The Resume

(March 20, 1931- )
Birth name is Harold Lipshitz
Best known for the lead role in the ABC TV series 'Barney Miller' (1975-82)
Other TV series include 'Blacke's Magic (1986),' 'Jack's Place (1992)' and 'The Boys Are Back (1994)'
Also acted in the movies 'When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? (1979),' 'A New Life (1988),' 'Just Friends (1996),' 'The Others (1997),' 'Out to Sea (1997),' 'Jump (1999),' 'Dumb Luck (2001),' 'Time Changer (2002)' and 'Freezerburn (2005)'
Hosted the Emmy nominated TV musical variety event 'The Hal Linden Special (1979)'

Why he might be annoying:

He took his stage name from sighting a gas storage tank in Linden, New Jersey, with lettering, as he quoted, 'large enough for a big star.'
He provided English voice over work for the Japanese movies 'Godzilla Versus the Sea Monster (1966)' and 'Destroy All Monsters (1968).'
He's done TV commercials for (defunct) Pace deodorant, ITT Industries and Cignature RX.
He was nominated for an Emmy every year (7 times) for 'Barney Miller' without winning.
He was offered a lead role in the hit TV series 'St. Elsewhere' and turned it down (1982).

Why he might not be annoying:

He served in the U.S. Army where he entertained troops.
He's played clarinet for orchestras, including the New York American Symphony, and sax in jazz bands.
He's been married to the same woman since 1958.
He won a Tony for the musical 'The Rothchilds' (1971).
He is a national spokesman for the Jewish National Fund and chairman for the March Of Dimes.

Credit: Scar Tactics

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Actors Who Think They Can Sing
• Barney Miller
• Battle of the Network Stars [ABC]
• Bill Murray Impersonations
• Bravo's 100 Greatest TV Characters of All Time [2004] (Ranked: 58)
• Coolest Jews in Hollywood
• Ed Sullivan Show Guests
• Golden Girls and Guests
• I am a Bronxite
• I Appeared on Jerry Lewis' MDA Telethon [L]
• I Attended La Guardia High School
• I Boarded the Love Boat [L-Q]
• I Portrayed a Jewish Character
• I Portrayed Don Quixote
• I Portrayed Myself
• Jewish Comedians
• Look at Me, I Got a Microphone
• Look at Me, I'm Wet
• Look at Me, I'm Wrapped in a Towel
• Muppet Show Guests
• Musical Theater Star
• Musicians Who Act
• Mustaches
• Night of 100 Stars [March 8, 1982]
• Profiles 16501-16750 (Ranked: 16722)
• Scar Tactics' Profiles [Series 03]
• Stars that Began on Daytime Soaps
• The Nanny - Guest Stars
• Tony Award: Best Actor in a Musical (Ranked: 1971)
• Touched by an Angel and Guest Stars
• Will and Grace
• Will and Grace - Guest Stars

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 7 Votes: 14.29% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 80 Votes: 41.25% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 59 Votes: 45.76% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 21 Votes: 38.10% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 22 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 23 Votes: 52.17% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 15 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 18 Votes: 38.89% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 67 Votes: 53.73% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 32 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 47 Votes: 36.17% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 136 Votes: 44.12% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 198 Votes: 46.46% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 433 Votes: 41.80% Annoying