20th Anniversary Collection: Alan Alda on bringing science to acting

Hollywood actor Alan Alda has devoted his life to science, by taking his acting and communication skills off the screen and into the laboratory. Alan grew up in a show business family and spent his childhood touring with a burlesque show run by his parents.

He eventually made a name for himself in showbiz, becoming well-known and much-loved for his performances in M.A.S.H. and The West Wing, as well as his roles in many Hollywood films.

Alan is also famous for his love of science.

He wrote Dear Albert for the stage, based on the love letters of Albert Einstein, which reveal Einstein as a beautifully passionate man.

Alan has used his acting for the good of science by teaching communication skills to scientists so they might make their work better known and better understood.

Further information

This interview was first broadcast in December 2016.

2025 update:  Alan has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but he says he’s managing it well.  Alan is still working occasionally, most recently in the TV remake of his 1981 film ‘The Four Seasons’.

You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.

This episode of Conversations explores science, science communication, MASH, television, Hollywood, silver screen, acting, show biz families, family business, Vietnam, origin stories, memoir.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.