Alan Alda is reminiscing on an incident in which his prosopagnosia led him to confuse his daughter Beatrice with an unfamiliar individual.
In his 1981 film The Four Seasons, which Tina Fey just adapted into a Netflix series, the esteemed 89-year-old actor had Beatrice sent to color her hair blonde to resemble the two actors portraying her parents. Upon her return, he was unable to identify her.
“Alda recounts to PEOPLE, ‘I observed an individual with horn-rimmed glasses and blonde hair gazing at me, which became increasingly distracting.'” “I instructed the assistant director, ‘Do not let these unfamiliar individuals to access the set.’ He said, ‘That is your daughter!’ I believe she was displeased, since none of us was aware of the existence of prosopagnosia at that time.
Alda, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015, said that it is “very hard” for him to identify individuals.
“When someone approaches me as though they are familiar with me, I frequently cannot discern whether they recognize me from my appearances on screen or if I genuinely know them,” he states. “I could dine with an individual, spend two hours in their company, and the following day remain unaware of their identity.”
Nevertheless, his persistent health challenges have not hindered him. In the recent Netflix adaptation of The Four Seasons, Alda delivers a comedic cameo alongside Fey and Colman Domingo, during which his character imparts marital advice: “Every once in a while … [my wife would] say, ‘Congratulations!’ Remove your trousers; it is a day designated for intimacy. Consider attempting it with your spouse.
Similar to his character, Alda often seeks counsel from his wife of 68 years, Arlene.
He states, “She consistently asserts, ‘The key to marriage is a brief memory.'” “We both endeavor to be present in our interactions: actively listening, responding, and showing interest.” One may acclimate to any individual, regardless of their identity. I have always believed that if the Pope and Mother Teresa were a relationship, they would eventually need to resolve their differences after a few years. Alda said that during his struggle with Parkinson’s, which has resulted in apparent bodily tremors during his Four Seasons appearance, Arlene, 92, has been at his side at every stage.
“My finger dexterity has diminished, so occasionally she must open a package for me,” he states. “She exhibits remarkable good-naturedness regarding it.” I consistently express my gratitude by saying, ‘Thank you.’
Alda states that controlling his Parkinson’s has transitioned from “a part-time job to nearly a full-time job” during the last decade; nonetheless, he notes the good aspect is that “it continually prompts me to seek the humorous perspective.”
The Four Seasons is now available for watching on Netflix.
