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
ActingBirthday
March 20, 1931Gender
MaleKnown Movie Credits
34Place of birth
New York City, New York, USA![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/leCMDfBs98RFJ7RVQFWZDLJpYkg.jpg)
Cast credits
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/24wBAt0OAbFukArnE8SLKp0JYP3.jpg)
Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land
Josh Gilliam![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/cqkfKoK5YLqrOhvnsqdz9Zbgni6.jpg)
Time Changer
The Dean![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/de3GHQy3TJAVhgF6ys1aWpe5jWK.jpg)
Out to Sea
Mac Valor![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/n79mcJ4Csbg7ePc3Hs6Fgyc8oaL.jpg)
The Glow
Arnold Janusz![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/btsWEWBfIpHB5Bbebol0wUn0Hk.jpg)
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
Richard Ethridge![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/6otx5i30afoUN6n0U3pPO2P7p11.jpg)
The Colony
Philip Denig![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/ify7uFhT6OGqQwaPYvRYdE0bENB.jpg)
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Self![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/yqeKfuh0DARivuw2SgN3lcouaVe.jpg)
A New Life
Mel Arons![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/y19jMxdTzpF4F1JbSTNAPDjrJU1.jpg)
Father Figure
Howard![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/iwZ81RE1JoLjp0GTgS1BXu3STRj.jpg)
Killers in the House
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/7OTqeTTw2TionlpmtbdspkjpLJP.jpg)
Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside
Det. Lou Isaacs![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/fBbLJ2jISBHw2vY4SXMl94g3SW4.jpg)
All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra
Self![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/7gURBT8J0QirRS1VXjuYR0P3lNt.jpg)
My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn
Jack Warner![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/dl9piksoTBG9hAF16t7Ajqibec.jpg)
The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads
Ernie Landale![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/rvXqZRJoBB6j0E80kjYFZzpMjsX.jpg)
The Samuel Project
Samuel![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/tP2RNWPoS2RMioR5T23vaMxwh9C.jpg)
I Do! I Do!
He (Michael)![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/seSETSfIQmDd4g0bgEfcadMWBP5.jpg)
How to Break Up a Happy Divorce
Tony Bartlett![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/rHTw5koRg2otsKh1YyFXpDveurx.jpg)
America and the Holocaust: Deceit and Indifference
Narrator (voice)![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/1XigaSX2wbUYWttuZjHiFD8sSpU.jpg)
Bells Are Ringing
Singer