One of the show's only prominent Black characters (diversity was admittedly and regrettably never the show's strong suit), Nurse Bayliss appears in 26 episodes across the show's first four seasons. [55] Furthermore, he does not like to be labeled as an agnostic, stating in an interview for the 2008 question section of the Edge Foundation website, that it was too fancy a word for him. I think [it was] the morning of the shoot. [4] His father was of Italian descent (D'Abruzzo is a toponymic surname) and his mother was of Irish ancestry.[5]. Metcalfe was an actor turned director-producer who was recruited t Gurney's Love Letters on Broadway". Age during show: 39-41. More Broadway appearances followed over the next few years, in such productions as The Owl and the Pussycat and The Apple Tree. Costar Jamie Farr, who played Army Cpl. Maxwell Q. Klinger, is a Navy veteran. Cast of the TV series "M*A*S*H" pictured in a 1972 season premier photo. [1], Alda was born Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo on January 28, 1936, in the Bronx,[2] New York City. After attending ROTC and graduating from Fordham University in 1956, Alda was commissioned in the Army Reserve. The 82-year Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actor became the 55th recipient of the annual Life Achievement award at the upcoming Screen . "[52] A year after his graduation, on March 15, they were married. In his 1981 autobiography, Jackie Cooper (who directed several early episodes) wrote that Alda concealed a lot of hostility beneath the surface, and that the two of them barely spoke to each other by the time Cooper's directing of M*A*S*H ended.[24]. She never had the biggest roles in her various "M*A*S*H" appearances, but fans of the show will immediately recognize the name of Nurse Able and recall her work at the 4077th. Age during show: 38-48. Around this time, rumors circulated that Alda was considering running for the United States Senate in New Jersey, but he denied this. He also actually served in the military during the Korean War. The TV series M*A*S*H was based on the Army's Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals, abbreviated MASH. Loretta Swit tried to quit this show during the tenth season, because she was up for one the leads in Cagney & Lacey (1981), but neither CBS nor 20th . "I think that seeps into the unconscious of the audience.". . It was usually only a satirical swipe. Alda's father was actually in burlesque shows, so his family was often . Although Houlihan's history as a self-proclaimed "army brat" made her more of an antagonist in the show's early seasons, Swit carried through a wide range of compelling emotional arcs by the time "M*A*S*H" concluded. In 1956, Alda received his Bachelor of Arts degree. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. The series saw a lot of changeover in its eleven years, with popular characters frequently leaving and being replaced by new faces. Another of the four stars to make it through all eleven seasons of "M*A*S*H," Loretta Swit played head nurse Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the show. Age during show: 3445. He later became a member of the improvisational group Second City in Chicago. Alan Alda is an award-winning American film and TV actor, director, and writer. I just don't have enough information to convince me I shouldn't work with him. His most recent starring role was as Detective Louie Provenza in TNT's "The Closer" and "Major Crimes." Alan Alda (Hawkeye) and Larry Linville (Frank Burns) never did get along on the MASH set. [22] Anticipating the fourth season, Alda and the producers sought a replacement actor for the surrogate parent role embodied in the character Colonel Blake. That didn't stop him, however, from delivering a great performance in the 2019 Oscar-nominated Scarlett Johansson/Adam Driver film "Marriage Story." Apparently he "didn't know how long . - Age: 85 - Birthdate: Jan. 28, 1936. The "M*A*S*H" series finale was the most-watched TV episode of all-time, a huge feat in itself considering the . There is perhaps no "M*A*S*H" character more beloved that Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reilly, the 4077th's company clerk played spectacularly by Gary Burghoff. Back in 2004 I attended a function in Virginia where Lindsay was the guest of honor. [citation needed] Alda disagreed with this assessment. Alda's film credits include California Suite (1978), The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979), The Four Seasons (1981), Sweet Liberty (1986), A New Life (1988), Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) and The Aviator (2004). Summing up the 11 years her spent on the show, Alan . "[Co-creator Larry Gelbart] showed me the scene. Is it homophobic? His first book The Guncle Guide was released in 2020 and was featured on Katie Couric's list of 100 recommended books