Image of Hal Linden

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.


Read bio at tmdb | Read bio at Wikipedia
Born:
Mar 20, 1931 In New York City - New York - USA
Movie/TV Credits:
37
First Appeared:
In the movie Bells Are Ringing 1960-06-23
Latest Project:
Series Living with Fran 2005-04-08
Known For
Poster of Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Poster of The King of Queens
Poster of Blacke's Magic
Poster of Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside
Filmography
Series Living with Fran Unknown 2005-04-08
Movie Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There Self 2003-04-03
Movie Time Changer The Dean 2003-10-25
Movie Dumb Luck Blaine Mitchell 2003-06-04
Movie The Glow Arnold Janusz 2002-08-02
Series Law & Order: Criminal Intent Unknown 2001-09-30
Series The Zeta Project Unknown 2001-01-27
Series Gilmore Girls Unknown 2000-10-05
Movie Jump Shrink 1999-04-17
Movie The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads Ernie Landale 1999-04-20
Movie Killers in the House 1998-11-11
Series The King of Queens Unknown 1998-09-21
Movie Out to Sea Mac Valor 1997-07-02
Movie The Colony Philip Denig 1995-09-13
Series Touched by an Angel Unknown 1994-09-21
Series The Boys Are Back Fred Hansen 1994-09-11
Series The Nanny Unknown 1993-11-03
Movie Night of 100 Stars III Self 1990-05-21
Movie Dream Breakers Harry Palliser 1989-09-02
Movie A New Life Mel Arons 1988-03-25
Movie The Grand Knockout Tournament Self 1987-06-19
Series Blacke's Magic Alexander Blacke 1986-01-05
Movie My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn Jack Warner 1985-01-21
Movie Night of 100 Stars II Self 1985-03-10
Movie Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land Josh Gilliam 1983-02-27
Movie All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra Self 1983-12-11
Movie Night of 100 Stars Self 1982-03-08
Series Christmas in Washington Unknown 1982-12-15
Movie Father Figure Howard 1980-10-26
Movie When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? Richard Ethridge 1979-02-09
Series Battle of the Network Stars Unknown 1976-11-13
Series Barney Miller Barney Miller 1975-01-23
Series Saturday Night Live Unknown 1975-10-11
Movie Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside Det. Lou Isaacs 1973-03-14
Series Ghost Story Unknown 1972-09-15
Movie That Man from Rio 1964-02-05
Movie Bells Are Ringing Singer 1960-06-23
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