Phil Hartman, the beloved comedian and actor known for his work on Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, and NewsRadio, was fatally shot by his wife Brynn Hartman in the early hours of May 28, 1998. He was 49 years old. Born on September 24, 1948, in Branford, Ontario, Canada, Hartman moved with his family to the United States when he was 10. He initially studied art at Santa Monica City College and later graphic arts at California State University.
Before finding fame in comedy, Hartman ran his own graphic design business and created more than 40 album covers, including the logo for the band Crosby, Stills & Nash. His entry into entertainment began when he took comedy classes with the Groundlings, the renowned improv group in Los Angeles. By 1979, he had become one of its standout performers. It was there that he met Paul Reubens, and together they created the character Pee-wee Herman.
Hartman played Captain Carl in the stage show, which aired on HBO in 1981, and later in the children’s series Pee-wee’s Playhouse. He also co-wrote the script for the 1985 film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and appeared briefly as a reporter in it. After a creative disagreement with Reubens, Hartman left the project to pursue other opportunities. Hartman built an extensive career in voice acting, lending his voice to shows such as The Smurfs, The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo, and Dennis the Menace.
He also appeared in films like Jumping Jack Flash and Three Amigos in 1986. That same year, he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, where he remained for eight seasons. Known for his versatility and sharp impressions, Hartman performed more than 70 characters on the show, including originals like Eugene the anal-retentive chef and the Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. His celebrity impressions included Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, Ed McMahon, Barbara Bush, and his most famous one, Bill Clinton.
In 1989, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program as part of the SNL writing team. He left SNL in 1994 and provided voices for 52 episodes of The Simpsons. In 1995, he became one of the stars of the NBC sitcom NewsRadio, playing radio news anchor Bill McNeal. Hartman married Brynn Omdahl, a former model and aspiring actress, in November 1987.
The couple had two children. Their marriage, however, was troubled. According to reports, Brynn was jealous of Hartman’s success and was often verbally and physically abusive. She reportedly even sent a threatening letter to one of Hartman’s ex-wives.
Hartman considered retiring from acting to try to save the marriage. He also tried to help Brynn secure acting roles, but her reliance on drugs and alcohol grew. She entered rehab several times, and on multiple occasions Hartman removed their children from the home to stay with friends or family because of her outbursts. On the night of May 27, 1998, Phil and Brynn Hartman argued.
Phil went to bed, but sometime before 3:00 a. m. on May 28, Brynn entered the bedroom and, under the influence of drugs and alcohol, fatally shot him three times: once between the eyes, once in the throat, and once in the upper chest. After the shooting, Brynn drove to the home of a friend and confessed to the killing.
The friend initially did not believe her, but drove to the Hartman residence and saw the body before calling 911 at 6:20 a. m. When police arrived, Brynn had locked herself in the bedroom and took her own life shortly afterward. Phil Hartman was cremated, and his ashes were scattered over Santa Catalina Island.
He is remembered for his remarkable range as a performer and the lasting popularity of his roles.
