Rarely-Seen Barney from 'Barney Miller' Stuns at 92, Year after Hip Replacement He Has 'Great Ki

Publish date: 2024-05-09

Hal Linden played the titular role on the 1970s show "Barney Miller" and had a successful career. He is still working, but less than he did when he was a stage and screen actor and a musician in the 1980s.

While Linden is a family man and was the sole provider for his large family, he has suffered tragic losses and even a tumultuous marriage with his wife of over five decades.

Hal Linden on "Barney Miller" Season Two in 1975. | Source: Getty Images

Hal Linden and his wife Frances Martin at the Las Hadas Celebrity Sports Invitational on May 11, 1990. | Source: Getty Images

At 92, Linden shares what it was like to be on "Barney Miller" and what his life looks like now. He also opened up about what life was like for him when he left the show, and to raise a family and juggle a Hollywood career.

The actor was on the show for ten years, and during that time, he welcomed four children with his wife. Linden admitted that his marriage was not a fairytale, and instead, it was "stormy," but he felt that every obstacle he and his wife overcame became something they could build on.

Frances Martin, Hal Linden, and their son, Ian Linden at the "Raoni" premiere on March 28, 1979. | Source: Getty Images

Hal Linden and Frances Martin at the Mauna Lani Celebrity Sports Invitational Dinner Gala in 1991. | Source: Getty Images

Even after becoming an actor, Linden didn't think he would become a star. He assumed he would have a few good roles, but nothing as impactful as "Barney Miller."

What Life Does Linden Have Now, and How Does He Look?

On June 3, 2023, a fan named Pam Sanders took to Facebook to share a photograph of Ruta Lee, 88, and 92-year-old Linden. The pair beamed at the camera dressed in formal attire.

Frances Martin and Hal Linden at the Carol Baldwin Celebrity Golf Tournament dinner party on August 9, 1998. | Source: Getty Images

Lee wore an all-black outfit with a feathered black hat and matching shawl. She wore a statement necklace and earrings with a beautiful ring to match.

Linden looked just as dashing wearing black sneakers and slacks, which he paired with a black button-up shirt and black and gold striped tie. He finished the look with a beige jacket. Linden did not shave for the occasion, opting instead for a more rugged look.

In 2007, Linden said he was "still kicking" at 80. At the time, he was still doing concerts but admitted the audiences were generally older people. Linden shared that keeping busy was helping him get through his grief at losing his wife of 52 years.

Hal Linden, Frances Martin and family at the 'Out to Sea' premiere on June 29, 1997. | Source: Getty Images

Last year, many assumed that he would have stopped working, yet he remained active, and when asked why that was, he shared:

"Well, first of all, I fell in love with the process of acting. […] What I really like most is the rehearsal because that's where the process kicks in. The creation of the character, the creation of everything."

An interviewer asked Linden what he had at 91 that he didn't have when he was younger, and he revealed that he now had "great kids." He shared that he had a hip replacement, and his children had supported him through it all.

Hal Linden at the 29th Annual Palm Springs International ShortFest. | Source: Getty Images

When asked if he planned to retire, Linden asked what retirement was. He joked that when he was asked if he ever took a vacation, he said he took his breaks from 1959 to 1967 when he was unemployed.

Linden sees no reason for him to retire. As long as he is able to work and his brain still works well enough for him to be active in the industry, he says he would continue to act.

The actor revealed that he loves working and staying active even through the tragedies and adversities he has faced during his life. While he is now 92, has no plans on slowing down just because of his age.

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