Biography for
Phil Hartman (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

24 September 1948, Brantford, Ontario, Canada

Date of Death

28 May 1998, Encino, California, USA (homicide)

Birth Name

Phillip Edward Hartmann

Nickname

The Sultan of Smarm
The Glue of "Saturday Night Live"

Height

5' 10½" (1.79 m)

Mini Biography

Philip Edward Hartmann was born on September 24, 1948, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. His surname was originally "Hartmann" but he later dropped the other "n" -- the reason of which is unknown. As one of the eight children of Rupert and Doris Hartmann, Phil was a very caring and sensitive person and was described as "very sweet and kind of quiet." Although he was born in Canada, the family left when Phil was young, and he spent the majority of his childhood in Connecticut and Southern California. He later obtained his American citizenship in the early 1990s. He often would visit his homeland of Canada throughout his career, and the City of Brantford even erected a plaque on the Walk of Fame in the town in honor of Phil's career and memory. The Humber College Comedy: Writing & Performance program in Toronto, Ontario, also has an award in Phil's memory that is given out to their Post-Graduate comedy students. He originally studied Graphic Design at California State University. He began to work part time as a graphic artist, designing album covers for such bands as Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (see Crosby Stills Nash & Young) and Poco. In 1975, alongside doing album work, Phil joined the California comedy troupe, The Groundlings. While in The Groundlings, Phil worked with Paul Reubens and Jon Lovitz, who became good friends of his until his death. Phil and Paul created the character Pee Wee Herman together, and Phil even had a role on "Pee-wee's Playhouse" (1986) as pirate Captin' Carl.

In 1986, Phil joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live" (1975) and was on the show for a record of 8 seasons (which was later broken by Tim Meadows). Phil played a wide range of characters including: Frank Sinatra, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Ed McMahon, Barbara Bush, and many others. He was known to help out other writers who wanted to get their sketches read and onto the show. He held "Saturday Night Live" (1975) together during his 8-year reign, thus the nickname he garnered while on the show, "The Glue."

Phil was also known for his voice work on commercials and cartoons. He was probably most well known for the voices of Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz on the animated comedy "The Simpsons" (1989). He also provided other minor voices for "The Simpsons" (1989).

Phil left "Saturday Night Live" (1975) in 1994, and in 1995, was cast in the critically acclaimed NBC show "NewsRadio" (1995) as arrogant radio show host Bill McNeal. After Phil's death, Phil's good friend Jon Lovitz attempted to fill the void as Max Lewis on "NewsRadio" (1995), but the struggling show's ratings dropped, and the show later fizzled out and ended in 1999.

Phil had an interesting career in movies, mostly playing supporting characters. He was the lead in Houseguest (1995) and was also in Greedy (1994), Jingle All the Way (1996), Sgt. Bilko (1996), and his last live action film, Small Soldiers (1998).

His last role was the English language dub of Majo no takkyûbin (1989), as the quick-witted cat Jiji, which featured Small Soldiers co-star _Kirsten Dunst_ in the lead voice role.

On May 28th, 1998, Phil was shot to death while sleeping in his Encino, California home by his wife, Brynn Hartman. He was shot three times: in the forearm, neck, and head. Brynn left the house and later came back with a friend to show him the dead body. When her friend went to call 911, Brynn locked herself in the bedroom with Phil's lifeless body and stuck a second gun in her mouth and shot herself. It was later discovered by the coroner that Brynn had alcohol, cocaine, and the antidepressant, Zoloft, in her system. It was a deadly cocktail that cost her and Phil their lives and left their two children, Sean Edward (b. 1987) and Birgen (b. 1992), without parents.

Phil and Brynn's bodies were cremated and spread upon Catalina Island, just off the coast of California, on June 4, 1998. Phil had specifically stated in his will that he wanted the ashes spread on Catalina Island because it was his favorite holiday getaway (he was an avid boater).

IMDb Mini Biography By: Candi G

Spouse

Brynn Hartman	(25 November 1987 - 28 May 1998) (his death) 2 children
Lisa Strain	(18 December 1982 - 1985) (divorced)
Gretchen Lewis	(12 March 1970 - ?) (divorced)

Trade Mark

Radio DJ voice

Trivia

Created artwork for Poco's 1978 album "Legend". Painted the cover for the album "America's Greatest Hits: History". He's credited as "Phil Hartmann". The signature "hartmann" is also on the artwork. Designed logo for the band Crosby Stills & Nash. Designed and drew the cover to the Firesign Theatre's 1980 album "The Fighting Clowns".

Celebrity impersonations include Bill Clinton, Frank Sinatra, Michael Caine, Telly Savalas, Burt Reynolds, Jack Nicholson, Ronald Reagan, Barbara Bush, and Phil Donahue. He was one of seven actors to have portrayed Ronald Reagan on "Saturday Night Live" (1975). Died the same month as Frank Sinatra, whom he had many times impersonated on "Saturday Night Live" (1975).

Children, with Brynn Hartman, Sean (b. 1987) and Birgen (b. 1992) are being raised in Wisconsin by Brynn's sister.

Painted the cover for the album "America's Greatest Hits: History." He's credited as "Phil Hartmann." The signature "hartmann" is also on the artwork.

Designed logo for the band Crosby Stills & Nash.

Joined the Groundlings in 1975 where he met Jon Lovitz and Paul Reubens.

Majored in graphic design at California State University.

Was born Canadian, but became a US citizen in the early 1990s.

