Alan Alda Career Retrospective | SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations

Alan shares stories from his performances in MASH, Marriage Story, The West Wing, The Four Seasons, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Purlie Victorious, Jake’s Women, Horace and Pete, Scientific American Frontiers, The Seduction of Joe Tynan, Sweet Liberty, The Owl and the Pussycat, and the Phil Silver Show in this interview on his acting career. He remembers working with Woody Allen and Neil Simon, his experience writing and directing, and gives advice on handling difficult jobs and playing villainous roles. This Q&A moderated by Brian Rose is part of the SAG-AFTRA Conversations series, an essential resource for actors, filmmakers and students of discussions with performers, exploring the process and profession of acting.

The views expressed in the presentation materials and films, and by the guests and moderators are solely those of the organization and/or individual providing them and do not reflect the opinions of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, its staff or Board of Directors.

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0:00 - Intro
1:35 - Early Career
3:38 - Phil Silver Show (1958)
8:12 - Purlie Victorious (1962)
9:29 - The Owl and the Pussycat and Improvising
18:30 - Writing, Directing, and M*A*S*H (1973)
24:46 - The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979) and The Four Seasons (1981)
28:22 - Sweet Liberty (1986)
29:36 - Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) and Woody Allen
32:47 - PBS’s Scientific American Frontiers (1990 - 2005)
34:05 - Jake’s Women (1992) and Neil Simon
35:56 - The West Wing (2004 - 2006)
37:21 - Horace and Pete (2016)
38:20 - Marriage Story (2019)
41:23 - Clear + Vivid
46:45 - Learning from Great Directors
50:53 - Thoughts on Politics
52:41 - Possible Acting roles
54:04 - How to Handle the Difficult Jobs
54:59 - Memories from Burlesque Travel Show
56:41 - Favorite Moments
59:32 - Playing Villainous Roles