BIOGRAPHY

Celebrated actor Hal Linden – TV’s popular "Barney Miller" – is chairman of the Department of Veterans Affairs 2001 National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans.

As chairman, Army veteran Linden will lead VA’s annual patient recognition program, inviting the public to visit and honor hospitalized veterans across the country, particularly during the week of Feb. 11-17, and throughout the year. Linden also will serve as a national spokesperson for the 105,000 volunteers who serve veterans in VA facilities.

The multi-talented actor, singer and musician has moved effortlessly between stage, film, television and concert performances for over 40 years and earned two television Emmys and a Tony, Broadway’s highest honor.

A native New Yorker, Linden began his show business career as a clarinet player and then toured as a singer with several bands. As a member of the U.S. Army band, he became involved with Army revues, which piqued his acting career. After discharge from the Army, he studied at New York’s American Theater Wing and worked steadily at improving his acting for six years.

Linden’s first major break came in 1958 when he was named understudy to the lead role in the Broadway play "Bells Are Ringing." He became the lead within five days, starring opposite Judy Holliday on Broadway and in the national tour.

The play is one of 18 Broadway plays in which Linden has appeared, including "On A Clear Day," the revival of "Pajama Game," "Three Men On A Horse," and "The Rothchilds," for which he received his Tony and notices leading to his signature TV role as "Barney Miller."

Last fall, Linden was featured as a villain in the USA Network movie, "The Colony." Recent stage credits include "The Sisters Rosensweig" and "I’m Not Rappaport" on Broadway. He also starred in a number of TV series and specials, completed the 19-week "Hal Linden Tour" and performed with the Dallas Symphony, playing Mozart on clarinet. Linden maintains a heavy schedule of nightclub and concert dates in venues ranging from symphony orchestra halls to intimate cabarets.

He served as national chairman of the March of Dimes for several years, helping raise some $75 million as host of its national telethon. In 1988, the March of Dimes inaugurated the Hal Linden Celebrity Golf Tournament.