
Hal Linden
Born
March 20, 1931 (94 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
New York City, New York, USA
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

Micro Budget
Russel
2024

Merv
Merv
2023

You People
Mr. Greenwald
2023

Off Broadway
J.P. Fister
2021

Hacks
Cliff Biff · (1 episode)
2021

Grand-Daddy Day Care
Gabe
2019

The Samuel Project
Samuel
2018

American Housewife
Mr. Montez · (1 episode)
2016

The Mindy Project
Manny · (1 episode)
2012

2 Broke Girls
Lester · (1 episode)
2011

Hot in Cleveland
Alex · (1 episode)
2010

Jack Taylor of Beverly Hills
Self
2007

Light Years Away
Grandpa Sommers
2006

Supernatural
Rabbi Isaac Bass · (1 episode)
2005

Living with Fran
(1 episode)
2005

Grey's Anatomy
Bertram Hollister · (1 episode)
2005
The Tony Danza Show
Self · (1 episode)
2004

Time Changer
The Dean
2003

Dumb Luck
Blaine Mitchell
2003

Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Self
2003

The Glow
Arnold Janusz
2002

Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Mr. Turner · (1 episode)
2001

The Zeta Project
(1 episode)
2001

Gilmore Girls
Chad · (1 episode)
2000

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Leonard Maxwell · (1 episode)
1999

The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads
Ernie Landale
1999

Jump
Shrink
1999

Killers in the House
1998

The King of Queens
Bernard · (1 episode)
1998

Will & Grace
Alan · (1 episode)
1998

Out to Sea
Mac Valor
1997

The Colony
Philip Denig
1995

The Drew Carey Show
Mr. Van zandt · (1 episode)
1995

Nowhere Man
Senator Wallace · (1 episode)
1995

Touched by an Angel
Dave Price · (1 episode)
1994

Touched by an Angel
Sam Brown · (1 episode)
1994
The Boys Are Back
Fred Hansen · (18 episodes)
1994

America and the Holocaust: Deceit and Indifference
Narrator (voice)
1994

The Nanny
Maury Sherry · (1 episode)
1993

Jack's Place
(19 episodes)
1992

Night of 100 Stars III
Self
1990

Dream Breakers
Harry Palliser
1989

American Experience
Narrator (voice) · (1 episode)
1988

A New Life
Mel Arons
1988
The Grand Knockout Tournament
Self
1987

Blacke's Magic
Alexander Blacke · (13 episodes)
1986

The Golden Girls
John · (1 episode)
1985

The Ray Bradbury Theater
Captain Black · (1 episode)
1985

Night of 100 Stars II
Self
1985

My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn
Jack Warner
1985

The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
1984

All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra
Self
1983

I Do! I Do!
He (Michael)
1983

The Other Woman
Lou Chadway
1983

Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land
Josh Gilliam
1983
Christmas in Washington
Self · (1 episode)
1982

I Love Liberty
Self
1982

Night of 100 Stars
Self
1982

Father Figure
Howard
1980

When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
Richard Ethridge
1979

Battle of the Network Stars
(2 episodes)
1976

How to Break Up a Happy Divorce
Tony Bartlett
1976

The Love Boat
Andrew Canaan
1976

The Muppet Show
Self - Special Guest Star · (1 episode)
1976

Donny & Marie
Self · (1 episode)
1976

Van Dyke and Company
Self · (1 episode)
1975

Saturday Night Live
Self - Cameo (uncredited) · (1 episode)
1975

Cher
Self · (1 episode)
1975

Barney Miller
Barney Miller · (170 episodes)
1975

Tony Orlando and Dawn
Self · (1 episode)
1974

NOVA
Narrator · (1 episode)
1974

Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside
Det. Lou Isaacs
1973

Ghost Story
David Wells · (1 episode)
1972

Great Performances
Self · (2 episodes)
1971

The Carol Burnett Show
Self · (1 episode)
1967

The F.B.I.
Abel Norton · (1 episode)
1965

That Man from Rio
1964

The Mike Douglas Show
Self · (2 episodes)
1961

The Mike Douglas Show
Self - Co-Host · (1 episode)
1961

Bells Are Ringing
Singer (uncredited)
1960

Tony Awards
Self - Presenter · (4 episodes)
1956

Tony Awards
Self - Presenter/Performer · (2 episodes)
1956

Tony Awards
Self - Performer · (1 episode)
1956

Tony Awards
Self - Presenter / Performer · (1 episode)
1956

Tony Awards
Self - Nominee · (1 episode)
1956

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Self · (1 episode)
1948