Hal Linden is an American actor, singer, director and musician best known for his role as the title character in the television sitcom Barney Miller. He played the role of Captain Barney Miller from 1975 to 1982. Hal Linden's full name is Harold Lipshitz and he was born in 1931. He has won several awards for his work, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1981.