Who Is Elizabeth Alda? Meet Alan Alda’s Daughter and Former Actress

Elizabeth Alda is an American former actress, special educator, and learning disability advocate. She is the middle daughter of actor Alan Alda and author and photographer Arlene Alda. Elizabeth appeared with her father in The Four Seasons before leaving acting and building a long career in education.

Quick Facts About Elizabeth Alda

Early Life

Elizabeth Alda was born on August 20, 1960, in New York City. She is 66 years old as of 2026.

She grew up as the second of three daughters in the Alda family. Her older sister, Eve, was born in 1958, while her younger sister, Beatrice, was born in 1961.

Elizabeth grew up around the entertainment industry because of her father’s acting career. She briefly followed the same path before choosing a different profession.

Elizabeth Alda’s Parents

Elizabeth’s parents are Alan Alda and Arlene Alda.

They married on March 15, 1957, several years before Alan became widely known for M*A*S*H. The couple has three daughters: Eve, Elizabeth, and Beatrice.

Arlene Alda, born Arlene Weiss, trained as a musician and played the clarinet professionally. She later became a photographer and writer.

She has written several children’s books, including Arlene Alda’s 1 2 3 and Iris Has a Virus.

Her Father, Alan Alda

Alan Alda was born Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo on January 28, 1936, in New York City.

He is an actor, writer, and director best known for playing Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce in the television series M*A*S*H. He appeared throughout the show’s 11-season run from 1972 to 1983.

Alan has also appeared in The Four Seasons, Crimes and Misdemeanors, The West Wing, The Aviator, and Marriage Story.

His work has earned him multiple Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. He also received an Academy Award nomination for his supporting role in The Aviator.

Elizabeth worked with her father early in her acting career, most notably in The Four Seasons.

Elizabeth Alda’s Sisters

Elizabeth has two sisters, Eve Alda Coffey and Beatrice Alda.

Eve Alda Coffey

Eve was born on December 18, 1958. She is the oldest of Alan and Arlene’s daughters.

She did not pursue the same acting path as her father. Reports connect her professional life with psychology, social work, political activity, and producing.

Eve married James Coffey and had two sons.

Beatrice Alda

Beatrice was born on August 10, 1961. She is the youngest of the three sisters.

Like Elizabeth, Beatrice entered the entertainment industry. She appeared in The Four Seasons, A New Life, and Men of Respect.

Beatrice later worked as a filmmaker, producer, and director. Her documentary projects include Out Late and Legs: A Big Issue in a Small Town.

Education

Elizabeth reportedly attended Kenyon College, where she studied drama or theater.

She later returned to school as her career moved from acting into special education.

Her professional information shows that she studied at Northeastern University from 2013 to 2018 and earned a Doctor of Education degree. She professionally uses the name Elizabeth Alda O’Heaney, EdD.

Some biographies claim she received a Master of Education in special education from Northeastern University in 2022. This information is questionable because it places the master’s degree after her doctorate.

Other sources report that she earned an MEd in special education from California State University, Northridge. The exact details of this earlier graduate degree are not as well documented as her Northeastern education.

Elizabeth Alda’s Acting Career

Elizabeth began her professional life as an actress.

Her acting career was short compared with her later work in education. Her main screen credits include:

• The Four Seasons (1981)
• The Four Seasons television series (1984)
• Night of the Creeps (1986)

She eventually decided to leave acting and work in education.

Elizabeth Alda in The Four Seasons

Elizabeth appeared in the 1981 comedy-drama The Four Seasons.

The movie was written and directed by her father, Alan Alda, who also starred as Jack Burroughs.

Elizabeth played Beth Burroughs, Jack’s daughter.

Her younger sister Beatrice also appeared in the film as Lisa Callan. The cast included Carol Burnett, Rita Moreno, Sandy Dennis, Len Cariou, Jack Weston, and Bess Armstrong.

Elizabeth later returned as Beth Burroughs in the television adaptation of The Four Seasons.

The TV series aired in 1984, and Elizabeth appeared in all 13 episodes.

Some online biographies incorrectly refer to a separate 1984 Four Seasons film. It was a television series based on the 1981 movie.

Her Role in Night of the Creeps

Elizabeth also appeared in the 1986 science-fiction horror comedy Night of the Creeps.

The movie was written and directed by Fred Dekker.

Elizabeth had a small role credited as Cop in Alley.

Some biographies incorrectly identify her character as Ellen. Established screen credits list her as Cop in Alley.

Night of the Creeps became a cult horror film, but Elizabeth did not continue pursuing a major acting career afterward.

Why Did Elizabeth Alda Leave Acting?

Elizabeth eventually realized that acting was not the career she wanted to continue.

Alan Alda has said that his daughter worked as an actress before deciding she did not particularly enjoy the profession.