of the year. The 83-year-old has appeared on screen as recently as 2019, when he played a judge on "NCIS," and he's appeared in other recent shows like "Supernatural" and "American Crime Story." M*A*S*H cast members c. 1974: (back row) Larry Linville, Wayne Rogers, Gary Burghoff. Alan Alda wrote on Twitter, "He was smart, funny, curious . Fayden appeared in a couple movies and shows through the rest of the '80s, '90s, and 2000s, and even worked as a writer for a period of years, penning scripts for the soap opera "Port Charles" from 1998 through 2003. Actor Alan Alda is probably best known for playing Army field surgeon, Capt. In fact, both Alan Alda and Jamie Farr were actual veterans. As a result, the 11 years of M*A*S*H are generally split into two eras: the Larry Gelbart/Gene Reynolds "comedy" years (19721977), and the Alan Alda "dramatic" years (19771983). [15] He continued to play Felix the "Owl" for the 196465 Broadway season. That year he also appeared in Steven Spielberg's Cold War drama Bridge of Spies. How do you get across the street? That novel also spawned the 1970 film "M*A*S*H.". But I believe in doing everything in moderation, including moderation. Alan Alda has been awarded several honorary degrees in recognition of his acting career and promotion of educational initiatives. Legendary actor Alan Alda on Wednesday marked the 40th anniversary of the iconic television show M*A*S*H finale, instantly igniting a whirlwind of nostalgia for fans across the globe. In 2005, Alda published his first round of memoirs, Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: and Other Things I've Learned. Outside of acting, Burghoff is a drummer, as well as an inventor with several registered patents to his name. Alda spent his childhood with his parents travelling around the United States in support of his father's job as a performer in burlesque theatres. Alda has also appeared frequently in the films of Woody Allen, and was a guest star five times on ER, playing Dr. Kerry Weaver's mentor, Gabriel Lawrence. Before bringing Alda onstage, Mulaney said, "This is genuinely the best guest we ever had."[37]. To combat the disease, his parents administered a painful treatment regimen developed by Sister Elizabeth Kenny, consisting of applying hot woollen blankets to his limbs and stretching his muscles. There are a lot of different nurse characters who pop up throughout "M*A*S*H," but one of the most prolific is Nurse Able, played by Judy Hayden. And he was certainly no stranger to the big screen in his day. In addition to performing his lead role, he wrote the film's screenplay and served as its director. For seven straight years, Burghoff earned annual nominations at the Emmy Awards for his performance as Radar, winning once in 1977. as a nurse. Born Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo on January 28, 1936, in New York City, Alda is best known for his role as Hawkeye Pierce on the long-running television series M*A*S*H. He is the son of actor Robert Alda, and his first acting experiences were through his father. Alda reportedly pushed for Linville's firing, which was never officially announced as a firing. Alan Alda has garnered many accolades throughout his long and storied career, including six Emmys and the prestigious SAG Life Achievement Award. In 2004, Alda portrayed conservative Maine Senator Owen Brewster in Martin Scorsese's Academy Award-winning film The Aviator, in which he co-starred with Leonardo DiCaprio. Hornberger, who created Hawkeye to represent his own audacious surgical exploits, pioneered the use of . So far it's working.". That same year, Alda was awarded the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for his long career as an actor, writer, director, and producer. For any copyright related queries contact us on viralnater@gmail.com Website : viralnater.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/viralnater Twitter: https:. His third memoir, If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? The 87-year-old has also appeared on shows like "The Love Boat," "That '70s Show," and "Family Guy," and in films like the "Cannonball Run" series. . Fortunately, they were filled expertly by Harry Morgan as the new commanding officer and Mike Farrell as Hawkeye's new counterpart, Captain B. J. Hunnicutt. He stated, "I have this tremor. "And it really affected [costar] Gary Burghoff on camera. "Aside from really good writing and good acting and good directing, the element that really sinks in with an audience is that, as frivolous as some of the stories are, underneath it is an awareness that real people lived through these experiences, and that we tried to respect what they went through," Alda explained. He's also picked up another Emmy for his work on NBC's "The West Wing.". Alda also had a part in the 2000 romantic comedy What Women Want, as the CEO of the advertising firm where the main characters worked. She won two Emmy Awards for her performance and appeared in nearly every episode, placing second only to Alda in total credits. [7] Alda was the only series regular to appear in all 256 episodes.