Today Live, Hal Linden! I’m literally pinching myself. Thank you Max Gail for enabling this to happen. I loved Barney Miller, and everyone in it, especially Hal and Max. Topping even that, on break from the hit show, my father, Larry Katz, a borscht belt Master of Ceremonies, shared a bill with Hal at the Yiddish Theatre in New York. My father not only introduced him but sang to open for him, as well. Hal was one of his heroes. To say my father was over the moon is a gross understatement. He was euphoric.
Hal’s career has spanned more than 65 years on stage, television, and in film. Best known for his portrayal of police precinct captain Barney Miller in the hit television series that aired from 1975-1982, which earned Hal Emmy nominations every year it was on as well as multiple Golden Globe nominations. Hal won two Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Individual Achievement for his host work on the children’s show, Animals, Animals, Animals.
Hal made his Broadway debut in 1957 in the musical Bells Are Ringing opposite Judy Holliday and subsequently toured with the national company. He later starred in the 1962 Off-Broadway revival of Cole Porter’s 1930s hit Anything Goes. To date, he’s performed in more than 20 Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. His numerous stage credits include On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Subways Are for Sleeping, The Apple Tree, The Pajama Game, The Sisters Rosenzweig, A Christmas Carol, Tuesdays With Morrie, I’m Not Rappaport, Something More, The Education of Hyman Kaplan, Three Men on a Horse, Chicago, Cabaret, The Gathering and The Rothschilds, for which he won the 1971 Tony Award for Best Actor In A Musical.
Hal’s TV appearances have included The Golden Girls, The Nanny, Touched by an Angel, Law & Order, Will & Grace, The King of Queens, Hot in Cleveland, 2 Broke Girls and Grey's Anatomy, and a recurring role on The Bold and The Beautiful, to name but a few.
Currently, Hal’s readying to co-star with Marilu Henner in Ed Weinberger’s, The Journals of Adam and Eve.
We’ve spoken on the phone. Twice. I’m giddy with excitement. This one’s for you, Larry Katz!
Hal Linden Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, April 3, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streaming Live on my Facebook
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Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons
