Alan Alda Alan Alda Alan Alda (; born Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo; January 28, 1936) is an American actor, director, screenwriter, comedian and author. A six-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner, he played Hawkeye Pierce in the war television series "M*A*S*H" (1972–1983). He has also appeared on television programs such as "Scientific American Frontiers", "The West Wing", and "30 Rock", and in films such as "Same Time, Next Year" (1978) and "Crimes and Misdemeanors" (1989). He also experienced success as a director with 1981's "The Four Seasons". In 2004, Alda was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in
Alan Alda left the series, Alda gained increasing control, and by the final seasons had become a producer and creative consultant. Under his watch, "M*A*S*H" retained its comedic foundation, but gradually assumed a somewhat more serious tone, openly addressing political issues. As a result, the 11 years of "M*A*S*H" are generally split into two eras: the Larry Gelbart/Gene Reynolds "comedy" years (1972–1977), and the Alan Alda "dramatic" years (1977–1983). Alda disagreed with this assessment. In a 2016 interview he stated, "I don't like to write political messages. I don't like plays that have political messages. I do not think I am responsible