Alda was born Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo on January 28, 1936, in Manhattan, New York City. He spent his childhood travelling around the United States with his parents, in support of his father's job as a performer. His father, … See more

Alda began his career in the 1950s as a member of the Compass Players, an improvisational comedy revue directed by Paul Sills. He later joined the improvisational group Second City in Chicago. H… See more

Alda has done extensive charity work. He helped narrate a 2005 St. Jude Children's Hospital-produced one-hour special TV show Fighting for Life. His wife, Arlene, and he are also close friends of Marlo Thomas, who is ver… See more