Born in 1931, Hal Linden, the son of Charles Lipshitz and Frances Rosen, grew up in the Bronx alongside his older brother, who would later become a professor of music at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. With a strong musical inclination, Hal began playing classical clarinet in his late teens and regularly performed with symphony orchestras.
After graduating from the High School of Music and Art in Manhattan, Hal pursued music at Queens College before transferring to City College to study business. He also played in dance bands and was asked to join Sammy Kaye on tour before being drafted into the Army, where he entertained the troops through singing and performance. This experience sparked his interest in acting, and upon receiving his discharge, he enrolled in the American Theatre Wing in New York, training in voice and drama.
In 1955, Hal met Frances Martin, a dancer, and they married three years later, with Frances giving up her career to raise a family. Hal's first Broadway show was "Bells Are Ringing," where he understudied the lead role of Jeff Moss.
Throughout 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," which led to a successful TV career, including the title role in the popular sitcom "Barney Miller" (1974).
Emmy-nominated every year the show aired, Hal became a household name, and he continued to appear in various TV series, including "Blacke's Magic" (1986) and "Jack's Place" (1992). He also held secondary roles in films such as "A New Life" (1988) and "Out to Sea" (1997).
In addition to his TV and film work, Hal continued to take on musical leads, such as "I Do! I Do!" and "The Pajama Game," as well as dramatic pursuits in "I'm Not Rappaport" and "The Sisters Rosenzweig." He has also undertaken musical tours, continuing his role as a clarinetist. When not performing, Hal and his wife, Frances, enjoy playing golf together.
