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.
Known for
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Leonard Maxwell
Grey's Anatomy
Bertram Hollister
Supernatural
Rabbi Isaac Bass
NOVA
Narrator
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Mr. Turner
The King of Queens
Bernard
Gilmore Girls
Chad
The Drew Carey Show
Mr. Van zandt
Will & Grace
Alan
The Nanny
Maury Sherry
Hot in Cleveland
Alex
2 Broke Girls
Lester
The F.B.I.
Abel Norton
Touched by an Angel
Dave Price
Touched by an Angel
Sam Brown
American Experience
Narrator (voice)
Great Performances
Self
Barney Miller
Barney Miller
The Mindy Project
Manny
The Carol Burnett Show
Self
Tony Awards
Self - Presenter
Tony Awards
Self - Presenter/Performer
Tony Awards
Self - Performer
Tony Awards
Self - Presenter / Performer
Tony Awards
Self - Nominee
Hacks
Cliff Biff
The Golden Girls
John
The Muppet Show
Self - Special Guest Star
American Housewife
Mr. Montez
The Ray Bradbury Theater
Captain Black
Cher
Self
Tony Orlando and Dawn
Self
The Zeta Project
Ghost Story
David Wells
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Self
Christmas in Washington
Self
Jack's Place
Night of 100 Stars II
Self
Night of 100 Stars
Self
Living with Fran
Van Dyke and Company
Self
Night of 100 Stars III
Self
The Boys Are Back
Fred Hansen
Nowhere Man
Senator Wallace
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Self
Out to Sea
Mac Valor
Time Changer
The Dean
A New Life
Mel Arons
Battle of the Network Stars
I Love Liberty
Self
Grand-Daddy Day Care
Gabe
The Grand Knockout Tournament
Self
Blacke's Magic
Alexander Blacke
Bells Are Ringing
Singer (uncredited)
The Colony
Philip Denig
My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn
Jack Warner
That Man from Rio
The Other Woman
Lou Chadway
How to Break Up a Happy Divorce
Tony Bartlett
All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra
Self
Jump
Shrink
Micro Budget
Russel
The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads
Ernie Landale
Dumb Luck
Blaine Mitchell
You People
Mr. Greenwald
The Love Boat
Andrew Canaan
Father Figure
Howard
The Glow
Arnold Janusz
Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside
Det. Lou Isaacs
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
Richard Ethridge
Dream Breakers
Harry Palliser
Killers in the House
The Samuel Project
Samuel
Off Broadway
J.P. Fister
Light Years Away
Grandpa Sommers
I Do! I Do!
He (Michael)
Jack Taylor of Beverly Hills
Self
Merv
Merv
America and the Holocaust: Deceit and Indifference
Narrator (voice)
Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land
Josh Gilliam
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
The Mike Douglas Show
Self - Co-Host
Saturday Night Live
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
The Tony Danza Show
Self
Donny & Marie
Self