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.
Known For
Credits
- 2024 · Micro Budget as Russel
- 2023 · Merv as Merv
- 2023 · You People as Mr. Greenwald
- 2021 · Off Broadway as J.P. Fister
- 2019 · Grand-Daddy Day Care as Gabe
- 2018 · The Samuel Project as Samuel
- 2016 · American Housewife as
- 2014 · Light Years Away as Grandpa Sommers
- 2012 · The Mindy Project as Manny
- 2011 · 2 Broke Girls as Lester
- 2010 · Hot in Cleveland as Alex
- 2005 · Supernatural as Rabbi Isaac Bass
- 2005 · Living with Fran as
- 2005 · Grey's Anatomy as Bertram Hollister
- 2004 · The Tony Danza Show as Self
- 2003 · Time Changer as The Dean
- 2003 · Dumb Luck as Blaine Mitchell
- 2003 · Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There as Self
- 2002 · The Glow as Arnold Janusz
- 2001 · Law & Order: Criminal Intent as Mr. Turner
- 2001 · The Zeta Project as
- 2000 · Gilmore Girls as Chad
- 1999 · Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Leonard Maxwell
- 1999 · The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads as Ernie Landale
- 1999 · Jump as Shrink
- 1998 · Killers in the House as
- 1998 · The King of Queens as Bernard
- 1998 · Will & Grace as Alan
- 1997 · Out to Sea as Mac Valor
- 1995 · The Drew Carey Show as Mr. Van zandt
- 1995 · The Colony as Philip Denig
- 1995 · Nowhere Man as Senator Wallace
- 1994 · Touched by an Angel as Dave Price
- 1994 · Touched by an Angel as Sam Brown
- 1994 · The Boys Are Back as Fred Hansen
- 1994 · America and the Holocaust: Deceit and Indifference as Narrator (voice)
- 1993 · The Nanny as Maury Sherry
- 1992 · Jack's Place as
- 1990 · Night of 100 Stars III as Self
- 1989 · Dream Breakers as Harry Palliser
- 1988 · American Experience as Narrator (voice)
- 1988 · A New Life as Mel Arons
- 1987 · The Grand Knockout Tournament as Self
- 1986 · Blacke's Magic as Alexander Blacke
- 1985 · The Golden Girls as John
- 1985 · The Ray Bradbury Theater as Captain Black
- 1985 · Night of 100 Stars II as Self
- 1985 · My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn as Jack Warner
- 1983 · All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra as Self
- 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
- 1982 · Christmas in Washington as Self
- 1982 · I Love Liberty as Self
- 1982 · Night of 100 Stars as Self
- 1980 · Father Figure as Howard
- 1979 · When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? as Richard Ethridge
- 1976 · Battle of the Network Stars as
- 1976 · How to Break Up a Happy Divorce as Tony Bartlett
- 1976 · The Love Boat as Andrew Canaan
- 1976 · The Muppet Show as Self - Special Guest Star
- 1976 · Donny & Marie as Self
- 1975 · Van Dyke and Company as Self
- 1975 · Saturday Night Live as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- 1975 · Cher as Self
- 1975 · Barney Miller as Barney Miller
- 1974 · Tony Orlando and Dawn as Self
- 1974 · NOVA as Narrator
- 1973 · Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside as Det. Lou Isaacs
- 1972 · Ghost Story as David Wells
- 1971 · Great Performances as Self
- 1967 · The Carol Burnett Show as Self
- 1965 · The F.B.I. as Abel Norton
- 1964 · That Man from Rio as
- 1961 · The Mike Douglas Show as Self
- 1961 · The Mike Douglas Show as Self - Co-Host
- 1960 · Bells Are Ringing as Singer
- 1956 · Tony Awards as Self - Presenter
- 1956 · Tony Awards as Self - Presenter/Performer
- 1956 · Tony Awards as Self - Performer
- 1956 · Tony Awards as Self - Presenter / Performer
- 1956 · Tony Awards as Self - Nominee
- 1948 · Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as Self