#GameChangersWithVickiAbelson

[vickiabelson]

Today Live! Be still my heart. So what if it's costing me my firstborn. Sorry, Harry, I've sold you to servitude. Steve Lukather, 5-time Grammy winner, and sole continuous founding member of Toto, with nine solo albums, has played on over 1500 other records, for everyone from Aretha to Zevon, including Thriller... started playing after hearing Meet The Beatles, and has spent the past decade onstage with one. One of the greatest guitar players, singers, songwriters, arrangers, and producers to grace the biz, has made music with pretty much all of his heroes and has become one to millions of others... this is gonna be epic. 

Steve Lukather Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, November 15, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET 

Streaming Live on my Facebook

Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons

[vickiabelson]

 Anthony Fedorov Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

I’m still smiling and I’m not sure I’m gonna stop any time soon. What a blast I had with American Idol finalist Anthony Fedorov. It’s been a minute since last we met and Anthony is even more spectacular than I remembered.

He opened the show with That Someone, his new song from his new musical, Proud Marys. I loved it! Can’t wait till Sunday when he does it in person at his long-awaited return engagement at the Catalina Bar & Grill. In LA? Please join me! https://bit.ly/3LkJTusHey 

We talked Anthony’s early childhood in Russia, his scary, years-long medical situation, hoping to talk, let alone sing… and for a living… to worldwide acclaim… crazy!  The trauma of getting out of the country and then getting to the USA sans English. The obstacles Anthony has overcome in his young life are astounding, his accomplishments are as well.

We talked the American Idol journey, Simon’s advice that changed his life and career, meeting his Idol, Marc Anthony, barely noticing J.Lo, Ellen, or Mariah Carey. Great story! And, the aftermath which led him to the theatre, something he’d never considered, but where he spent the next many years and thrived from off-Broadway in The Fantastics to most recently in Love Actually Live at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. How the hell did I miss that? 

We talked about the three, count ‘em three musicals Anthony has in various stages of development. Artist, activist, singer/songwriter, dad, and lovely human, everything Anthony does is with intention to impact positive change in the world.

Anthony closed with his first monster hit song, I Poop, inspired by fatherhood and a diaper changing. Another great story! It’s garnered over 22 million streams to date. Not counting the 20+ I’ve added in the last hour. Tell Alexa to play it for fun and… well, it’s paying the rent! 

Anthony has the voice of an angel and writes killer pop/rock songs with lyrics that are socially and politically important. He’s a beautiful man to behold, hear, and hold dear. And damn, he’s sweet and fun! Hope to share the Fedorov experience with y’all on Sunday at the Catalina Bar & Grill. 

Anthony Fedorov Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, Sept 13th, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET 

Streamed Live on my Facebook

Replay here:

[vickiabelson]

Today Live! Can’t wait to sit down with old pal, Steve Conte, who's got one of the greatest rock voices I’ve ever heard (he was Paul Simon's vocal stand-in for years). Steve’s played with just about everyone throughout his career, has a classic Chuck Berry story, for one, and countless other great rock tales. 

Steve’s first road gig was touring with Blood Sweat & Tears in the mid-80s, right around the time I began booking him at The Rock ’N Roll Cafe on Bleecker Street in New York. From there, Steve played with J. Geils Band frontman Peter Wolf, the before-mentioned Chuck Berry, toured with Billy Squier, Willy Deville, Eric Burdon, was a member of reformed New York Dolls and has shared the stage with an innumerable number of his heroes from Sam Moore to Springsteen. Steve’s been writing for, recording, and touring with former Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe for the past 10ish years, supporting Guns & Roses, The Foo Fighters, and Motorhead.

Steve's solo debut, The Steve Conte NYC Album, included a tune, OK DJ, which earned him the #2 Coolest Song of the Year, behind Bruce Springsteen, on Little Steven's Underground Garage... members of the Foo Fighters, Alice Cooper, Mott The Hoople, The Wallflowers, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, to name a few, joined Steve on the album. 

Steve’s "covers" album, International Cover-Up, enjoys much airplay on Little Steven's Underground Garage. The opening track, "Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight" was voted #5 Coolest Song Of The Year, behind The Monkees and Ian Hunter, and his Gimme Gimme Rockaway was another Coolest Song of The Week and signaled the solo recognition he’s long deserved. 

