Alan Alda is an American actor, director, and writer, best known for his role as Hawkeye Pierce on the television series M*A*S*H. Born on January 28, 1936, in New York City, he has had a successful career in film, television, and theater, earning multiple awards, including Emmy Awards and a Tony Award. In addition to acting, Alda is a passionate advocate for science communication. He founded the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University, which aims to improve the way scientists communicate their work to the public. Alda has also authored several books and continues to engage in various creative projects.