Cultural Diversity Roster

Find a Presenter

speaker

Alan Alda

Alan Alda

TV Icon Science Communicator

Actor, writer, science advocate, and director are just a few of Alan Alda’s many job titles.

See Below for Full Bio

Categories :

Add To My Speakers List Request Availabilty
[Sassy_Social_Share]

Bio

Full Bio

Actor, writer, science advocate, and director are just a few of Alan Alda’s many job titles. Throughout his 40-year career, he has won seven Emmys, six Golden Globes, three DGA awards for directing, and the SAG Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment, considered SAG’s highest tribute. For 11 years, Alda hosted the award-winning PBS show Scientific American Frontiers, filming over 95 episodes.

As a speaker, Alda explores life’s big questions and shares what he has learned about the meaning of life, the quest for happiness, and the art and science of communicating. Drawing from his work in acting, improv, science, and storytelling, he discloses both the importance of and the ways to get better at communicating in life and business.

One of TV Guide’s 50 Greatest Television Stars of All Time, Alda is best known for portraying Hawkeye Pierce on M*A*S*H, which earned him five Emmys for acting, writing, and directing, the only actor in history to win in each category for a single series. 125 million people tuned in to say goodbye, making the show’s finale the most-watched single TV episode in US history.

He wrote, directed, and starred in several films throughout the 80s and 90s. He was nominated for a British Academy Award for Crimes and Misdemeanors and received an Oscar nomination for his performance in Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator. His podcast on effective communication, “Clear and Vivid,” has included such guests as Michael J. Fox, Sheryl Sandberg, and Sarah Silverman.

From 1993 to 2005, Alda hosted PBS’ Scientific American Frontiers, putting the actor up close with cutting edge advancements in chemistry, technology, biology, and physics. In 2013, he hosted Brains on Trial, a neurological look at brains in the courtroom. He also wrote Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie, a play about the personal life of the scientist who discovered radium and presented Dear Albert, a stage-work he wrote based on letters written by Albert Einstein, for the World Science Festival in 2016.

A recipient of the National Science Board’s Public Service Award, Alda is a visiting professor at and founding member of Stony Brook University’s Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, where he helps develop innovative programs on how scientists communicate with the public. His new company, Alda Communication Training (ACT), based on The Alda Method™, teaches effective communicating face-to-face and in writing. He sits on the board of A.I. research body The Future of Life Institute, alongside Stephen Hawking, Morgan Freeman, and Elon Musk, and is on the Board of Directors of the World Science Festival.

Alda published his New York Times bestselling memoir, Never Have Your Dog Stuffed—And Other Things I’ve Learned, in 2005. His second bestseller, Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself, came out in 2007. Alda’s latest book, If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating was released in June 2017.

Check Availability

MM slash DD slash YYYY
Check Availability for

Topics

Topics

THE ART OF COMMUNICATING – IN BUSINESS & LIFE

THINGS I OVERHEARD WHILE TALKING TO MYSELF

GETTING BEYOND A BLIND DATE WITH SCIENCE

Videos

Videos

Alan Alda On Why Communication Is So Important To Science
Alan Alda: Award Acceptance Speech | 25th Annual SAG Awards | TNT

Books

CLEAR + VIVID
CLEAR + VIVID
THINGS I OVERHEARD WHILE TALKING TO MYSELF
THINGS I OVERHEARD WHILE TALKING TO MYSELF

News

Please Contact Us For More Information

TESTIMONIALS

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

The American Psychological Association was thrilled to have Dr. Antonia Novello as our speaker for the 2024 APA Convention. Dr. Novello was fantastic, and her presentation was a tremendous success. Thank you, Peter, for all your hard work in making this event such a resounding success.

American Psychological Association

For our annual Native American Heritage Month celebration, PDA Group arranged for John Echohawk to join us for a virtual moderated discussion. The program was thoughtful, engaging, and highly impactful for our audience of lawyers and professional staff. We are grateful for their partnership and look forward to working with them again.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

We have partnered with PDA Group on multiple successful events, including our charity luncheon with Lisa Edelstein and our Women’s Philanthropy Kickoff Event featuring Allegra Goodman. Their professionalism, expertise, and commitment to excellence make them an outstanding partner. Thank you for your exceptional work and continued support.

UJA-Federation

We have received so much fantastic feedback following our virtual event. It was an absolute success, and Sylvia Fowles was excellent. Thank you again to Sylvia and the entire team for your partnership!”

U.S. Bank

Kurt Warner was spectacular—he completely wowed the audience and solidified major leadership points. He was an amazing partner, and we will be talking about this experience for years to come. We will definitely leverage the PDA team for all of our speaking needs!”

Sysco Corporation

The events over the past two years went very well — everyone had a great time with Dr. Mark Esper in 2025, and Sam Hinkie led a very engaging Q&A with our Principal, Jean Reynolds, in 2024. Thank you for working with us these last two years; your support has been instrumental to the success of our programs!

Investcorp Strategic Capital Group

It was an absolute privilege to have Dr. Sanjay Gupta as our keynote speaker for the 2026 GME Leadership Conference. He delivered an outstanding address that resonated deeply and left a lasting impression on everyone in the room. The entire planning process was seamless and collaborative. It was a pleasure working together, brainstorming suggestions, and ultimately selecting the perfect fit for our event. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

HCA Healthcare

We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

Salt Lake Community College

It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

Western Michigan University

On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can’t wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

Ferris State University

GET IDEAS

1 Hour or Less
914-940-0075 "America's Entertainment Leader"