Phil Hartman Biography

Phil Hartman was an American man of diverse talents; actor, comedian, voice artist, screenwriter, and an expert graphic artist. Originally born in Canada, his family moved to the United States when he was a child. He started out as a graphic artist, later found his way into comedy before ultimately delving into acting.

He was the fourth of his parents’ eight children and he was raised in the Roman Catholic faith. After moving to the US with his family in 1958, he had his high school education at Westchester High School in Los Angeles. For college, he attended California State University, Northridge where he studied graphic arts.

Phil Hartman Age

Philip Edward Hartmann was born on September 24, 1948, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.

Phil Hartman Wife

Phil Hartman was married thrice during his lifetime. The most significant of his marital unions were with Brynn Omdahl, a former model, and aspiring actress. The couple met on a blind date and after dating for one year, they tied the knot on November 25, 1987. They had 2 children together Sean Edward, born in 1987 and Birgen Hartman, born in 1992.

Unlike her famous husband, Brynn Hartman was unable to make headway in her own showbiz career. She was allegedly intimidated by her husband’s profound success and at some point, Hartman considered quitting his own career just to salvage the marriage. Brynn’s plight was further complicated by the fact that she progressively slid into alcohol and drug dependency which made it even more difficult for her to get acting roles.

Hartman and his wife never got a divorce, however, the marriage ended after 11 years following the tragic death of both parties. After their death, the two Hartman children were eventually raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin by their mother’s sister Katherine Omdahl and her husband Michael Wright.

A photo of Phil Hartman

Phil Hartman Children

He has only 2 children namely: Birgen Anika Hartman and Sean Edward Hartman

Phil Hartman SNL

His turn on SNL spanned 8 years during which he performed as many as 70 different characters. He became particularly known for his hilariously epic Bill Clinton impressions and comedy sketches. Hartman’s starring and writing roles on SNL earned him 3 Primetime Emmy Award nominations winning the award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program in 1989 alongside other co-writers.

However, while working on Saturday Night Live, Hartman also held several other acting roles the most notable of which was on the hit animated sitcom The Simpsons (1991-98) starting from its second season. He voiced different characters and appeared in a total of 52 episodes. Hartman left SNL in 1994 and consequently, he relocated from New York City to Southern California. In 1995, he joined the cast of NBC sitcom NewsRadio starring as radio news anchor Bill McNeal. He was on the show for 4 seasons as he passed on before its fifth and final season.

In Addition, Hartman gained much prominence in the 1980s for his brilliant work on Saturday Night Live which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award in 1989. The multitalented star went on to play some iconic characters on a number of hit sitcoms including NewsRadio and The Simpsons.

Phil Hartman Movies and Tv Shows

Phil Hartman Death

Phil Hartman died on May 28, 1998, in Encino, California. While sleeping in his bedroom on that fateful day, he was shot three times by his wife Brynn who was intoxicated at the time. After committing the heinous act, she drove to a friend’s place to whom she confessed the crime. Together, they went back to the apartment where the friend eventually dialed 911.

Brynn Hartman also called another friend on the phone to whom she also confessed the crime. Before police arrived at the scene, she locked herself in the bedroom and there, she took her own life by shooting herself in the right eye.

Phil Hartman’s death was ruled a homicide. His remains were cremated and his ashes were scattered on Emerald Bay in Santa Catalina Island, Los Angeles, according to his will.