Hal Linden
Acting • Born 1931-03-20
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.
Filmography
84 credits
I Love Liberty
Movie • 1982
Self
Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land
Movie • 1983
Josh Gilliam
Jump
Movie • 1999
Shrink
Time Changer
Movie • 2003
The Dean
Out to Sea
Movie • 1997
Mac Valor
Grand-Daddy Day Care
Movie • 2019
Gabe
The Glow
Movie • 2002
Arnold Janusz
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
Movie • 1979
Richard Ethridge
The Colony
Movie • 1995
Philip Denig
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Movie • 2003
Self
A New Life
Movie • 1988
Mel Arons
Father Figure
Movie • 1980
Howard
Dumb Luck
Movie • 2003
Blaine Mitchell
Killers in the House
Movie • 1998
Merv
Movie • 2023
Merv
Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside
Movie • 1973
Det. Lou Isaacs
Night of 100 Stars III
Movie • 1990
Self
All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra
Movie • 1983
Self
My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn
Movie • 1985
Jack Warner
You People
Movie • 2023
Mr. Greenwald
Night of 100 Stars II
Movie • 1985
Self
The Grand Knockout Tournament
Movie • 1987
Self
Micro Budget
Movie • 2026
Russel
The Love Boat
Movie • 1976
Andrew Canaan
The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads
Movie • 1999
Ernie Landale
The Samuel Project
Movie • 2018
Samuel
I Do! I Do!
Movie • 1983
He (Michael)
How to Break Up a Happy Divorce
Movie • 1976
Tony Bartlett
America and the Holocaust: Deceit and Indifference
Movie • 1994
Narrator (voice)
Bells Are Ringing
Movie • 1960
Singer (uncredited)
Light Years Away
Movie • 2006
Grandpa Sommers
Dream Breakers
Movie • 1989
Harry Palliser
That Man from Rio
Movie • 1964
Off Broadway
Movie • 2021
J.P. Fister
The Other Woman
Movie • 1983
Lou Chadway
Night of 100 Stars
Movie • 1982
Self
Jack Taylor of Beverly Hills
Movie • 2007
Self
The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
Movie • 1984
Self - Performer
James Bond: The First 21 Years
Movie • 1983
Self
Let's Go Mets
Movie • 1986
Self
Living with Fran
TV • 2005
The Tony Danza Show
TV • 2004
Self
The F.B.I.
TV • 1965
Abel Norton
The Golden Girls
TV • 1985
John
Touched by an Angel
TV • 1994
Dave Price
The Nanny
TV • 1993
Maury Sherry
Donny & Marie
TV • 1976
Self
The King of Queens
TV • 1998
Bernard
The Zeta Project
TV • 2001
The Ray Bradbury Theater
TV • 1985
Captain Black
Gilmore Girls
TV • 2000
Chad
The Boys Are Back
TV • 1994
Fred Hansen
Battle of the Network Stars
TV • 1976
Blacke's Magic
TV • 1986
Alexander Blacke
Christmas in Washington
TV • 1982
Self
Ghost Story
TV • 1972
David Wells
Cher
TV • 1975
Self
The Muppet Show
TV • 1976
Self - Special Guest Star
Van Dyke and Company
TV • 1975
Self
Tony Orlando and Dawn
TV • 1974
Self
Jack's Place
TV • 1992
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
Barney Miller
TV • 1975
Barney Miller
2 Broke Girls
TV • 2011
Lester
NOVA
TV • 1974
Narrator
The Mindy Project
TV • 2012
Manny
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self
Supernatural
TV • 2005
Rabbi Isaac Bass
Nowhere Man
TV • 1995
Senator Wallace
American Experience
TV • 1988
Narrator (voice)
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
TV • 2001
Mr. Turner
The Drew Carey Show
TV • 1995
Mr. Van zandt
The Carol Burnett Show
TV • 1967
Self
Grey's Anatomy
TV • 2005
Bertram Hollister
Hot in Cleveland
TV • 2010
Alex
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
TV • 1948
Self
American Housewife
TV • 2016
Mr. Montez
Will & Grace
TV • 1998
Alan
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self - Co-Host
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TV • 1999
Leonard Maxwell
Touched by an Angel
TV • 1994
Sam Brown
Great Performances
TV • 1971
Self
Hacks
TV • 2021
Cliff Biff
People's Choice Awards
TV • 1975
Self