Hal Linden
Known for Acting · 85 credits
- Born
- 1931-03-20 (age 95)
- Place of birth
- New York City, New York, USA
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.
Known For
TV Shows (45)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
as Leonard Maxwell
Supernatural
2005
as Rabbi Isaac Bass
Grey's Anatomy
2005
as Bertram Hollister
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
2001
as Mr. Turner
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self / Self - Co-Host
Saturday Night Live
1975
as Self (uncredited)
NOVA
1974
as Narrator
Gilmore Girls
2000
as Chad
The Nanny
1993
as Maury Sherry
The King of Queens
1998
as Bernard
The Drew Carey Show
1995
as Mr. Van zandt
Tony Awards
1956
as Self - Nominee / Self - Presenter / Performer / Self - Performer
2 Broke Girls
2011
as Lester
Hacks
2021
as Cliff Biff
American Experience
1988
as Narrator (voice)
Great Performances
1971
as Self
Will & Grace
1998
as Alan
Touched by an Angel
1994
as Dave Price / Sam Brown
Hot in Cleveland
2010
as Alex
The Mindy Project
2012
as Manny
American Housewife
2016
as Mr. Montez
The F.B.I.
1965
as Abel Norton
Barney Miller
1975
as Barney Miller
The Golden Girls
1985
as John
The Carol Burnett Show
1967
as Self
Dinah!
1974
as Self
People's Choice Awards
1975
as Self
The Tony Danza Show
2004
as Self
Ghost Story
1972
as David Wells
The Muppet Show
1976
as Self - Special Guest Star
The Ray Bradbury Theater
1985
as Captain Black
The Zeta Project
2001
Rude Awakening
1998
as Judge Howard Barrett
Nowhere Man
1995
as Senator Wallace
Battle of the Network Stars
1976
Donny & Marie
1976
as Self
Living with Fran
2005
Tony Orlando and Dawn
1974
as Self
Cher
1975
as Self
Jack's Place
1992
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1948
as Self
Blacke's Magic
1986
as Alexander Blacke
Van Dyke and Company
1975
as Self
Christmas in Washington
1982
as Self
The Boys Are Back
1994
as Fred Hansen
Movies (40)
You People
2023
as Mr. Greenwald
Time Changer
2003
as The Dean
Merv
2023
as Merv
Night of 100 Stars II
1985
as Self
Out to Sea
1997
as Mac Valor
Micro Budget
2026
as Russel
Night of 100 Stars
1982
as Self
That Man from Rio
1964
Bells Are Ringing
1960
as Singer (uncredited)
The Love Boat
1976
as Andrew Canaan
The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads
1999
as Ernie Landale
I Love Liberty
1982
as Self
Light Years Away
2006
as Grandpa Sommers
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
2003
as Self
Night of 100 Stars III
1990
as Self
Grand-Daddy Day Care
2019
as Gabe
Dream Breakers
1989
as Harry Palliser
Let's Go Mets
1986
as Self
Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside
1973
as Det. Lou Isaacs
The Stars Salute the U.S. Olympic Team
1984
as Self - Performer
Off Broadway
2021
as J.P. Fister
James Bond: The First 21 Years
1983
as Self
A New Life
1988
as Mel Arons
I Do! I Do!
1983
as He (Michael)
The Grand Knockout Tournament
1987
as Self
Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land
1983
as Josh Gilliam
All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra
1983
as Self
The Other Woman
1983
as Lou Chadway
Father Figure
1980
as Howard
My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn
1985
as Jack Warner
The Glow
2002
as Arnold Janusz
Killers in the House
1998
How to Break Up a Happy Divorce
1976
as Tony Bartlett
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
1979
as Richard Ethridge
The Samuel Project
2018
as Samuel
The Colony
1995
as Philip Denig
Jack Taylor of Beverly Hills
2007
as Self
Dumb Luck
2003
as Blaine Mitchell
Jump
1999
as Shrink
America and the Holocaust: Deceit and Indifference
1994
as Narrator (voice)
About Hal Linden
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 lat… With 85 credits spanning from 1948 to 2026, Hal Linden has appeared in 40 films and 45 TV shows.
Fans searching for Hal Linden movies, Hal Linden filmography, or the latest projects starring Hal Linden can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Hal Linden Movies
- You People (2023) — as Mr. Greenwald
- Time Changer (2003) — as The Dean
- Merv (2023) — as Merv
- Night of 100 Stars II (1985) — as Self
- Out to Sea (1997) — as Mac Valor
Where to Watch Hal Linden Films
Most Hal Linden movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Hal Linden, check our movies catalogue and browse page.