In January 2026, a momentous occasion arrived: Alan Alda, one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood, celebrated his 90th birthday. But instead of a lavish party filled with presents, balloons, and the usual fanfare, Alan had a different wish. One that spoke to his enduring spirit, his love for the people who had shaped his journey, and his desire to experience life in the most meaningful way possible. It was a simple yet powerful request: Alan wanted to go to the beach. And not just any beach trip—but one shared with the few remaining members of the MASH* family, the iconic cast that had touched millions of hearts across the world.
In the end, it wasn’t the usual extravagant celebration that Alan Alda sought. Instead, it was an unforgettable day with old friends, one last adventure, and a celebration of life that transcended age. This is the story of how the last four members of MASH* embarked on a journey that would remind them of their past, their bond, and the preciousness of time.
The Quiet Request: A Moment of Reflection
The morning of January 28, 2026, was supposed to be a day like any other. Alan’s family had planned a celebration for his 90th birthday—complete with cake, balloons, and grandkids surrounding him. But Alan Alda, never one for the spotlight or grand gestures, surprised everyone with his request.
“I don’t want a party,” he said, looking at his daughter, who had spent weeks preparing for the event. “I want to go to the beach.”
His daughter, perplexed, asked, “The beach? But Dad, you’re in a wheelchair. You can barely stand.”
Alan smiled that iconic smile—the one that had been a symbol of his character, Hawkeye Pierce, for decades.
“So what?” Alan replied. “I’m still going to the beach.”
It wasn’t the response anyone expected, but it was quintessentially Alan: determined, independent, and always up for an adventure, no matter how big or small.
“The Four of Us”: Calling the Last Survivors
Alan didn’t just want to go to the beach; he wanted to share this moment with the last surviving members of the MASH* cast—the men who had been with him through thick and thin, both on and off the screen. Gary Burghoff, Jamie Farr, Mike Farrell, and Alan Alda himself were the last remaining members of the iconic ensemble.
Alan called Gary first, immediately greeting him with the warmth and humor that had defined their decades-long friendship.
“Happy birthday, old man! Ninety!” Gary exclaimed.
“Thanks, but I need you to drive,” Alan responded, the seriousness in his tone belying the humor that would follow.
“Drive where?” Gary asked, slightly confused.
“To the beach,” Alan said without skipping a beat.
Gary hesitated. “But Alan, you’re in a wheelchair.”
“So are facts. They don’t stop me either,” Alan quipped.
Gary laughed, knowing full well that Alan was relentless when he made up his mind. “Fine. But I’m not pushing you through sand,” he joked.
Alan, ever the optimist, replied, “I’ll crawl if I have to.”
With that, Gary was in. He didn’t need any more convincing.
Jamie Farr: Always Ready for a Challenge
Next on the list was Jamie Farr. When Alan shared his plan, Jamie’s first response was to express his own reservations.
“The beach?” Jamie asked, his voice tinged with doubt. “I’m ninety-one and in a wheelchair.”
Alan wasn’t deterred. “Then we’ll have two wheelchairs at the beach.”
Jamie’s voice lightened. “Like a parade?”
“No,” Alan answered with a grin. “Like a victory lap.”
They both laughed, and in that moment, it was clear: Jamie Farr would be part of this final adventure.
“You haven’t changed since 1972,” Jamie teased.
“And you’re still Klinger,” Alan retorted, ever the witty counterpart.
The decision was made. Jamie was in, ready to make this final journey with his old friends.
Mike Farrell: The Reluctant Hero
The last phone call was to Mike Farrell, who had always been the more practical one of the group. Alan, however, was prepared for Mike’s resistance.
“Let me guess,” Mike said as soon as he answered the phone. “You want me to push your wheelchair.”
“Yes,” Alan responded.
Mike sighed. “I’m eighty-six, Alan. I use a cane.”
Alan wasn’t going to let that stop him. “BJ Hunnicutt once saved a man with dental floss. You’ll manage.”
