‘MAS*H’ Star, 90, Reveals Strange Habit Tied to Diagnosis

The Daily Beast • October 6, 2026 • entertainment

Key Points:

Alan Alda revealed that before his 2015 Parkinson’s diagnosis, he experienced REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, causing him to physically act out vivid dreams during sleep.
This disorder, affecting about 1% of Americans, involves a failure of normal muscle paralysis during REM sleep, leading to movements and sounds in response to dreams.
Alda had no typical Parkinson’s symptoms like tremors or voice issues prior to diagnosis, highlighting the disease’s varied manifestations.
The actor has publicly discussed his condition since 2018, emphasizing humor as a coping mechanism and encouraging a positive outlook despite daily challenges.
Alda and his wife Arlene have been married nearly 70 years, and he continues to approach Parkinson’s as a complex puzzle to be managed rather than a defining limitation.