[citation needed] To help support his mother, sister and two brothers, he began washing dishes at a cafe after school when he was 7 years old.

[5] Other stage credits included The Silver Cord, The Age of Consent, Life Begins, Sweepings, and Big City Blues.

Linden frequently portrayed "sensitive, intellectual, slightly weak-willed juveniles", sometimes with tragic destinies.

[6] His notable films include Big City Blues (1932) with Joan Blondell, Old Hutch (1936) opposite Wallace Beery, Ah, Wilderness!

After Hollywood, Linden returned to stage acting, going on to appear in such plays as The Philadelphia Story, My Sister Eileen, and Brighton Rock.