Hal Linden

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 rai…

Movies & TV Shows

1. Grey's Anatomy (2005) — Bertram Hollister
2. Supernatural (2005) — Rabbi Isaac Bass
3. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) — Leonard Maxwell
4. 2 Broke Girls (2011) — Lester
5. The Nanny (1993) — Maury Sherry
6. Gilmore Girls (2000) — Chad
7. You People (2023) — Mr. Greenwald
8. The King of Queens (1998) — Bernard
9. Will & Grace (1998) — Alan
10. Saturday Night Live (1975) — Self (uncredited)
11. The Golden Girls (1985) — John
12. Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) — Mr. Turner
13. Hacks (2021) — Cliff Biff
14. That Man from Rio (1964)
15. The Muppet Show (1976) — Self - Special Guest Star
16. The Mindy Project (2012) — Manny
17. Touched by an Angel (1994) — Dave Price
18. The Drew Carey Show (1995) — Mr. Van zandt
19. American Housewife (2016) — Mr. Montez
20. NOVA (1974) — Narrator
21. Hot in Cleveland (2010) — Alex
22. Out to Sea (1997) — Mac Valor
23. The Carol Burnett Show (1967) — Self
24. Barney Miller (1975) — Barney Miller
25. Bells Are Ringing (1960) — Singer (uncredited)
26. Time Changer (2003) — The Dean
27. American Experience (1988) — Narrator (voice)
28. Grand-Daddy Day Care (2019) — Gabe
29. Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land (1983) — Josh Gilliam
30. Nowhere Man (1995) — Senator Wallace
31. The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985) — Captain Black
32. The Zeta Project (2001)
33. The Glow (2002) — Arnold Janusz
34. The F.B.I. (1965) — Abel Norton
35. Great Performances (1971) — Self
36. A New Life (1988) — Mel Arons
37. Living with Fran (2005)
38. When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? (1979) — Richard Ethridge
39. The Mike Douglas Show (1961) — Self
40. Donny & Marie (1976) — Self

Directed

1. Barney Miller (1975) — Director