{
  "id": 11943488,
  "title": "Alan Alda on fighting Parkinson's with laughter",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/alan-alda-on-fighting-parkinsons-with-laughter-11943488",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T14:16:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CBS News",
    "slug": "cbs-news",
    "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alan-alda-on-fighting-parkinsons-with-laughter/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Alan Alda, the renowned actor, has been using laughter as a tool to fight Parkinson's disease. The 90-year-old, who won five Emmy Awards for his work on the TV series M*A*S*H, shared his personal experience with the illness and how humor helps him cope. Alda revealed that he started experiencing symptoms of Parkinson's in 2013, including acting out his dreams, which at that time were not well-known. Despite the diagnosis, he remains open about his condition and maintains a positive attitude. To Alda, humor is crucial in dealing with any problem, and he often finds laughter in the quirks of his illness. In a recent interview, Alda discussed his Parkinson's diagnosis and his ongoing struggle with the disease, emphasizing that it does not define him. He finds joy in his sense of humor, which he credits for strengthening his relationship with his wife, Arlene, who has been his partner for 70 years. Despite the challenges, Alda remains hopeful and optimistic, viewing Parkinson's as a \"hobby\" rather than an identity.",
  "summary": "Alan Alda, now 90, best-known for his role as \"Hawkeye\" Pierce on the classic TV series \"M*A*S*H,\" talks about living with Parkinson's disease, which he refuses to let define him.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Alan Alda on fighting Parkinson's with laughter",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/alan-alda-on-fighting-parkinsons-with-laughter",
        "published": "2026-10-04T14:10:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}