There was a long pause on the other end of the line.
“…Fine,” Mike finally relented, knowing there was no way to say no to Alan’s infectious spirit.
The Road to the Beach: Four Men, One Van, and Countless Memories
By 6:00 a.m., Gary was already outside Alan’s house, ready to go. He had rented a van with two wheelchair spaces, wearing a Hawaiian shirt as if he were already on vacation. One by one, the others arrived in similar attire—Hawaiian shirts, sunglasses, and wheelchairs. It was a tradition now: the MASH* family always matched.
Alan’s daughter watched nervously from the window, still unsure if this was the right decision. “Dad, are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” Alan answered with a calm certainty.
“What if something happens?” she asked, concern written on her face.
“Something is always about to happen at ninety,” Alan said with a wink. “Might as well happen at the beach.”
With that, the four men—Alan, Gary, Jamie, and Mike—set off for the beach. The journey was filled with nostalgia, laughter, and stories about the old days on MASH*. They shared tales about their time on set, the pranks they played, and the unforgettable moments they experienced together. The song of MASH* came on the radio, and the car fell silent. After the song ended, Alan broke the silence.
“That song used to annoy me,” he said softly.
“Now?” Mike asked.
“Now it just reminds me how lucky we were,” Alan replied with a deep sense of gratitude.
Reality Hits: Wheelchairs Don’t Work on Sand
Arriving at Malibu, they were hit with a harsh reality: wheelchairs don’t work well on sand. It was a challenge that no one had anticipated, but it didn’t deter them. Gary disappeared for a while, only to return with two lifeguards and two special beach wheelchairs. The lifeguards were eager to help, offering not only their assistance but also their admiration.
One of them whispered, “My grandmother watched MASH* every night.”
The journey to the water was slow and laborious. Every transfer was a struggle, every movement a reminder of the toll time takes on the body. But they made it. And when they reached the water’s edge, Alan closed his eyes, letting the sound of the waves and the salt in the air wash over him.
“I forgot what this felt like,” he said, his voice full of emotion.
The Race: A Final Victory Lap
As the sun began to set, Jamie, always ready with a quip, suggested, “Let’s race.”
And so they did. Two wheelchairs. Two pushers. One rock.
They raced down the beach, laughing like they were back on set filming a scene. And in the end, it was a tie. The result didn’t matter—what mattered was that they were there, together, one last time, doing something they hadn’t done in years.
People on the beach stared, some confused, others amused. A teenager asked, “What are those old guys doing?”
His mother smiled and replied, “Living.”
The Final Sunset
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Alan spoke again, his voice soft but full of meaning. “This might be the last time.”
No one argued. The truth of his words hung in the air.
“That’s why it matters,” Alan said. “Because we know.”
And with that, they made a promise: one more year, one more adventure. One more journey back to MASH*.
A Daughter’s Reflection
That night, Alan’s daughter asked, “Did you really go to the beach?”
Alan smiled, the kind of smile that only Hawkeye Pierce could pull off. “I put my feet in the ocean,” he said. “I raced a wheelchair. I watched the sunset with my family.”
“I’m ninety,” he added softly. “And today… I lived.”
Conclusion: The Legacy of MASH and Alan Alda*
Alan Alda’s 90th birthday wasn’t about the typical celebrations that come with age. It was about legacy—about friendship, family, and the memories that transcend time. Alan’s decision to celebrate with the last remaining members of MASH*—Gary, Jamie, and Mike—wasn’t just about marking the passage of time. It was about celebrating the bond that had formed on a television set but had lasted far beyond the final episode.
This story isn’t just about Alan Alda. It’s about all of us—about the people who matter most, the memories we make, and the importance of living life to the fullest, no matter how old we are. Because in the end, it’s the shared moments, the laughter, and the adventures that define us.
Alan Alda and his friends proved that the greatest adventures aren’t always about grand gestures—they’re about the small, meaningful moments that remind us of what truly matters.
