Hal Linden Movies, TV Shows, and Filmography

Hal Linden

Hal Linden

Acting

Biography

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 Movies

Acting

I Love Liberty movie poster
MOVIE

I Love Liberty

Not rated yet
I Love Liberty
Self
Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land movie poster
MOVIE

Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land

5.0(0.0K)
Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land
Josh Gilliam
Jump movie poster
MOVIE

Jump

4.3(0.0K)
Jump
Shrink
Time Changer movie poster
MOVIE

Time Changer

5.6(0.1K)
Time Changer
The Dean
Out to Sea movie poster
MOVIE

Out to Sea

5.8(0.1K)
Out to Sea
Mac Valor
Grand-Daddy Day Care movie poster
MOVIE

Grand-Daddy Day Care

5.8(0.0K)
Grand-Daddy Day Care
Gabe
The Glow movie poster
MOVIE

The Glow

5.4(0.0K)
The Glow
Arnold Janusz
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? movie poster
MOVIE

When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?

5.8(0.0K)
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
Richard Ethridge
The Colony movie poster
MOVIE

The Colony

5.5(0.0K)
The Colony
Philip Denig
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There movie poster
MOVIE

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

7.0(0.0K)
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Self

Gallery

Hal Linden portrait