[19]. So far it's really interesting. I had come from the stage, where I would learn my lines during rehearsal. Alda received his first Academy Award nomination for this role in 2005. She also had a guest appearance on the "M*A*S*H" spinoff series "Trapper John, M.D." - Age: 85 - Birthdate: Jan. 28, 1936. In 1956, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Fordham College of Fordham University in the Bronx, where he . A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? . In 1996, Alda played Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company, in Camping With Henry and Tom, based on the book by Mark St. Germain and appeared in the comedy film, Flirting with Disaster. "You know you've got to cross the street. Alda's father, Robert Alda, born Alfonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo, also used the surname Alda. r/mash My wife and I work . In 1989, Swit received a well-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Alda wrote and starred in the political drama The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979) with Meryl Streep. M*A*S*H ran for 11 seasons on CBS from 1972 to 1983, adapted from the 1970 movie of the same name. February 28, 2023 6:10 PM ET. By the time the series went off the air, he'd accrued a staggering 25 Emmy Award nominations and 12 Golden Globe nods for his work. His first book The Guncle Guide was released in 2020 and was featured on Katie Couric's list of 100 recommended books of the year. He was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, and then spent six months as an artillery gunnery officer in South Korea before receiving an honorable discharge. Below are their current ages, birth dates, death dates, and how old they were when their episodes aired. In August 2006, Alda won an Emmy for his portrayal of Vinick in the final season of The West Wing. He continued to appear on TV in various capacities in the years after the show ended, including in various spokesman roles and even on game shows. She's one of the camp's most capable nurses and is shown multiple times to be a friend of Hawkeye and Trapper. Throughout 2009 and 2010, he appeared in three episodes of 30 Rock as Milton Greene, the biological father of Jack Donaghy, played by Alec Baldwin. Other notable film roles include in Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993), Everyone Says I Love You (1996), Flirting with Disaster (1996), Tower Heist (2011), Bridge of Spies (2015), and Marriage Story (2019). He won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album in 2010. (front row) Loretta Swit, Alan Alda, McLean Stevenson. Farr went to Japan during his time in the military after having been drafted. Alan Alda made his Broadway debut in 1959 and his film debut in 1963, but it was his role on the television series M*A*S*H (197283) that earned him his greatest popularity. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more culturally impactful piece of 1970s media than the TV series "M*A*S*H." Almost 40 years since it went off the air, it remains one of the highest-rated, most-awarded American shows ever produced, with eleven acclaimed seasons airing on CBS from 1972 to 1983 and over 100 Emmy nominations. The show blended drama and comedy, and introduced fans to the concept of a new hybrid genre known as a dramedy. (RELATED: Seinfeld Stars We Lost In 2022 But Will Never Forget), Alan Alda (@alanalda) February 28, 2023. Harry Morgan: 96, born April 10, 1915 died December 7, 2011. I knew, but nobody else knew. He attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York. Some interesting facts about Alda and M*A*S*H: Choose which Defense.gov products you want delivered to your inbox. He plays Alan Fitch in NBC's The Blacklist. I think it's helped me understand a little better that everybody has something they're coping with," Alda added. . Age during show: 60-67 (He was a sprite 59 during The General Flipped at Dawn.). Alan Alda. In 2004, Alda joined the cast of the television political drama series The West Wing. Cast of the TV series "M*A*S*H" pictured in a 1974 season premier photo. However, as the original writers gradually left the series, Alda gained increasing control, and by the final seasons had become a producer and creative consultant. During his M*A*S*H years, Alda made several game-show appearances, most notably in The $10,000 Pyramid and as a frequent panelist on What's My Line? Alda, who revealed his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease in 2018, previously told PEOPLE the disease isn't slowing him down. Alda played the sarcastic, but tender-hearted surgeon Captain Benjamin Franklin