
Hal Linden
Acting
1931-03-20 - Present
Born in 1931, Bronx-born Hal Linden was the son of Charles Lipshitz and Frances Rosen and had an older brother who 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.
Credits

You PeopleasMr. Greenwald

Out to SeaasMac Valor

That Man from Rioas

Night of 100 StarsasSelf

Bells Are RingingasSinger (uncredited)

Night of 100 Stars IIasSelf

The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It LeadsasErnie Landale

Time ChangerasThe Dean

Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't LandasJosh Gilliam

Grand-Daddy Day CareasGabe

Night of 100 Stars IIIasSelf

A New LifeasMel Arons

When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?asRichard Ethridge

My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol FlynnasJack Warner

The ColonyasPhilip Denig

The Samuel ProjectasSamuel

Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were ThereasSelf

I Love LibertyasSelf
The Grand Knockout TournamentasSelf

JumpasShrink

The GlowasArnold Janusz

The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Teamas

Off BroadwayasJ.P. Fister

Light Years AwayasGrandpa Sommers

The Other WomanasLou Chadway

Micro BudgetasRussel

All-Star Party for Frank SinatraasSelf

Dumb LuckasBlaine Mitchell

How to Break Up a Happy DivorceasTony Bartlett

Mr. Inside/Mr. OutsideasDet. Lou Isaacs

The Love BoatasAndrew Canaan

I Do! I Do!asHe (Michael)

Dream BreakersasHarry Palliser

Killers in the Houseas

Father FigureasHoward

MervasMerv

Jack Taylor of Beverly HillsasSelf

America and the Holocaust: Deceit and IndifferenceasNarrator (voice)