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Hal Linden

Television Director | * 03/20/1931 (93) | New York City, New York (United States of America (USA))
Hal Linden (born Harold Lipshitz, March 20, 1931) is an American stage and screen actor, television director and musician. Linden began his career as a big band musician and singer in the 1950s. After a stint in the United States Army, he began an acting career, first working in summer stock and off-Broadway productions. Linden found success on Broadway when he replaced Sydney Chaplin in the musical Bells Are Ringing. In 1962, he starred as Billy Crocker in the off-Broadway revival of the Cole Porter musical Anything Goes. In 1971, he won a Best Actor Tony Award for his portrayal of Mayer Rothschild in the musical The Rothschilds. In 1974, Linden landed his best-known role as the title character in the television comedy series Barney Miller. The role earned him seven Primetime Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations. During the series' run, Linden also hosted two educational series, Animals, Animals, Animals and FYI. He won two special Daytime Emmy Awards for the latter series. Linden won a third Daytime Emmy Award for a guest-starring role on CBS Schoolbreak Special in 1995. Linden has since contin... ()
Photo of 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.

Most frequent genres for this person: Comedies | Drama | TV Movies

Known for these Movies & Shows

Awards & Nominations for Hal Linden

3x Daytime Emmy Awards Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical
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Movies with Hal Linden as Actor(30)

as Merv2023 Merv
as Mr. Greenwald2023 You People
as Samuel2018 The Samuel Project
as Grandpa Sommers2014 Light Years Away
as Blaine Mitchell2003 Dumb Luck
as The Dean2003 Time Changer
as Arnold Janusz2002 The Glow
as Mac Valor1997 Out to Sea
as Philip Denig1995 The Colony
as himself1990 Night Of 100 Stars III
as Harry Palliser1989 Dream Breakers
as Mel Arons1988 A New Life
as Lou Chadway1983 The Other Woman
as Josh Gilliam1983 Starflight One
as He (Michael)1983 I Do! I Do!
as Howard1980 Father Figure
as Richard Ethridge1979 When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
as himself1978 The Bermuda Depths
as Tony Bartlett1976 How to Break Up a Happy Divorce
as Det. Lou Isaacs1973 Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside
as Singer1960 Bells Are Ringing

TV Shows/Series with Hal Linden as Actor(33)

as Lester2011 2 Broke Girls
as Alex2010 Hot in Cleveland
as Rabbi Isaac Bass2005 Supernatural
as Leonard Maxwell1999 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
as Bernard1998 The King of Queens
as Senator Wallace1995 Nowhere Man
as Fred Hansen1994 The Boys Are Back
as Dave Price1994 Touched by an Angel
as Maury Sherry1993 The Nanny
as Narrator (voice)1988 American Experience
as Alexander Blacke1986 Blacke's Magic
as John1985 The Golden Girls
as Captain Black1985 The Ray Bradbury Theater
as Self - Special Guest Star1976 The Muppet Show
as himself1976 Donny & Marie
1975 Cher
as himself1975 Van Dyke and Company
as Barney Miller1975 Barney Miller
as Self (uncredited)1975 Saturday Night Live
as Narrator1974 NOVA
as David Wells1972 Ghost Story
as himself1967 The Carol Burnett Show
as Abel Norton1965 The F.B.I.

TV Shows/Series with Hal Linden as Crew(1)

Directing/Director1975 Barney Miller

Full Name: Harold Hal Linden
Born: Friday, 03/20 1931 (March) in New York City, New York (United States of America (USA)) (current age: 93 years + 9 days)
Zodiac sign: Pisces (Chinese zodiac sign: Goat)
Languages: English (EN)
Educated at: Queens College, City College of New York, High School of Music & Art, Herman Ridder Junior High School
Other names for Hal Linden (nicknames, foreign languages etc.):
"Harold Lipshitz"
Hal Linden frequently works together with these people:
Andy Samberg (29x, Actor)
Bill Hader (21x, Actor)
Fred Armisen (19x, Actor)
Kristen Wiig (17x, Actress)
Kenan Thompson (16x, Actor)
Will Forte (14x, Actor)
Betty White (12x, Actress)
Harold Gould (12x, Actor)
John Lovelady (12x, Cast)
Dabbs Greer (11x, Actor)
Fran Drescher (11x, Actress)
Rick McKay (6x, Crew)
WatchPlayStream ID: PEOPLE:33455, Added: 05/13/2018, Last updated: 03/27/2024