Pierce, better known as "Hawkeye." But he did a terrible thing, and I hope he finds a way to come to terms with both of those things. [42] In 2009, he was a founder of the university's Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. He continues as a member of its advisory board. Alan Alda is considered one of the most popular actors . He made his Hollywood acting debut as a supporting player in Gone Are the Days! It remains the single most-watched episode of any American broadcast network television series. MASH was a great gift to us. Alan Alda. Alda has also received three Tony Award nominations for his Broadway performances in The Apple Tree (1967), Jake's Women (1992), and Glengarry Glen Ross (2005). This is a list of characters from the M*A*S*H franchise, covering the various fictional characters appearing in the novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors and its sequels, the 1970 film adaptation of . The last MASH unit was deactivated in 2006. He took part in writing 19 episodes, including the 1983 2.5-hour series finale "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen", which was also the 32nd episode he directed. In 1956, while attending Fordham, Alda met Arlene Weiss, who was attending Hunter College. The Only Actors Still Alive From The Cast Of M*A*S*H. Cookies help us deliver our Services. "I think that seeps into the unconscious of the audience.". What is are the functions of diverse organisms? Now 84 years old, Swit isn't terribly active in the entertainment industry, but she still has an impressive collection of roles to her name. Cast members of the TV show MASH which aired from 1972-1983. In 2008 he received a Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording nomination for Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself. He joined the acting company at the Cleveland Play House during the 19581959 season as part of a grant from the Ford Foundation, appearing in productions such as To Dorothy a Son, Heaven Come Wednesday, Monique, and Job. [55] He states that when he talks to God it often comes at times of fear rather than out of a sense of belief. [48] He was awarded the National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal in 2016 "for his extraordinary application of the skills honed as an actor to communicating science on television and stage, and by teaching scientists innovative techniques that allow them to tell their stories to the public". Alan Alda is without a doubt best known for his star role on M*A*S*H. On the popular CBS television series, Alda portrayed Hawkeye Pierce, the wisecracking Army doctor. Debuting in 1972, the television series M*A*S*H went on to become one of the most popular situation comedies in TV history. He also wrote and starred, in the title role, in the 1979 political drama film The Seduction of Joe Tynan. His father was the Italian-American actor Robert Alda. Former 4077th M*A*S*H roommates Alan Alda . Still, for fans of the early seasons of "M*A*S*H," it's fun to know that Cleveland returned to the franchise later in her career. @alanalda. In 1959, he made his Broadway debut in Only in America. The Golden Globe winner, 86 . Info. Age during show: 34-40. During Alda's junior year, he studied in Paris, acted in a play in Rome, and performed with his father on television in Amsterdam. More recently, Alda has appeared on the popular TV comedy 30 Rock, The Big C and The Blacklist. In fact, he first found out that he was going to tour with Red Skelton when he was in Japan. These include: Alan Alda, interviewed by Jian Ghomeshi, CBC Radio, March 28, 2013. In the November 1964 world premiere at the ANTA Playhouse of the stage version of The Owl and The Pussycat, he played Felix the "Owl" opposite the "Pussycat" which was played by actress/singer Diana Sands,[14] an African-American actress with whom he shared an onstage kiss, for which he received hate mail. There is an impression, I think, that M*A*S*H was making political statements a lot. So far it's working. Alda chaired "Men for the Equal Rights Amendment" and was appointed to the International Women's Year Commission.[41]. Alan Alda is looking back on one of the most emotional scenes that occurred on "M*A*S*H"'s 11-season run. Feminism, at the time, was eyed with skepticism by many, perhaps . He quit M*A*S*H when seven seasons, referring to individual reasons and a need to pay longer all together. I do not think I am responsible for that."[21]. Alda, who revealed his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease in 2018, previously told PEOPLE the disease isn't slowing him down. Alan Alda's film and TV credits include those as an actor, writer, and director. Fans joined Alda in commemorating the shows 40th anniversary by sharing fond memories and favorite clips and episodes on social media. He had a small role in Martin Scorsese's The Aviator starring Leonardo DiCaprio that same year. 55th Life Achievement honoree Alan Alda visits with SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris.Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subSAGAFTRA | Make sure to enable ALL pus. Alda began his career in the 1950s, as a member of the Compass Players, an improvisational, comedy revue directed by Paul Sills. At age 77, he's still pretty active in Hollywood, and he arguably has had the biggest TV presence of any "M*A*S*H" alum over the past decade. Alda simply wrote, 40 years ago today. He didnt even have to mention the name of the show. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mash 4077 Trading Card #36 Alan Alda Harry Morgan Mike Farrell David Ogden Stier at the best online prices at eBay! The episode "Abyssinia, Henry" aired on March 18, 1975, ending with Radar (Burghoff) announcing to the team that Col. Blake's plane was shot down over the Sea of Japan. CNN . As of March 2023, Alan Alda has an estimated net worth of more than $45 million. There Were Real Soldiers On Set. There are cars coming. [56], On July 31, 2018, he appeared on CBS This Morning and announced he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease three years earlier.[57]. The TV series "M*A*S*H" was based on MASH units. Bill, who played mild Father John Mulcahy on the hit series, died at age 84 on Dec. 31. My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating", "Our Town by Thornton Wilder in London from 16 May 2019 through to 22 May 2019 theatre tickets and information", "2005-06 Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations Announced", "Past Honorary Degree Recipients, Reunion & Commencement Wesleyan University", "Alan Alda to Give Keynote Address at Carnegie Mellon Commencement, May 17", "University to honour leading international figures", "Alan Alda Receives Honorary Degree At Stony Brook's Largest, Most Diverse Commencement Ceremony", The Interviews: An Oral History of Television, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alan_Alda&oldid=1139541232, Written with Walter D. Dishell, M.D. In a 2016 interview he stated, "I don't like to write political messages. Explore Alan Alda's biography, wiki, net worth & salary in 2023. The show features all manner of thematic deep-dives, behind-the-scenes content, and interviews with different creatives who worked on "M*A*S*H.". In 2006, Alda contributed his voice to a part in the audio book of Max Brooks' World War Z. Age during show: 36-47. Most celebrities don't have their first controversy until at least their teens. Equally as impressive is his decades-long marriage to Arlene Alda. Over 60% of American homes watched the shows finale something never-before-seen, and not yet matched by any television series, according to CNN. Alda won five Emmy Awards for his work on "M*A*S*H" as an actor and director. The show ran for 11 seasons, and continued to air through the Korean War. How much does Alan Alda get paid for MASH reruns? Mike Farrell: 76, born February 6, 1939. Why was the decision Roe v. Wade important for feminists? "Aside from really good writing and good acting and good directing, the element that really sinks in with an audience is that, as frivolous as some of the stories are, underneath it is an awareness that real people lived through these experiences, and that we tried to respect what they went through," Alda explained. "My life hasn't changed much. Alda recently reflected on the show for the milestone anniversary during an interview with The New York Times. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Burt Metcalfe, the revered TV producer who worked on all 11 seasons of "MASH," died July 27 in Los Angeles. Alda was a gunner in the Army Reserve in Korea for six months before he was on . Other Emmy-nominated roles include in And the Band Played On in 1993, ER in 2000, 30 Rock in 2009, and The Blacklist in 2015. Alda's best known role was playing chief surgeon Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce in the medical-themed sitcom M*A*S*H (1972-1983) for 11 seasons. [6] Alda attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York. Alan Alda has cited four classic episodes of MASH as his personal favorites. What are the 4 major sources of law in Zimbabwe? His performance as B. J. was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1980, but he lost to his own co-star, Harry Morgan. I'm constantly reading and trying to figure out the best approaches. Alan Alda (/ l d /; born Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo; January 28, 1936) is an American actor, screenwriter, and director.A six-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner and a three time Tony Award nominee, he is best known for playing Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce in the CBS wartime sitcom M*A*S*H (1972-1983). Here are what these "M*A*S*H" icons