Hal Linden

Hal Linden (born Harold Lipshitz, March 20, 1931) is an American stage and screen actor, television director and musician.

Hal Linden was born on March 20, 1931, in The Bronx, New York City, New York, the youngest son of Frances (née Rosen) and Charles Lipshitz, a Lithuanian Jew who immigrated to the United States in 1910 and owned a printing shop.

Hal's older brother, Bernard, became a professor of music at Bowling Green State University.

Linden attended Herman Ridder Junior High School and the High School of Music and Art, going on to study music at Queens College, City University of New York.

He later enrolled in Baruch College and then City College of New York where he received a Bachelor of Arts in business.

During his youth, Linden wanted to be a big band singer and bandleader.

Before embarking on a career in music, he decided to change his name, stating, "'Swing and Sway with Harold Lipshitz' just didn't parse."

While riding on a bus from Philadelphia to New York through the town of Linden, New Jersey, he saw the name Linden on the water tower and changed his name to Hal Linden.

Linden began his career as a big band musician and singer in the 1950s.

After a stint in the United States Army, he began an acting career, first working in summer stock and off-Broadway productions.

Linden found success on Broadway when he replaced Sydney Chaplin in the musical Bells Are Ringing.

During the 1950s, he toured with Sammy Kaye, Bobby Sherwood, and other big bands of the era.

Linden played the saxophone and clarinet and also sang.

He enlisted in the United States Army in 1952 and was sent to Fort Belvoir and played in the United States Army Band.

While he was in Fort Belvoir, a friend recommended that he see the touring production of Guys and Dolls playing in Washington, D.C. After seeing the show, Linden decided to become an actor.

He was discharged from the Army in 1954.

Linden replaced Sydney Chaplin in the Broadway production of Bells Are Ringing in 1958.

Linden's career slowed in the 1960s.

In 1962, he starred as Billy Crocker in the off-Broadway revival of the Cole Porter musical Anything Goes.

He made a further breakthrough on the New York City stage in 1962 when he was cast as Billy Crocker in the revival of Cole Porter's Anything Goes.

During this time, he dubbed English dialogue for various foreign films, did voiceover work for commercials and sang jingles, and performed in industrial musicals such as Diesel Dazzle (1966).

His career was revived in the 1970s when he was cast as Mayer Rothschild in the 1971 musical The Rothschilds.

The role earned him a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

In 1971, he won a Best Actor Tony Award for his portrayal of Mayer Rothschild in the musical The Rothschilds.

In 1973, he co-starred opposite Tony Lo Bianco in the NBC television film ''Mr. Inside/Mr.

Outside''.

The film was intended to be the pilot for a proposed series but was not picked up by the network.

In 1974, Linden landed his best-known role as the title character in the television comedy series Barney Miller.

The role earned him seven Primetime Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations.

During the series' run, Linden also hosted two educational series, Animals, Animals, Animals and FYI.

He won two special Daytime Emmy Awards for the latter series.

In 1974, Linden landed the starring role in the ABC television police sitcom Barney Miller.

The series aired from 1975 to 1982.

Linden won a third Daytime Emmy Award for a guest-starring role on CBS Schoolbreak Special in 1995.

Linden has since continued his career on the stage, in films and guest-starring roles on television.

He released his first album of pop and jazz standards, It's Never Too Late, in 2011.

He portrayed the eponymous captain of the 12th Precinct in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City.

He earned seven Emmy Award nominations for his work on the series, one for each season.

Linden is tied with Matt LeBlanc and John Goodman for the most Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Emmy Award nominations without ever winning.

He also earned four Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.