Hal Linden
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.
I Love Liberty
(Self)
Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land
(Josh Gilliam)
Jump
(Shrink)
Time Changer
(The Dean)
Out to Sea
(Mac Valor)
Grand-Daddy Day Care
(Gabe)
The Glow
(Arnold Janusz)
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
(Richard Ethridge)
The Colony
(Philip Denig)
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
(Self)
A New Life
(Mel Arons)
Father Figure
(Howard)
Dumb Luck
(Blaine Mitchell)
Killers in the House
Merv
(Merv)
Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside
(Det. Lou Isaacs)
Night of 100 Stars III
(Self)
All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra
(Self)
My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn
(Jack Warner)
You People
(Mr. Greenwald)
Night of 100 Stars II
(Self)
The Grand Knockout Tournament
(Self)
Micro Budget
(Russel)
The Love Boat
(Andrew Canaan)
The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads
(Ernie Landale)
The Samuel Project
(Samuel)
I Do! I Do!
(He (Michael))
How to Break Up a Happy Divorce
(Tony Bartlett)
America and the Holocaust: Deceit and Indifference
(Narrator (voice))
Bells Are Ringing
(Singer)
Light Years Away
(Grandpa Sommers)
Dream Breakers
(Harry Palliser)
That Man from Rio
Off Broadway
(J.P. Fister)
The Other Woman
(Lou Chadway)
Night of 100 Stars
(Self)
Living with Fran
The Tony Danza Show
(Self)
The F.B.I.
(Abel Norton)
The Golden Girls
(John)
Touched by an Angel
(Dave Price)
The Nanny
(Maury Sherry)
Donny & Marie
(Self)
The King of Queens
(Bernard)
The Zeta Project
The Ray Bradbury Theater
(Captain Black)
Gilmore Girls
(Chad)
The Boys Are Back
(Fred Hansen)
Battle of the Network Stars
Blacke's Magic
(Alexander Blacke)
Christmas in Washington
(Self)
Ghost Story
(David Wells)
Cher
(Self)
Tony Awards
(Self - Presenter)
The Muppet Show
(Self - Special Guest Star)
Van Dyke and Company
(Self)
Tony Orlando and Dawn
(Self)
Jack's Place
Saturday Night Live
(Self - Cameo (uncredited))
Barney Miller
(Barney Miller)
2 Broke Girls
(Lester)
NOVA
(Narrator)
The Mindy Project
(Manny)
Tony Awards
(Self - Presenter/Performer)
The Mike Douglas Show
(Self)
Tony Awards
(Self - Performer)
Supernatural
(Rabbi Isaac Bass)
Nowhere Man
(Senator Wallace)
American Experience
(Narrator (voice))
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
(Mr. Turner)
The Drew Carey Show
(Mr. Van zandt)
The Carol Burnett Show
(Self)
Grey's Anatomy
(Bertram Hollister)
Tony Awards
(Self - Presenter / Performer)
Tony Awards
(Self - Nominee)
Hot in Cleveland
(Alex)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
(Self)
American Housewife
Will & Grace
(Alan)
The Mike Douglas Show
(Self - Co-Host)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
(Leonard Maxwell)
Touched by an Angel
(Sam Brown)
Great Performances
(Self)