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2 5 TH SAG AWA R DS S P E C I A L 75 S AG A F T R A .O R G 2 0 1 9 That's the life and career of Alan Alda, who the SAG-AFTRA National Honors and Tributes Committee selected to be the 55th recipient of the SAG Life Achievement Award. SAG- AFTRA's highest tribute will be presented at the 25th annual SAG Awards® on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019. "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," said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. Alda was exposed to the performing arts at an early age through observing his father, Robert Alda, perform in various productions. His own acting career began in the 1950s, when he appeared at an improv theater and in small TV roles. He joined the Cleveland Play House company during the 1958–59 season, which led to work on Broadway. He performed opposite African-American actress and singer Diana Sands in the original stage production of The Owl and the Pussycat, before taking it on the road with future SAG Life Achievement recipient Rita Moreno in 1966. Later that year, Alda was cast in The Apple Tree, which In late 1966, Alda found himself in another Broadway hit: The Apple Tree, with Barbara Harris and Larry Blyden ran over a year and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical. Alda's fifth Broadway appearance, in the romantic comedy hit The Owl and the Pussycat opposite Diana Sands, featured bold colorblind casting for 1964. PHOTOFEST CBS/PHOTOFEST © CBS