Was originally chosen to do the voice of Zapp Brannigan on the "Futurama" (1999) cartoon series. After his death, the role went to Billy West.

Portrayed Bill Clinton on "Saturday Night Live" (1975).

Designed and drew the cover to the Firesign Theatre's 1980 album "The Fighting Clowns."

Was one of seven actors to have portrayed Ronald Reagan on "Saturday Night Live" (1975).

One of 8 siblings born into a Catholic family that migrated to the U.S. from Canada in the 1950s.

Died the same month as Frank Sinatra, whom he had many times impersonated on "Saturday Night Live" (1975).

He is not related to cartoonist Butch Hartman, contrary to popular belief.

When Phil Hartman died in 1998, it was necessary to write into the storyline of the TV series "NewsRadio" (1995) that his anchorman character Bill McNeal had died. When that episode was being filmed, the cast and crew had to stop and restart a number of times because they continually broke out in tears.

According to Simpsons creator Matt Groening, Hartman wanted to make a live action film out of Troy McClure, his character on the show.

Jonathan Winters was his first comedic idol.

Attended Orville Wright Junior High School with Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme. He was voted Happy-Go-Lucky Boy by his class.

The character of Phillip J Fry in "Futurama" (1999) is named for him.

Before every appearance on "Saturday Night Live" (1975), he would say the Lord's Prayer to calm himself.

Was originally signed on to play the role of Zapp Brannigan in the series "Futurama" (1999) before his death. The role instead went to Billy West, whose main character, Phillip J. Fry, was named for him.

Because he helped create the character of "Pee Wee Herman", Phil was asked to co-write Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) and he accepted.

Auditioned for the announcer position on "The New Price Is Right" (1972), which went to Rod Roddy.

Over the course of 9 seasons of Phil on "The Simpsons" (1989), he voiced 19 characters. His regulars Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz, and his one-time characters Moses, The Cable Guy, Plato, The Stockbroker, Horrace, Smooth Jimmy Apollo, Lyle Lanely, Duff Gardens Announcer, Security Guard 2, Mandy Patinkin, FNL announcer, Mr. Muntz, Conover, Charlton Heston, Doctor on Review Board Commitee and Bill Clinton.

In a television interview, Hartman stated that he believed what clinched the "Saturday Night Live" (1975) audition for him was when he was asked if there was anything else he wanted to show them. He replied that he could do any dialect. If they could name the dialect, he could do it. Dennis Miller was watching his audition, and shouted out, "Do French!" Hartman's reply was, "I don't do that.".

He was, by far, the most prolific "guest star" on "The Simpsons" (1989), having been in 53 episodes before his death.

Before he became famous, appeared on "The Dating Game" (1965) as one of the three competing eligible bachelors. He was chosen by the bachelorette but, according to Hartman, she did not show up for their date.

Lorne Michaels, producer of "Saturday Night Live" (1975) considered Hartman so important to the show, he called him "The Glue".

Spoke fluent German. A video once circulated of him doing a stand-up routine in German.

Planned to star in his own variety show titled "The Phil Show" after leaving "SNL" but NBC scrapped the project.

Planned a movie based on his character Chick Hazard, Private Eye but the project fell through.

Wrote a comedy-horror screenplay titled "Mr. Fix-It". Robert Zemeckis was to produce with Gil Bettman directing. But Zemeckis was unable to get financing and the project stalled.

Personal Quotes

I'm 49-years-old and I'm cautious of the fact that very few people in comedy have careers after age 50. I think there's a notion in our society, and it maybe valid, that people aren't as funny when they get older. It's a stigma still attached to the rebelliousness of youth. I do believe that sooner or later I'll get those great roles like Gary Sinise's part in Forrest Gump (1994) or Tommy Lee Jones' as "Two Face" in Batman Forever (1995).

I started doing Clinton and then I was on the cover of TV Guide. I became ... a household name... I didn't have to look for work any more. Work came to me

I benefit from the Mr. Potato Head syndrome. Put a wig and a nose and glasses on me, and I disappear.

(On the 1991 arrest of Paul Reubens ("Pee Wee Herman") for indecent exposure): The loss he took for what allegedly happened is the equivalent of somebody's getting 20 years for having a joint in their wallet.

I still don't speak to Paul Reubens. We just had a falling out and never put it back together.

I'm a really big fan of Bill Murray. He's been a great influence on me - when he did that smarmy thing in Ghost Busters (1984), then the same sort of thing in Groundhog Day (1993). I tried to imitate it. I couldn't. I wasn't good enough. But I discovered an element of something else, so in a sick kind of way I made myself a career by doing a bad imitation of another comic. I know who I am as a person, but as a comic actor I'm still trying to figure it out.

It's fun coming in as the second or third lead. If the movie or TV show bombs, you aren't to blame.

[on appearing on "The Dating Game" (1965)] I won... What did it? She asked me, if I was a street sign, what would I be? I said, 'Slippery when wet.' Yes, and as you might have expected, she stood me up.

I've served the same role that Dan Aykroyd did. The average guy who you could put wigs and glasses and noses on and make into a lot of different things. I've been sympathetic dads, scary attorneys, insane killers, and Frank Sinatra, who is sort of an amalgam of all those things.

[on leaving "SNL"] The shows are getting less sophisticated. There's less political satire. The younger audience loves Adam Sandler. He appeals less to the intellect and more to that stand-up sensibility of 'Let's go out there and be insane.' I like Adam Sandler, but that's not my kind of comedy, so, yeah, in a way it makes me feel like, 'Well, it's time for me to go.'

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