Happy birthday to Alan Alda today, a timeless inspiration to many, and a fantastic human being.
Most famous, of course, for his role as Hawkeye Pierce from the hit 70’s t.v. show M*A*S*H, Alan also acted in theatres, even on Broadway, and recieved many accolades for his performances. His father, Robert Alda, a famous actor in his own right, inspired first a love of acting.
Alan’s life wasn’t by far an easy one, as he grew up moving around the country with few friends and even suffered polio as a child. All he had was his dog, who soon died. Despite this, he kept up his spirits and love of acting.
The first day of shooting the very first episode of M*A*S*H, they shot first the scene where the doctors file, exhausted, out of the O.R., and Hawkeye and Frank have a major altercation. (Did you get my joke did you get it it was good) Alan said that he stood behind those doors in a panic before the cameras rolled. He suddenly thought–he was nothing like this character. How could he act a character if he was nothing like them? How could he do this?
But he realised, you don’t have to be the same as another person to step in their shoes and empathise. And the next steps out of those wooden doors launched an even more successful career than he had dreamed.
Alan Alda has inspired me to try. Try even if you think you’ll fail, and chances are, something even better might come out of failing. To learn everything you can, and be as smart as you WANT to be, not how people expect you or want you to be. He’s a very smart man, who, as he says, “is still learning to this day”. Hawkeye has inspired me to be witty, to persevere, to be compassionate and kind, and fight for what you believe in. They both inspired me to be a better person.
Today Alan Alda celebrates his 80th birthday, a milestone I’m sure he’s happy to see.
Happy birthday to a true hero.
I’d go on more about his full life story, but that would be too long-winded, and maybe a little creepy, so I’ll leave that part out.
