including actors, scientists, and experts in various fields. Alda also continues to support various charitable causes and is active in his work with the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science.