Hal Linden: Biography
Hal Linden, born Harold Lipshitz on March 20th in 1931 is most famous for his role as Barney Miller on the show of the same name.
Being musical, he played classical clarinet in symphony orchestras. After graduating high school, he studied music at Queens College New York. He played in dance bands and was drafted and entertained the troops in Korea.
His taste of being an entertainer inspired him to pursue acting, enrolling at New York's American Theatre.
Mr. Linden has been happily married to Frances Martin since 1958, they have 4 children.
For his role of Barney Miller, Mr. Linden was nominated every year of it's run, but he never won.
- Both he and his wife Francis are avid golfers, and often golf together.(edit)
- He won 3 Emmy's as host of a series of daytime educational "PDA's" (Public Service Announcements) called "FYI" that ran on ABC in the 80's. They were geared towards health and general health issues and information.(edit)
- Judy Holliday, Hollywood star and co-star of "Bells Are Ringing", his first Broadway show attended his wedding to Francis.(edit)
- He was offered the part of Donald Westphall on "St. Elsewhere" but turned it down. The role later went to Ed Flanders.(edit)
- He has three daughters: Amelia, Jennifer and Nora and a son named Ian.(edit)
- Mr. Linden has worn a hearing aid since 2002. He actually wears different kinds depending upon his needs. Some to help him hear the orchestra while singing on stage, while others help him hear conversations at parties or actor's on stage. (edit)
- He won the 1995 Daytime Emmy for an Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special, in the CBS School break Special episode titled "The Writing on the Wall."(edit)
- In his role as Captain Barney Miller, Hal Linden was nominated for an Emmy (Outstanding Lead in a Comedy Series) 7 straight years, 1976-1982, but did not win. (edit)
- Hal Linden is the National Spokesperson for the Jewish National Fund.(edit)
- Hal Linden has starred in numerous Broadway shows, both plays and musicals, including "Bells Are Ringing," "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever," "Subways Are for Sleeping," "I Do! I Do!," "The Apple Tree," and "The Pajama Game."(edit)
- Hal Linden chose his stage name after seeing it on a large storage tank in Linden, New Jersey, on his way to an acting job. (edit)
- Hal Linden won Broadway’s Tony award for Best Actor in 1971 for his role in "The Rothschilds."(edit)
- Hal Linden: I hadn't really noticed that I had a hearing problem. I just thought most people had given up on speaking clearly.(edit)
- Hal Linden: (reminiscing on Judy Holliday upon her death) "I'm very saddened right now, sitting here remembering her because...it's personal. If it wasn't for Judy I probably wouldn't be an actor today. I'd still be playing weddings in Brooklyn." (edit)
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