Steve’s new single, Fourth Of July, co-written with Andy Partridge of XTC, serves as a preview to his upcoming LP, due in 2024, as a follow-up to his acclaimed solo album, Bronx Cheer, released on Little Steven’s label, Wicked Cool Records in 2021, which featured the single, Recovery Doll, which also enjoyed a week as the Coolest Song In The World, on The Underground Garage. 

Check out the latest coolness of Conte

Fourth of July

Steve played regularly at every club I booked, was part of my weekly house jam band, and has done pretty much every project since. So look forward to sitting down with this guy, one of my all-time favorite rockers, catching up, and hearing that voice! And, that guitar!

Steve Conte Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, Sept 6th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET

Streaming Live on my Facebook

Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons

[vickiabelson]

Today Live! Steve Ferrone, most prominently known as the drummer in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, is also a former member of the Average White Band and has recorded and performed with Duran Duran, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, Slash, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Bee Gees, Scritti Politti, and Johnny Cash. Steve’s also appeared on recordings by Brian May, Anita Baker, George Benson, Jonathan Butler, Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton, Christine McVie, Peter Frampton, Jeff Golub, Rick James, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Freddie King, Tracy Chapman, Pat Metheny, Steve Winwood, Michael W. Smith, Paul Simon, and Jaco Pastorius, will be in the house! His house, but Zoomin' with us.

Already a legend when I was booking rock clubs in New York back in the days, I was in a daze and don’t think we ever spoke, but I was always aware whenever he was around by the admiring ruckus surrounding him.

There were a number of near misses through the years, finally meeting him at one of Steve Postell's gigs some years ago, and then at Will Lee’s a few years later. I pounced, as is my wont. We had a great time on here in 2019- and broken Thanksgiving bread of late, and 

so look forward to sitting down again with this man who has sat behind innumerable rock heroes, and, is one hisself. 

Stephen Ferrone Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, 12/28/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET

Streaming Live on my Facebook

Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons

[vickiabelson]

We talked and walked through Kevin’s childhood, early days of steel drums, french horn, to guitar… architecture, bands, playing parties, selling flowers, Papa John Creach, sessions, his first deal and album as Kevin Moore at 41, to two years later being nominated for a Grammy as Keb’ Mo’… four more Grammy victories, currently awaiting his night at The Staples Center… do I hear six?

We talked about his songwriting––lots of honesty, humility, self-knowing… where his philanthropy and activism began, a ready-to-go draft dodger, his one ask -  to meet Taj Mahal, and boy, did he meet him. Working with Darius Rucker and his awe for Hootie & The Blowfish, telling their truth. Kevin sharing that he likes to be uncomfortable with his lyrics-brilliance that is his. We talked his spiritual path, and if he prays- “everything out of my mouth is a prayer.” Wow. He gracefully credits Depak. 

I smiled so big and so much for so long… for the entire 1:35:29 broadcast, my face hurts. In the good way. The very best way. I loved this. I love Keb’ Mo’. I reckon I’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t. 

Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, 12/28/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET

Streamed Live on my Facebook

Replay here:

[vickiabelson]

Today Live with 5x Grammy Winner, Current Grammy Nominee with Good To Be, 14 Blues Foundation Award Winning, Keb' Mo'. Life is Beautiful! One of my favorite songs of all time, with special meaning presently. And boy are we getting a special treat this eve! Be still my heart.

Keb’ began performing with Papa John Creach, and has collaborated with Taj Mahal, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, James Taylor, Vince Gill, and Darius Rucker, to name but some. BB King & Zak Brown have recorded his music, he’s composed for TV, appeared on screens big and small as himself and as Robert Johnson. 

I adore everything Keb, and so look forward to diggin’ in and getting to know this brilliantly talented artist, philanthropist, and soulful family man.

Keb’ Mo’ Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, 12/28/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET

Streaming Live on my Facebook

Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons

[vickiabelson]

Paging Steven Speilberg... where are you? Actor Gregory Harrison's real-life story as the first moral conscientious objector needs to be told. And boy did he tell us here. I'm left in awe, mortified, inspired, and grateful, to name but a few adjectives I'm feeling. 

A gifted storyteller as well as thespian, singer, songwriter, and producer, I've known Gregory for years, we've sat down a number of times, but he's always more provocative, informative, fascinating, and passionate than the time before.  