Elizabeth later explained that teaching gave her more creative enjoyment than acting.

She moved into education and began working with deaf and hard-of-hearing students and students with other learning needs.

Her Career in Special Education

Education became Elizabeth’s main professional career.

She developed experience in special education, deaf and hard-of-hearing education, literacy, dyslexia, and other learning differences.

Her professional credentials include a K–12 Deaf and Hard of Hearing teaching license. Records associated with her professional profile indicate that the license was originally issued in 1990.

She also holds a K–8 Moderate Special Needs license, reportedly issued in 2005.

Her career in education has lasted much longer than her acting career.

Work at The Learning Center for the Deaf

Elizabeth has worked with The Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham, Massachusetts.

The organization provides education and other services for deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

Elizabeth has been described as a literacy coach and special educator. Her professional background also lists proficiency in American Sign Language.

Her work has focused in part on helping students develop reading and literacy skills.

Her Work With Dyslexia and Literacy

Elizabeth has additional training related to reading difficulties and dyslexia.

She completed Orton-Gillingham training in 2021. Orton-Gillingham is a structured approach commonly used to teach reading and language skills.

She has also held a Wilson Language System credential.

These qualifications are connected with her work supporting students with learning differences.

Learning Disability Advocacy

Elizabeth has also been involved with organizations that support people with learning disabilities.

She served as a board member of Eye to Eye National from 2008 until 2018. She later joined the organization’s Leadership Council.

Eye to Eye focuses on young people with learning and attention differences.

Elizabeth is also identified by the Neurodiversity Alliance as a special educator and learning disability advocate.

Jenjo Foundation

Elizabeth’s professional background also connects her with the Jenjo Foundation.

She has reportedly served as a trustee of the family foundation since 1990.

The foundation has provided support to organizations with mentoring programs.

This work is separate from both her acting career and her direct work as an educator.

Elizabeth Alda’s Husband

Elizabeth uses the professional name Elizabeth Alda O’Heaney.

Secondary sources identify her husband as William O’Heaney. However, Elizabeth has kept her marriage largely private.

Reliable public information about their wedding date, her husband’s profession, and other details of their relationship is limited.

Elizabeth Alda’s Daughter

Elizabeth is reported to have a daughter named Elle O’Heaney.

Reports say Elle has severe dyslexia and that her experiences helped shape Elizabeth’s interest in learning disabilities and literacy education.

Elle has remained outside the public spotlight. Reliable information about her age, education, career, and personal life is limited.

Elizabeth Alda’s Net Worth

Elizabeth Alda’s personal net worth is not reliably known.

Some celebrity websites estimate her wealth at around $2 million, but there is no reliable financial evidence supporting this figure.

Her income has come from her professional work, including her earlier acting career and her much longer career in education.

Public Appearances

Elizabeth made several public appearances with her family when she was younger.

She attended entertainment events connected with her father and was photographed with Alan, Arlene, Eve, and Beatrice.

She was also photographed with her father at the premiere of Sweet Liberty in Beverly Hills in April 1986.

As her career moved away from acting, her public appearances became less focused on Hollywood.

Social Media and Professional Presence

Elizabeth does not appear to maintain a widely known celebrity-focused social media presence.

She has a professional online presence under the name Elizabeth Alda O’Heaney, EdD, where information about her education and special education work has been shared.

There is no clearly verified public Instagram or X account that can confidently be identified as her official account.

What Is Elizabeth Alda Doing Now?

Elizabeth’s more recent work is connected with education, literacy, and learning disability advocacy.

She has been associated with The Learning Center for the Deaf and the Neurodiversity Alliance.

Her work focuses on helping students with learning differences rather than acting.

Facts About Elizabeth Alda

• Elizabeth Alda was born on August 20, 1960.
• She is the middle daughter of Alan and Arlene Alda.
• Her sisters are Eve Alda Coffey and Beatrice Alda.
• She reportedly studied drama or theater at Kenyon College.
• Elizabeth appeared with her father in The Four Seasons in 1981.
• She played Beth Burroughs in the film.
• She returned for the 1984 television adaptation of The Four Seasons.
• Elizabeth had a small role in Night of the Creeps in 1986.
• She left acting and developed a career in special education.
• She has worked with deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
• Elizabeth earned a Doctor of Education degree from Northeastern University.
• Her professional name is Elizabeth Alda O’Heaney, EdD.
• She has worked with The Learning Center for the Deaf.
• Her professional training includes literacy and dyslexia education.
• She has been involved with Eye to Eye and the Neurodiversity Alliance.
• Her husband is reported to be William O’Heaney.
• She is reported to have a daughter named Elle O’Heaney.
• Her personal net worth is not reliably known.

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