Joan Browne: What Happened To Robert Alda’s Ex-wife?

Joan Browne is the ex-wife of Italian-American theatrical and film actor, singer, and dancer Robert Alda. Joan’s former husband Robert appeared in Rhapsody in Blue (1945), Cloak and Dagger (1946), The Man I Love (1947), Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950), The Devil’s Hand (1961), The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1969) and MAS*H (1975–1980, TV series), among others. Joan is the mother of actor and writer Alan Alda.

Joan Browne: Bio Summary

Who Was Robert Alda’s Ex-wife, Joan Browne?

Joan Browne is the first wife of Robert Alda. Joan was born Josephine M. Browne, on 24 June 1908, in Pottsville, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, United States. She was the daughter of Michael Francis Brown and Agnes Cecelia (Dugan) Calnan. She grew up in Pennsylvania and relocated to New York at some point. She was of Irish descent.

Joan Browne became the winner of the Miss New York beauty pageant. She met and married Alfonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D’Abruzzo best known as Robert Alda. Joan and Robert got married on December 31, 1932, in a beautiful ceremony. Their union was blessed with one child. Their only son is Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo also known as Alan Alda.

ALSO, READ; Beatrice Alda: Facts About Alan Alda’s daughter?

Alan Alda was born on January 28, 1936, in New York City, New York, U.S. Joan became a homemaker. She took care of her family. Alan spent his childhood traveling around the United States with his parents, supporting his father’s career as a performer. Alan contracted polio at the age of seven years. Joan suffered from severe mental illness, which appeared to be schizophrenia.

Joan Browne’s mental illness affected her marriage to Robert Alda. Robert was unable to handle her situation which led to a divorce. They got divorced in the year 1946. After the divorce, Robert married his second wife Italian actress Flora Marino. He and Flora met in Rome. They started dating soon after they first met. They got married in the 1950s and had a son.

ALSO, READ; Elizabeth Alda: Facts About Alan Alda’s daughter

On December 9, 1956, Robert and Flora welcomed a son Antonio Joseph D’Abruzzo also known as Antony Alda or Tony. Antony became an actor. Unfortunately, Antony died from cirrhosis on July 3, 2009, aged 52. Robert and Flora remained married until Robert passed away in 1986.

Joan Browne’s Son Is An Actor And Author

Joan Browne’s son Alan Alda is an American actor, author, screenwriter, podcast host, and director. He is best known for his role as Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce in MAS*H (1972–1983). He wrote and directed several episodes of the series. He has appeared in films such as Paper Lion, Jenny, To Kill a Clown, Same Time, Next Year, and California Suite.

ALSO, READ: Teresa Barrick: Inside The Life Of Steven Tyler’s Ex-wife

Alan is also known for his appearances in the films Crimes and Misdemeanors, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Everyone Says I Love You, Flirting with Disaster, Tower Heist, Bridge of Spies, and Marriage Story. He appeared in TV series including ER, The West Wing, 30 Rock, The Big C, and The Blacklist. He also appeared in the series Horace and Pete, The Good Fight, and Ray Donovan.

Joan Browne’s son Alan Alda served as a director for The Four Seasons, Sweet Liberty, A New Life, and Betsy’s Wedding. He hosts the podcast Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda and previously hosted Science Clear + Vivid. He was awarded a Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording nomination for Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself.

ALSO, READ; Arlene Alda: 5 Facts About Alan Alda’s wife

Alan Alda is a six-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner and a three-time Tony Award nominee. He is also known for his extensive charity work. He published his first memoir, Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: and Other Things I’ve Learned, his second memoir, Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself, and his third memoir, If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating.

ALSO, READ; Eve Alda: Where is Alan Alda’s daughter now?

What Happened To Robert Alda’s Ex-wife?

Joan Browne died on 28 September 1984 at age 76, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA. Her ex-husband Robert Alda died on May 3, 1986, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., at age 72. He died after a long illness following a stroke. He is buried in the Garden of Ascension lot 9101 Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, California.