Trapper John MD, Falcon Crest, Razorback, Logan's Run, Sisters, One Tree Hill, Gregory starred with moi in The M Word, well he was starring, I was mostly standing. Starting out as the leading man of a feature film, Gregory backed his way into starring on television, on Broadway, and back again.  Of late, Gregory starred in The Lion in Winter at The Laguna Playhouse, great story how that came to be, is two years in on  General Hospital, his first soap, I have no idea how he does it, yet Gregory managed to demystify it, he's recurring on Chesapeake Shores, just shot a couple more episodes of 9-1-1, and the independent feature, Jimmy & Carolyn, which Gregory feels is his best work yet.  That's saying a lot. He starred in The Family Man and is a  family man himself, married 41 years, to the same woman, the proud and loving father of 4, and grandpa to three. A Vietnam vet, an outspoken activist, and a spiritual soul, whose personal standards for his own humanity are seemingly beyond mortal, Gregory’s beyond lovely and crazy easy on the eyes. This, like him, is all wins. Can't wait for more. 

Gregory Harrison on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson 

Wednesday, 11/30/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET

Streamed Live on my Facebook

Replay here:

[vickiabelson]

Today, Live @5! Could Maggie Wheeler as Janice on Friends be any funnier… her Linda, on Everybody Loves Raymond… or as co-star, Anita on Ellen… star turns on Seinfeld, Will & Grace, ER, How I Met Your Mother, Californication, Shameless, Ilene LOL Solotaroff on Curb Your Enthusiasm (a family favorite), The Parent Trap… so many others, I’m getting typing cramp thinking about them. There’s so much to this dynamo of talent, whom I’ve mainly known as another mother, always doing her best for her family. 

I adore this woman onscreen and off and can't wait to spend some more time in her good company. Woohoo! 

Maggie Wheeler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, 10/18/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET

Streaming Live on my Facebook

Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons

[vickiabelson]

TODAY LIVE! SPECIAL PERSON - SPECIAL TIME ** 6 PM PT**

Leland Sklar, one of my favorite people on the planet, and no doubt many of yours, too, has played with everybody on everything: Phil Collins, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Billy Cobham, Carole King, Hall & Oates, Crosby Stills, & Nash... on and on and on... to the very present, with his compatriots in The Immediate Family: Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, and Steve Postel. They’ve got a new album, live shows, and Denny Tedesco's brilliant doc.

There’s been loads of TV, sessions, and touring, the man never stops, not even in COVID- he amped it up! His YouTube channel is HUGE. An active activist, he's stood up, compromising his own civil rights all over the place. 

We’ll be talking about it all. The man gives great story and has the sweetest heart. Everybody Loves Lee! We'll talk about the book, in which I'm honored to be included, too. Win, win, win!

Did I mention I adore the man? 

Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

Wed, January 18, 6 pm PT, 9 pm ET

Streaming Live on The Facebook

Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons

[vickiabelson]

If you look up “fun,” it’ll take you right to this thing right here. Exceeding my high expectations, Tim Matheson is even more gorgeous, charming, intelligent, animated, accessible, and fabulous than I could’ve imagined. Don’t think I’ve ever had more fun at 11 in the morning. 

Squeezing us in on a busy day of meetings, and a table read for Netflix’s #1 smash, Virgin River, which Tim both stars in, and oft directs, he was relaxed, gave us his full attention, energy, passion, and focus, and, what a treat it was after all these years of adoring him. 

We jumped into Animal House, how it went down, how he got it, what almost was, Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Peter Reigert, Karen Allen, Mark Metcalf, who, thanks to his extreme kindness, introduced me to Tim, making today possible.

We circled back through this Burbank boys’ start, My Three Sons, Leave it to Beaver, voicing Jonny Quest, the Western years, Bonanza, The Virginian, co-starring with Kurt Russell in The Quest, opposite Henry Fonda, and Lucille Ball in Yours, Mine and Ours, studying at every turn, including a year of Improv, leading to the big stretch, comedy and portraying the good bad boy, working with Landis and then Speilberg and again Belushi in 1941. All the while absorbing and honing his craft, whilst learning from the masters. 

We talked The West Wing, composer Snuffy Walden, our 2 degrees, Aaron Sorkin, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, Martin Sheen, Tommy Schlamme, the brilliance, professionalism, and frenetic pace. 

With our time swiftly waning we touched on This Is Us and landed on VIrgin River, currently readying to roll on Season 5, as I and many binge the just dropped Season 4. 

I could’ve talked with Tim all day and still have longed for more. What a great spirit! Such joie de vivre, not to mention ridiculously easy on the eyes, ears, and I suspect, all five senses. 

Put it all together- it was FUN! Two thumbs way up. 

