Hal Linden
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- March 20, 1931 (age 95)
- Birthplace
- New York City, New York, USA
Biography
Hal Linden (born Harold Lipshitz, March 20, 1931) is an American stage and screen actor, television director and musician. His best-known role was as the title character in the television comedy series Barney Miller, for which he earned seven Primetime Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations. Born in the Bronx, Linden was the son of Charles Lipshitz and Frances Rosen. His older brother would become a future professor of music at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. Similarly musical, Hal took up classical clarinet in his late teens and played regularly with symphony orchestras. After graduating from the High School of Music and Art in Manhattan, he studied music at Queens College, moving later to City College to pursue business. Hal also played in dance bands and was asked to join Sammy Kaye on tour before being drafted into the Army, where he sang and provided entertainment for the troops. This sparked an interest in acting, and, upon receiving his discharge, he enrolled at New York's American Theatre Wing where he trained in voice and drama. In 1955, Hal met Frances Martin, a dancer. They married three years later, and she gave up her career to raise a family. Hal's first Broadway show was in "Bells Are Ringing" where he understudied lead Jeff Moss. During the 1960s, Hal accumulated more musical credits in "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever," "Subways Are for Sleeping," "The Apple Tree" and "The Pajama Game." He won the 1971 Tony award for his role in "The Rothschilds." This particular stage success led to a TV career that culminated in the title role on the popular Barney Miller (1974) sitcom. Emmy-nominated every year the program aired, Hal became a household name. Since that time, he has appeared in other lesser TV series including Blacke's Magic (1986), and Jack's Place (1992). He has held a secondary presence in such films as A New Life (1988) and Out to Sea (1997). More musical leads such as "I Do! I Do!" and "The Pajama Game" came his way, along with dramatic pursuits in "I'm Not Rappaport" and "The Sisters Rosenzweig." Hal has also undertaken musical tours in his continuing role as clarinetist. He and wife Frances are avid golfers during their spare time.
Known For
Filmography
Micro Budget
Movie · as Russel
Merv
Movie · as Merv
You People
Movie · as Mr. Greenwald
Off Broadway
Movie · as J.P. Fister
Hacks
TV · as Cliff Biff · 1 ep
Grand-Daddy Day Care
Movie · as Gabe
The Samuel Project
Movie · as Samuel
American Housewife
TV · as Mr. Montez · 1 ep
The Mindy Project
TV · as Manny · 1 ep
2 Broke Girls
TV · as Lester · 1 ep
NTSF:SD:SUV::
TV · as C.T. Dalton · 1 ep
Hot in Cleveland
TV · as Alex · 1 ep
Jack Taylor of Beverly Hills
Movie · as Self
Light Years Away
Movie · as Grandpa Sommers
Living with Fran
TV · 1 ep
Supernatural
TV · as Rabbi Isaac Bass · 1 ep
Grey's Anatomy
TV · as Bertram Hollister · 1 ep
The Tony Danza Show
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Time Changer
Movie · as The Dean
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Movie · as Self
Dumb Luck
Movie · as Blaine Mitchell
The Glow
Movie · as Arnold Janusz
The Zeta Project
TV · 1 ep
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
TV · as Mr. Turner · 1 ep
Gilmore Girls
TV · as Chad · 1 ep
Jump
Movie · as Shrink
The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads
Movie · as Ernie Landale
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TV · as Leonard Maxwell · 1 ep
Killers in the House
Movie
The King of Queens
TV · as Bernard · 1 ep
Will & Grace
TV · as Alan · 1 ep
Rude Awakening
TV · as Judge Howard Barrett · 1 ep
Out to Sea
Movie · as Mac
The Colony
Movie · as Philip Denig
Nowhere Man
TV · as Senator Wallace · 1 ep
The Drew Carey Show
TV · as Mr. Van zandt · 1 ep
America and the Holocaust: Deceit and Indifference
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Touched by an Angel
TV · as Dave Price, Sam Brown · 1 ep
The Boys Are Back
TV · as Fred Hansen · 18 eps
The Nanny
TV · as Maury Sherry · 1 ep
Jack's Place
TV · 19 eps
Night of 100 Stars III
Movie · as Self
Dream Breakers
Movie · as Harry Palliser
A New Life
Movie · as Mel Arons
American Experience
TV · as Narrator (voice) · 1 ep
The Grand Knockout Tournament
Movie · as Self
Let's Go Mets
Movie · as Self
Blacke's Magic
TV · as Alexander Blacke · 13 eps
My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn
Movie · as Jack Warner
Night of 100 Stars II
Movie · as Self
The Golden Girls
TV · as John · 1 ep
The Ray Bradbury Theater
TV · as Captain Black · 1 ep
The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
Movie · as Self - Performer
Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land
Movie · as Josh Gilliam
All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra
Movie · as Self
I Do! I Do!
Movie · as He (Michael)
The Other Woman
Movie · as Lou Chadway
James Bond: The First 21 Years
Movie · as Self
I Love Liberty
Movie · as Self
Night of 100 Stars
Movie · as Self
Christmas in Washington
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Father Figure
Movie · as Howard
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
Movie · as Richard Ethridge
The Love Boat
Movie · as Andrew Canaan
How to Break Up a Happy Divorce
Movie · as Tony Bartlett
Donny & Marie
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Battle of the Network Stars
TV · 2 eps
The Muppet Show
TV · as Self - Special Guest Star · 1 ep
Cher
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Van Dyke and Company
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Barney Miller
TV · as Barney Miller · 170 eps
People's Choice Awards
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Saturday Night Live
TV · as Self (uncredited) · 1 ep
Tony Orlando and Dawn
TV · as Self · 1 ep
NOVA
TV · as Narrator · 1 ep
Dinah!
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside
Movie · as Det. Lou Isaacs
Ghost Story
TV · as David Wells · 1 ep
Great Performances
TV · as Self · 2 eps
The Carol Burnett Show
TV · as Self · 1 ep
The F.B.I.
TV · as Abel Norton · 1 ep
That Man from Rio
Movie
The Mike Douglas Show
TV · as Self, Self - Co-Host · 2 eps
Bells Are Ringing
Movie · as Singer (uncredited)
Tony Awards
TV · as Self - Nominee, Self - Presenter / Performer, Self - Performer · 1 ep
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
TV · as Self · 1 ep