Hal Linden
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- Mar 20, 1931 (age 95)
- Place of birth
- New York City, New York, USA
- Credits
- 86
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
2026Movie
Russel
Merv
2023Movie
Merv
You People
2023Movie
Mr. Greenwald
Off Broadway
2021Movie
J.P. Fister
Hacks
2021TV
Cliff Biff
Grand-Daddy Day Care
2019Movie
Gabe
The Samuel Project
2018Movie
Samuel
American Housewife
2016TV
Mr. Montez
The Mindy Project
2012TV
Manny
2 Broke Girls
2011TV
Lester
NTSF:SD:SUV::
2011TV
C.T. Dalton
Hot in Cleveland
2010TV
Alex
Jack Taylor of Beverly Hills
2007Movie
Self
Light Years Away
2006Movie
Grandpa Sommers
Supernatural
2005TV
Rabbi Isaac Bass
Living with Fran
2005TV
Grey's Anatomy
2005TV
Bertram Hollister
The Tony Danza Show
2004TV
Self
Time Changer
2003Movie
The Dean
Dumb Luck
2003Movie
Blaine Mitchell
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
2003Movie
Self
The Glow
2002Movie
Arnold Janusz
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
2001TV
Mr. Turner
The Zeta Project
2001TV
Gilmore Girls
2000TV
Chad
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999TV
Leonard Maxwell
The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads
1999Movie
Ernie Landale
Jump
1999Movie
Shrink
Killers in the House
1998Movie
The King of Queens
1998TV
Bernard
Will & Grace
1998TV
Alan
Rude Awakening
1998TV
Judge Howard Barrett
Out to Sea
1997Movie
Mac
The Colony
1995Movie
Philip Denig
The Drew Carey Show
1995TV
Mr. Van zandt
Nowhere Man
1995TV
Senator Wallace
Touched by an Angel
1994TV
Dave Price, Sam Brown
The Boys Are Back
1994TV
Fred Hansen
America and the Holocaust: Deceit and Indifference
1994Movie
Narrator (voice)
The Nanny
1993TV
Maury Sherry
Jack's Place
1992TV
Night of 100 Stars III
1990Movie
Self
Dream Breakers
1989Movie
Harry Palliser
American Experience
1988TV
Narrator (voice)
A New Life
1988Movie
Mel Arons
The Grand Knockout Tournament
1987Movie
Self
Blacke's Magic
1986TV
Alexander Blacke
Let's Go Mets
1986Movie
Self
The Golden Girls
1985TV
John
The Ray Bradbury Theater
1985TV
Captain Black
Night of 100 Stars II
1985Movie
Self
My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn
1985Movie
Jack Warner
The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
1984Movie
Self - Performer
All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra
1983Movie
Self
I Do! I Do!
1983Movie
He (Michael)
James Bond: The First 21 Years
1983Movie
Self
The Other Woman
1983Movie
Lou Chadway
Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land
1983Movie
Josh Gilliam
Christmas in Washington
1982TV
Self
I Love Liberty
1982Movie
Self
Night of 100 Stars
1982Movie
Self
Father Figure
1980Movie
Howard
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
1979Movie
Richard Ethridge
Battle of the Network Stars
1976TV
How to Break Up a Happy Divorce
1976Movie
Tony Bartlett
The Love Boat
1976Movie
Andrew Canaan
The Muppet Show
1976TV
Self - Special Guest Star
Donny & Marie
1976TV
Self
Van Dyke and Company
1975TV
Self
Saturday Night Live
1975TV
Self (uncredited)
People's Choice Awards
1975TV
Self
Cher
1975TV
Self
Barney Miller
1975TV
Barney Miller
Tony Orlando and Dawn
1974TV
Self
Dinah!
1974TV
Self
NOVA
1974TV
Narrator
Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside
1973Movie
Det. Lou Isaacs
Ghost Story
1972TV
David Wells
Great Performances
1971TV
Self
The Carol Burnett Show
1967TV
Self
The F.B.I.
1965TV
Abel Norton
That Man from Rio
1964Movie
The Mike Douglas Show
1961TV
Self, Self - Co-Host
Bells Are Ringing
1960Movie
Singer (uncredited)
Tony Awards
1956TV
Self - Nominee, Self - Presenter / Performer, Self - Presenter, Self - Performer
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1948TV
Self