Robert Alda (February 26, 1914 - May 3, 1986) was an Italian-American actor born Alphonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo. He was the father of actor Alan Alda. Alda started out as a singer and dancer in vaudeville and burlesque.
He is known for portraying George Gershwin in the 1945 film Rhapsody in Blue. He was very successful in Broadway theatre, starring in productions including Guys and Dolls (for which he won a Tony Award) and What Makes Sammy Run?.
He moved to Italy in the early 1960s and appeared in many successful European films over the next two decades, occasionally returning to the U.S. for appearances such as in the 1969 film The Girl Who Knew Too Much.
Alda's wife, Joan Brown, was crowned Miss New York in a beauty pagent; one of their children is actor Alan Alda.
Robert Alda made two guest appearances with his son on M*A*S*H. The first guest appearance was an episode entitiled "The Consultant." The second guest appearance was the episode entitled "Lend a Hand." This episode is of particular note since it also featured Alda's other son by his second wife Flora Martino, Anthony Alda, who is also an actor.
Alda died of a stroke caused by embolism on May 3, 1986, aged 72.
The Beast with Five Fingers (1946)
