Alan Alda Turns Parkinson’s into a Joke: Humor Helps Heal

Actor Alan Alda, 90, has been living with Parkinson’s disease since 2015 and publicly disclosed his diagnosis in 2018. He says the key to coping is humor, describing how he personifies the disease as “Dr. Parkinson” when his hand misbehaves on a computer mouse and treats everyday tasks as puzzles. Alda’s acceptance of his condition—“I don’t let Parkinson’s define me”—is backed by neuropsychiatrist Dr. Chadrick Lane, who notes that humor provides cognitive reframing, psychological distance, and social connection for people with Parkinson’s. Lane highlights that this mindset empowers patients to choose how they respond in the moment, boosting emotional well‑being.