are doing nowadays. There is a certain fear for me in acting, and it happens much earlier than opening night: its when Im in a chair, reading the script for the first time and wondering how I could possibly play such a part. McLean Stevenson: 68, born November 14, 1927 died February 15, 1996. Larry Linville: 60, born September 29, 1939 died April 10, 2000. His Half-Brother Antony Alda Was an Actor & Director. When asked about the controversy surrounding Allen in 2019, Alda stated, "I'd work with him again if he wanted me. The first MASH units were established in 1950 at the start of the Korean War, to treat casualties close to the front lines of the fighting. At age 75, Wainwright is still an active artist, though he's primarily a musician these days. After starring in the films Same Time, Next Year (1978), California Suite (1978), and The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979), he made his directorial film debut The Four Seasons (1981). Date of Birth: Jan 28, 1936 (87 years old) Place of Birth: New York City. His favorite episodes of M*A*S*H are "Dear Sigmund" and "In Love and War". Set during the Korea War, the series followed the misadventures of the staff of an army surgical unit. 's acclaimed web-based series Horace and Pete as the irascible Uncle Pete. [25], In 1996, Alda was ranked 41st on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.[26]. Kauna unahang parabula na inilimbag sa bhutan? When the show finally signed off 40 years ago -- with a special 2.5-hour . Over 100 million viewers agree: M*A*S*H's feature-length series finale is one of the greatest mic drops in television history.Premiering 40 years ago on Feb. 28, 1983, the two-and-a-half-hour sign . While on M*A*S*H, Alda found time to pursue other projects. Beloved veteran actor Alan Alda has commemorated the 40-year anniversary of the anti-war sitcom MASH's final episode with a simple tweet. Today, Klinger is arguably one of the most interesting and complicated parts of the show, and much has been written on how the character should be read. Yes, Antony is Alan's half brother. Alda had been a serious candidate, along with Sidney Poitier, for the role of President Josiah Bartlet before Martin Sheen was ultimately cast in the role. Alda himself was creatively involved with these . For 14 years, he served as the host of Scientific American Frontiers, a television show that explored cutting-edge advances in science and technology. Alan Alda's film and TV credits include those as an actor, writer, and director. Already an accomplished screenwriter, Alda published his first memoir, Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I've Learned, that same year. How many nieces and nephew luther vandross have? Burghoff reprised his role as Radar as a guest star in "AfterMASH" and in the TV special "W*A*L*T*E*R*," which was originally intended as the pilot of a separate spinoff. When the show finally signed off 40 years ago - with a special 2.5 . [31] In 2010, he became a visiting professor at Stony Brook University. William Christopher: 83, born October 20, 1932. He wanted to get everybody's first-time reactions," Alda said. However, M*A*S*H icon Alan Alda was the center of controversy at only 2-years old after posing with a tobacco pipe for publicity. Alda earned more than 20 Emmy nominations and won five times for his work on the series, which provided a showcase for his talents as a socially conscious writer, director and performer. Alda's prominence in M*A*S*H provided him a platform to speak out on political topics. [47] In 2014 Alda was awarded the American Chemical Society's James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public for his work in science communication. What's clear is that Klinger is someone who loves to wear traditionally feminine clothes not just because he wants to be discharged and sent home, but because they bring him comfort and joy in a place filled with tragedy and death. When Alda was seven years old, he contracted polio. M*A*S*H put the spotlight on the staff of an army hospital during the Korean War and provided a darkly comedic take on matters of war and bravery. M*A*S*H struggled in the ratings during its first season and was nearly cancelled. He's appeared in films like "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up," as well as shows like "Parks and Recreation" and "Person of Interest." Yet, the finale managed to draw 106 million viewers and continues to hold the record for the highest viewership of any episodic series to this day, according to CNN. Although Peter Parnell wrote the play, Alda both produced and inspired it. Coincidentally, Alda was actually an Army officer, serving in South Korea from 1956 to 1958, not long after the Korean War ended on July 27, 1953. He appeared in the comedies Sweet Liberty (1986) and A New Life (1988), which he also wrote and directed.