Tim Matheson Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

*** Wednesday, 8/3/22, 11 am PT, 2 pm ET***

Streamed Live on my Facebook

Replay here: https://bit.ly/3JsAJK5

[vickiabelson]

BAM! Whacked! Gobsmacked! I knew I loved Johnny Sack, the wife-devoted, chain-smoking, cold-blooded killer, I was unprepared to fall in love with Vincent Curatola. It was one thing that on a recent Sopranos re-binge this 38 yr non-smoking woman was jonesing for a cigarette watching Johnny Sack make love to his, it was another witnessing Vince adoring Maureen, his wife of 40 yrs, just as Johnny Sack did Ginny. Lovely! 

Such great fun to do a Soprano’s deep dive, from early casting, (Tony Sirico), to Vince’s audition, James Gandolfini, Vincent Pastore, Michael Imperioli, to David Chase’s on-set style, how characters knew they were getting whacked, onscreen relationships vs off, actual wise guys impressions, Vince’s thoughts on whether Silvio really whacked Adriana, Vince’s shocking role model for Johnny Sack, how the cast, who watched the ending for the first time when we all did, react? 

There are great stories about Jack Nicholson, Kirk Douglas, Maureen O’Hara, and Brad Pitt. This was a spectacular conversation with a fascinating man, an amazing actor, who shared his thoughts on how to succeed in the business of life and show. An international acting coach via Zoom, a naturalist, whose less is so much more, shared some exercises in getting real, which I plan to utilize. You can sign up on his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/VincentCuratolaActingWorkshop

I’ve long adored Johnny Sack, I now add Vincent Curatola to my adoration. This is one not to be missed.

Vincent Curatola on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, 6/1/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET

Streamed Live on my Facebook

Replay here:

[vickiabelson]

Today, Live! Thaao Penghlis! 🔥🔥

When I met Thaao, he took my breath away. He’s continued to with every meeting since. Thrice Emmy nominated (including last year for Outstanding Leading Actor) for Days of Our Lives, I remembered him well from my soap-addicted daze. I had no way to know that aside from being ridiculously easy on the eyes, with a velvet voice, with that accent! He’s also deep, wise, knowledgeable, spiritual, passionate, talented in oh so many ways, and fun. A delicious human. 

Thaao's first cinematic starring role was in John Avildson’s, Slow Dancing in the Big City, followed by Ken Russell's, Altered States, with William Hurt, and as Dame Edna’s love interest in Les Patterson Saves the World. He also played the lead, Nicholas Black, in the television series, Mission: Impossible, and starred in several mini-series, including, Tribe, Memories of Midnight, and Under Siege.

Thaao took the part of Victor Cassadine on General Hospital, where he gathered such a strong following that ABC received thousands of letters asking that they bring him back after his storyline came to an end. Before ABC was able to do that, NBC offered him the part of Count Anthony DiMera on “Days Of Our Lives” keeping him on the popularity charts for another decade and then some.  

We'll be talking about it all. Including his passions for travel and cooking and his books, Places: The Journey of My Days, My Lives, and, Seducing Celebrities One Meal at a Time. 

Thaao is always super smart, sexy fun! Can't wait! 

Thaao Penghlis Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, 10/5/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET

Streaming Live on my Facebook

Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons

[vickiabelson]

Lydia Cornell Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

I’m filled to the brim with love, compassion, and inspiration. I so enjoyed every moment in Lydia Cornell’s most excellent company. A strong, talented, generous, capable woman, who knows who she is, where she’s been, and where she wants to be, allowing for godshots that may alter her future at any turn, AFI Best Actress nominee and People’s Choice Award winner Lydia, best known for her starring role in Too Close for Comfort, is all that and a standup comedienne, writer, director, public speaker, and activist. 

We went back to Lydia’s early days in El Paso Texas, her Russian father, and challenging mother… the haircut, the Barbies, the boys, oh my! Moving to Scarsdale, starring in High School plays, college in Boulder., Colorado, and Hollywood by way of the music biz, Caribou Ranch…. some great stories there… Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Dennis Wilson, Henry Diltz, dating Paul Stanley and Donnie Most, and how her naive approach to breaking into the biz, worked! On her third audition, she landed a starring role on a hit TV show and garnered the fame she sought. Loads of TV shows and films followed, including co-starring with James Earl Jones right after shooting that first pilot.  

We talked about drinking, drugging, dieting, and the trouble they brought… getting sober, surrender, releasing resentments, recovery, and the innumerable gifts they continue to bring. 

