Hal Linden

Date of Birth: March 20, 1931

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Biography

Hal Linden, born Harold Lipshitz, is an American actor, television director, and musician best known for his role as the titular character on the television series “Barney Miller” (1975-1982). Linden was born in The Bronx, New York City, and initially pursued a career in music, playing the clarinet and saxophone in various big bands. He later transitioned to acting, making his Broadway debut in 1958 in the musical “Bells Are Ringing.” Linden’s big break came with “Barney Miller,” for which he won two Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award for his portrayal of the pragmatic and compassionate police captain. In addition to his television career, Linden has appeared in numerous stage productions, including “The Rothschilds,” for which he won a Tony Award, and “I’m Not Rappaport.” He has also taken on roles in films such as “When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder?” (1979) and “Out to Sea” (1997). Linden continues to act and perform, maintaining a presence in both television and theater. His dedication to the arts and his versatile talent have made him a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

5 Interesting Facts about Hal Linden

1. Hal Linden served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954, where he played in the Army Band.

2. He originally aspired to be a big band musician before transitioning to acting.

3. Linden changed his last name from Lipshitz to Linden after seeing the name on a water tower in Linden, New Jersey.

4. He was the voice of the narrator in the 1980s animated series “Free to Be… You and Me.”

5. Hal Linden has been married to his wife, Frances Martin, since 1958 until her passing in 2010.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hal Linden

1. “The success of ‘Barney Miller’ was compounded by the fact that it was a show that people liked. It was a show that people were proud to say they watched.”

2. “I’ve always said that playing the clarinet and acting are very similar. In both cases, you have to know the notes, and you have to know how to perform.”

3. “Television is a medium of writers, and the writers were given the freedom to write how they felt.”

4. “Theater is like a hammer. It goes right into the heart and the brain. There’s an immediacy about it.”

5. “You take what you get and you make the best of it, and you work your tail off.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Hal Linden achieved a highest net worth of approximately $2 million.

Children

Hal Linden and his wife Frances Martin had four children together: three daughters—Nora Kathryn, Amelia Christine, and Jennifer Dru—and a son, Ian Martin.