Hal Linden (born Harold Lipshitz on March 20, 1931 in New York City) is an American actor and television director. Linden graduated from Manhattan's School of Performing Arts. Best known for his Emmy-nominated title role on the Barney Miller television series and for hosting the ABC educational series Animals, Animals, Animals, Linden won his Emmys for a series of daytime informational spots called F.Y.I.
Linden began his career as a clarinet player and leader of dance bands. He and his violinist brother Bernie chose their stage names after spotting a gas storage tank with the word "Linden" (as in Linden, New Jersey) written on it in huge letters.
He is currently the national spokesperson for the Jewish National Fund. He is married to Frances Martin, and they have four children.
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, 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 Sydney Chaplin. During the 60s, 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 which culminated in the title role on the popular "Barney Miller" (1975) 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 New Life, A (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.
