Award-winning actor, writer, director, producer, Alan Alda has been named the 55th recipient of SAG-AFTRA’s highest tribute: the SAG Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment. Alda will be presented the performers union’s top accolade at the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®, which will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, at 8 p.m. (ET)/ 5 p.m. (PT).
Given annually to an actor who fosters the “finest ideals of the acting profession,” the SAG Life Achievement Award will join Alda’s exceptional catalog of pre-eminent industry and public honors. His career has earned him induction into the Television Hall of Fame, an Oscar® nomination, six Emmys® (plus an International Emmy® Special Founder’s Award and 29 additional Emmy® nominations), four SAG Award® nominations, six Golden Globes®, four DGA Awards (including the D. W. Griffith Award), the WGA’s Valentine Davis Award, three Tony Award® nominations and more. In fact, he is one of only six people to receive Oscar®, Tony® and Emmy® nominations in the same year. This abbreviated list doesn’t even mention his numerous honors from the scientific community, including most recently the National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal.
“It is an honor and privilege to announce that our SAG Life Achievement Award will be presented to the fabulous Alan Alda,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. “He is an artist whose body of work is a testament to the craft and the magic of our business. His ability to make us laugh, to think and to feel is extraordinary. From theater to television, movies, and new media Alan’s dedication and talent are exceeded only by his contributions to a just and caring society.”
Alda landed his first movie role in 1963’s Gone Are the Days!, which starred the legendary Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee (both of whom preceded Alda as SAG Life Achievement Award recipients). He went on to show his range in dozens of additional movies, including his Oscar® nominated role as Senator Ralph Owen Brewster in 2004’sThe Aviator.
Among Alda’s many other films are Bridge of Spies (2015, Best Picture Oscar winner), The Longest Ride (2015),Wanderlust (2012), Tower Heist (2011), Everyone Says I Love You (1996), Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993),Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), Neil Simon’s California Suite (1978), Same Time, Next Year (1978), The Mephisto Waltz (1971) and Paper Lion (1968). He also starred in and wrote The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979), and starred in, wrote and directed A New Life (1988), Sweet Liberty (1986) and The Four Seasons (1981).
But he’s not resting on his laurels. Alda will next be seen in the as-yet untitled Noah Baumbach project starring Scarlett Johansen and Adam Driver.