Lydia’s won acting, directing, and writing awards, as well as the Southern California Motion Picture Council's Golden Halo Lifetime Achievement Award, and the first Elizabeth Montgomery Humanitarian Award. It’s the service she does every day as a woman in recovery that perhaps makes the greatest impact. 

A screenplay Lydia wrote 20 years ago is finding its place now, and the book she started years ago is also readying to bloom. Lydia’s loving her life, writing, and loving with Larry––acting and looking perfect seeming less and less important. I’m loving this Lydia more than ever if that’s even possible. 

Lydia Cornell Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, April 17, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET 

Streamed Live on my Facebook

Replay here:

[vickiabelson]

Today, Live! Oh Lydia, oh Lydia, my encyclopedia… sorry. It’s always my first thought when I think of the beautiful Lydia Cornell. I’m old! She’s gorgeous! Facebook friends first thanks to our mutual beloved gone-too-soon friend Hubert O’Hearn, who insisted we connect, as writers, and sober women, instigated our initial friendship. We finally came face to face on election night '16. To say we're forever bound by our mutual shocked horror... well... yeah. Please, oh please may we not relieve it. 

AFI Best Actress nominee and People’s Choice Award winner Lydia is best known for her starring role in Too Close for Comfort. Other credits include Curb Your Enthusiasm, Power of Comedy, The Kelsey Grammer Comedy Hour, and The Red Tide with James Earl Jones. Starring in over 250 TV shows and films in 27 countries, with 20-34 million viewers each Tuesday night after Three’s Company on ABC prime time, Lydia's also a standup comedienne, author, and activist.

Deeply spiritual, beautiful inside and out, we'll be catching up, and mining her tools for internals and externals.

Lydia Cornell Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, April 17, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET 

Streaming Live on my Facebook

Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons

[vickiabelson]

***SPECIAL TIME TODAY, April 10, 1 PM PT, 4 PM ET***

In February, Facebook friend Kenneth Reaber played talk show Cupid and suggested I connect with Grammy-nominated guitarist, singer, and producer, Rick Vito, probably best known as a member of Fleetwood Mac as if that t’weren’t enough, he sold me with Rick’s tenure with Jackson Browne, alongside Kootch and Kunkel for a tour, with this video from ’82 to bring it home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2WkyiHL-n8&t=50s - babies!  Plus, his work with Bonnie Raitt, his legendary slide work with Bob Seger, and Rick later partnering with Mick Fleetwood to form the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band featuring Rick Vito. Shortly after the release of their CD, Blue Again, Rick was nominated for the 2010 Grammy Award in the Best Traditional Blues category as both artist and producer. Not shabby, iffn’ you can git it.

His solo albums began with Atlantic in ’92, after which he began performing worldwide with his own band. He also appeared on hundreds of recordings by such legendary Rock & Roll and Blues Hall of Fame artists as John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, John Fogerty, Little Richard, Leon Russell, Boz Scaggs, John Prine, Delbert McClinton, Rita Coolidge, Roy Orbison, Roger McGuinn, Todd Rundgren, Maria Muldaur, and scores of others. 

Rick is the recipient of the  W.C. Handy Blues Award for the song of the year, It’s Two A.M., by Shemekia Copeland, and his compositions have appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, most recently in multiple episodes of Blue Bloods.

A designer of Art Deco and Modernistic guitars, Rick Vito’s Soul Agent Signature model is currently available from Reverend Guitars. This represents the fourth edition of Reverend Signature models bearing Rick’s name and design features.

In 2020 Rick appeared alongside Christine McVie (in her final performance), Billy Gibbons, Pete Townsend, David Gilmour, Bill Wyman, John Mayall, and a host of other musical luminaries in Mick Fleetwood & Friends Celebrate the Music of Peter Green concert filmed in London, available on CD and DVD. 

Recently, Rick signed with the Blue Heart Records. His rocking Christmas anthem, “I Was A Bad Boy This Year,” is featured on their 2023 “Jingle All The Way” holiday compilation CD, and his new album, “Cadillac Man” is available now and has been on heavy rotation in the Snicki Mobile. 

Looking forward to getting to meet and know this crazy talented, and I can already tell, fun, humble, self-effacing, cool guy! Thanks, Kenneth! 

Rick Vito Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, April 10th 

*** SPECIAL TIME1 PM PT, 4 PM ET***

Streaming Live on my Facebook

Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons

[vickiabelson]

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

Daily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons