Hal Linden
Known for: Acting
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
Series
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Leonard Maxwell
1999
Series
Grey's Anatomy
Bertram Hollister
2005
Series
Supernatural
Rabbi Isaac Bass
2005
Series
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Mr. Turner
2001
Series
Saturday Night Live
Self (uncredited)
1975
Series
Gilmore Girls
Chad
2000
Series
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
1961
Series
The Mike Douglas Show
Self - Co-Host
1961
Series
The Nanny
Maury Sherry
1993
Series
NOVA
Narrator
1974
Series
Hacks
Cliff Biff
2021
Series
2 Broke Girls
Lester
2011
Series
The King of Queens
Bernard
1998
Series
Great Performances
Self
1971
Series
Tony Awards
Self - Nominee
1956
Series
Tony Awards
Self - Presenter / Performer
1956
Series
Tony Awards
Self - Presenter
1956
Series
Tony Awards
Self - Performer
1956
Series
Will & Grace
Alan
1998
Series
American Experience
Narrator (voice)
1988
Series
The Drew Carey Show
Mr. Van zandt
1995
Series
Hot in Cleveland
Alex
2010
Series
Touched by an Angel
Dave Price
1994
Series
Touched by an Angel
Sam Brown
1994
Series
American Housewife
Mr. Montez
2016
Series
Barney Miller
Barney Miller
1975
Series
The Golden Girls
John
1985
Series
The Mindy Project
Manny
2012
Series
The F.B.I.
Abel Norton
1965
Series
The Carol Burnett Show
Self
1967
The Tony Danza Show
Self
2004
Series
Dinah!
Self
1974
Series
People's Choice Awards
Self
1975
Series
The Muppet Show
Self - Special Guest Star
1976
Series
The Ray Bradbury Theater
Captain Black
1985
Series
Ghost Story
David Wells
1972
Series
The Zeta Project
2001
Series
Nowhere Man
Senator Wallace
1995
Series
Battle of the Network Stars
1976
Film
You People
Mr. Greenwald
2023
Series
Donny & Marie
Self
1976
Series
Rude Awakening
Judge Howard Barrett
1998
Series
Tony Orlando and Dawn
Self
1974
Series
Living with Fran
2005
Series
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Self
1948
Series
Cher
Self
1975
Series
Blacke's Magic
Alexander Blacke
1986
Series
Jack's Place
1992
Film
Out to Sea
Mac Valor
1997
Series
The Boys Are Back
Fred Hansen
1994
Film
That Man from Rio
1964
Film
The Other Woman
Lou Chadway
1983
Series
Van Dyke and Company
Self
1975
Film
Time Changer
The Dean
2003
Film
James Bond: The First 21 Years
Self
1983
Film
All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra
Self
1983
Christmas in Washington
Self
1982
Film
Night of 100 Stars III
Self
1990
Film
Night of 100 Stars II
Self
1985
Film
Night of 100 Stars
Self
1982
Film
A New Life
Mel Arons
1988
Film
Bells Are Ringing
Singer (uncredited)
1960
Film
The Grand Knockout Tournament
Self
1987
Film
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Self
2003
Film
Merv
Merv
2023
Film
Grand-Daddy Day Care
Gabe
2019
Film
Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land
Josh Gilliam
1983
Film
My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn
Jack Warner
1985
Film
Light Years Away
Grandpa Sommers
2006
Film
Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside
Det. Lou Isaacs
1973
Film
The Love Boat
Andrew Canaan
1976
Film
I Love Liberty
Self
1982
Film
Off Broadway
J.P. Fister
2021
Film
Let's Go Mets
Self
1986
Film
The Glow
Arnold Janusz
2002
Film
How to Break Up a Happy Divorce
Tony Bartlett
1976
Film
The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads
Ernie Landale
1999
Film
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
Richard Ethridge
1979
Film
Micro Budget
Russel
2026
Film
The Colony
Philip Denig
1995
Film
Dream Breakers
Harry Palliser
1989
Film
The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
Self - Performer
1984
Film
I Do! I Do!
He (Michael)
1983
Film
The Samuel Project
Samuel
2018
Film
Dumb Luck
Blaine Mitchell
2003
Film
Jump
Shrink
1999
Film
Killers in the House
1998
Film
Jack Taylor of Beverly Hills
Self
2007
Film
Father Figure
Howard
1980
Film
America and the Holocaust: Deceit and Indifference
Narrator (voice)
1994