HL
Hal Linden
Actor, Director, Additional CreditsBorn March 20, 1931 (94 years)
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.
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.
Hal Linden Filmography
| 2023 | You People · as Mr. Greenwald |
| 2021 | Hacks (2021) (TV Series) · as Cliff Biff |
| 2019 | Grand-Daddy Day Care · as Gabe |
| 2018 | The Samuel Project · as Samuel |
| 2016 | American Housewife (TV Series) · as Mr. Montez |
| 2016 | Stevie D · as Max Levine |
| 2013 | The Butler · as Barney Miller |
| 2012 | The Mindy Project (TV Series) · as Manny |
| 2011 | 2 Broke Girls (TV Series) · as Lester |
| 2011 | NTSF:SD:SUV:: (TV Series) · as C.t. Dalton |
| 2010 | Hot in Cleveland (TV Series) · as Alex |
| 2009 | Royal Pains (TV Series) · as Dr. Joseph Whitcomb |
| 2008 | A Kiss at Midnight · as Arthur Wright |
| 2006 | Light Years Away · as Grandpa Sommers |
| 2005 | Freezerburn · as Roderick Carr The Cult Leader |
| 2005 | Supernatural (TV Series) · as Rabbi Isaac Bass |
| 2005 | Living with Fran (TV Series) |
| 2005 | Grey's Anatomy (TV Series) · as Bertram Hollister |
| 2004 | Huff (TV Series) · as Judge Bork |
| 2002 | Time Changer · as The Dean |
| 2002 | The Glow · as Arnold Janusz |
| 2001 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent (TV Series) · as Mr. Turner |
| 2001 | Dumb Luck · as Blaine Mitchell |
| 2001 | Lloyd in Space (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 2001 | The Zeta Project (TV Series) |
| 2000 | Gilmore Girls (TV Series) · as Chad |
| 1999 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) · as Leonard Maxwell |
| 1999 | The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads · as Ernie Landale |
| 1999 | Jump · as Shrink |
| 1998 | |
| 1998 | The King of Queens (TV Series) · as Bernard |
| 1998 | Will & Grace (TV Series) · as Alan |
| 1998 | Rude Awakening (TV Series) · as Judge Howard Barrett |
| 1997 | The Others · as Principal Richard Meltzer |
| 1997 | Out to Sea · as Mac Valor |
| 1996 | Just Friends · as Mr. Barton |
| 1995 | The Colony · as Philip Denig |
| 1995 | The Drew Carey Show (TV Series) · as Mr. Van Zandt |
| 1995 | Nowhere Man (TV Series) · as Senator Wallace |
| 1994 | Touched by an Angel (TV Series) · as Dave Price |
| 1994 | The Boys are Back (TV Series) · as Fred Hansen |
| 1993 | The Nanny (TV Series) · as Maury Sherry |
| 1992 | Jack's Place (TV Series) |
| 1989 | Dream Breakers · as Harry Palliser |
| 1988 | American Experience (TV Series) · as Narrator (voice) |
| 1988 | A New Life · as Mel Arons |
| 1987 | Biography (TV Series) · as Narrator |
| 1987 | The Bold and the Beautiful (TV Series) · as Jerry Kramer |
| 1986 | Blacke's Magic (TV Series) · as Alexander Blacke |
| 1985 | The Golden Girls (TV Series) · as John |
| 1985 | The Ray Bradbury Theater (TV Series) · as Captain Black |
| 1985 | My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn · as Jack Warner |
| 1984 | CBS Schoolbreak Special (TV Series) · as Rabbi Markovitz |
| 1983 | I Do! I Do! · as He (michael) |
| 1983 | The Other Woman · as Lou Chadway |
| 1983 | Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land · as Josh Gilliam |
| 1980 | Father Figure · as Howard |
| 1980 | Magnitude 7.9 · as Narrator |
| 1979 | When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? · as Richard Ethridge |
| 1977 | Fish (TV Series) · as Capt. Barney Miller |
| 1976 | Battle of the Network Stars (TV Series) |
| 1976 | How to Break Up a Happy Divorce · as Tony Bartlett |
| 1976 | The Love Boat · as Andrew Canaan |
| 1975 | Barney Miller (TV Series) · as Barney Miller |
| 1974 | NOVA (TV Series) · as Narrator |
| 1973 | Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside · as Det. Lou Isaacs |
| 1972 | Ghost Story (TV Series) · as David Wells |
| 1965 | The F.B.I. (TV Series) · as Abel Norton |
| 1964 | |
| 1961 | Car 54, Where Are You? (TV Series) · as Assistant Da Clark |
| 1960 | Bells Are Ringing · as Singer (uncredited) |
| 1954 | Producers' Showcase (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 1951 | Search for Tomorrow (TV Series) · as Larry Carter |
| 2021 | History of the Sitcom (TV Series) · as Self - Actor |
| 2019 | The Bronx, USA · as Self |
| 2012 | Home & Family (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | The Tony Danza Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | |
| 1998 | Hollywood Squares (TV Series) · as Self - Panelist |
| 1998 | E! Mysteries & Scandals (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1997 | Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade · as Self |
| 1994 | WGN Morning News (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1990 | Sinatra 75: The Best Is Yet to Come · as Self |
| 1990 | Night of 100 Stars III · as Self |
| 1987 | The Grand Knockout Tournament · as Self |
| 1986 | |
| 1986 | NBC 60th Anniversary Celebration · as Self |
| 1985 | Night of 100 Stars II · as Self |
| 1984 | Super Password (TV Series) · as Self - Celebrity Contestant |
| 1984 | The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team · as Self - Performer |
| 1983 | James Bond: The First 21 Years · as Self |
| 1982 | |
| 1982 | The 34th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Nominee & Presenter |
| 1982 | I Love Liberty · as Self |
| 1982 | Night of 100 Stars · as Self |
| 1981 | Entertainment Tonight (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1981 | The 33rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 1981 | The 35th Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1979 | The 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Nominee & Presenter |
| 1979 | The 33rd Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1979 | The Mary Tyler Moore Hour (TV Series) · as Hal Linden |
| 1978 | |
| 1978 | The 30th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Nominee & Presenter |
| 1978 | The 32nd Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1978 | Dorothy Hamill Presents Winners · as Self |
| 1977 | An All-Star Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor · as Self - Audience Member |
| 1977 | The 29th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1977 | Battle of the Network Stars II · as Self - Abc Team |
| 1976 | Battle of the Network Stars · as Self - Abc Team |
| 1976 | Van Dyke and Company (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1976 | The Muppet Show (TV Series) · as Self - Special Guest Star |
| 1976 | The 30th Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Presenter & Performer |
| 1976 | Working in the Theatre (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Donny & Marie (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Saturday Night Live (TV Series) · as Self - Cameo (uncredited) |
| 1975 | |
| 1975 | Cher (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Good Morning America (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1974 | Dinah! (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1974 | Tony Orlando And Dawn (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1974 | Tattletales (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1973 | AFI Life Achievement Award (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1973 | The $10,000 Pyramid (TV Series) · as Self - Celebrity Contestant |
| 1971 | Great Performances (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1968 | The Dick Cavett Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1967 | The Carol Burnett Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1965 | The Hollywood Squares (TV Series) · as Self - Panelist |
| 1962 | The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1961 | The Mike Douglas Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1961 | Password (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1956 | Tony Awards (TV Series) · as Self - Presenter |
| 1952 | Today (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1948 | Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1948 | The Ed Sullivan Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1975 | Barney Miller (TV Series) |
| 2018 | The Samuel Project · as Co-Executive Producer |