Bio: Phil Hartman was born Philip Edward Hartmann on September 24, 1948, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. His surname was originally "Hartmann", but he later dropped the second "n". He was one of eight children of Doris Marguerite (Wardell) and Rupert Loebig Hartmann, a salesman. He was of German, Irish, and English descent. The family moved to the United States when Phil was around ten, 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.Phil 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 Kiki's Delivery Service (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. Brynn left the house and later came back with a friend to show him Phil's body. When her friend went to call 911, Brynn locked herself in the bedroom with Phil's lifeless body and shot herself. It was later discovered by the coroner that Brynn had alcohol, cocaine, and the antidepressant, Zoloft, in her system. They left behind two children, Sean Edward (b. 1988) and Birgen (b. 1992). 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 as he was an avid boater, surfer and general lover of the sea.Phil was a very caring and sensitive person and was described as "very sweet and kind of quiet."
Tivia: The character Philip J. Fry on the animated sitcom Futurama (1999) is named for him.When Phil Hartman died on May 28, 1998, it was necessary to write into the storyline of the television 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.Despite being known for playing boorish characters, he had a reputation as one of the nicest, most well-liked actors in Hollywood with many of his co-stars and directors describing him as a true professional and a joy to work with.As a mark of respect, Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure, his characters on The Simpsons (1989), were written out of the sitcom and have not been seen or mentioned since.Because he helped create the character Pee-Wee Herman, Phil was asked to co-write Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) and he accepted.On his last Saturday Night Live performance, he serenaded Chris Farley.Managed a graphic design business before acting and designed over forty album covers, including the logo for Crosby Stills & Nash.He was, by far, the most prolific "guest star" on The Simpsons (1989), having been in 53 episodes before his untimely death.Lorne Michaels, producer of Saturday Night Live (1975) considered Hartman so important to the show, he called him "The Glue".On his last appearance on Saturday Night Live (1975), his send off included him serenading Chris Farley. Both actors would die six months apart from each other.Rehearsals for The Simpsons (1989) were cancelled on the day his death was announced.He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6600 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on August 26, 2014.Helped Jan Hooks overcome her stage fright while on Saturday Night Live (1975).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.".Spoke fluent German. A video once circulated of him doing a stand-up routine in German.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.Was born Canadian, but became a United States citizen in the early 1990s.Was originally chosen to do the voice of Zapp Brannigan on the animated sitcom Futurama (1999). After his untimely death, the role went to Billy West.Had two children with Brynn Hartman: Sean Edward (b. 1989) and Birgen Hartman (b. 1992), who were raised by Brynn's sister Katherine and her husband Michael Wright in Eau Claire, Wisconsin after the deaths of their parents.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.Did not begin acting until he was 27 years old.Majored in graphic design at California State University.Before every appearance on Saturday Night Live (1975), he would say the Lord's Prayer to calm himself.Planned to star in his own variety show titled "The Phil Show" after leaving "SNL" but NBC scrapped the project.According to The Simpsons (1989) creator Matt Groening, Hartman wanted to make a live action film out of Troy McClure, his character on the sitcom.Died the same month as Frank Sinatra, whom he had many times impersonated on Saturday Night Live (1975).Was one of eight siblings born into a Catholic family that migrated to the United States from Canada in the 1950s.He was cremated after his untimely death and his ashes were scattered over Santa Catalina Island's Emerald Bay.Created artwork for Poco's album "Legend" (1978). Painted the cover for the album "America's Greatest Hits: History". He was credited as "Phil Hartmann". The signature "hartmann" is also on the artwork. Designed the logo for the folk-rock band Crosby Stills & Nash. Designed and drew the cover to the Firesign Theatre's album "The Fighting Clowns" (1980).Was the subject of a biography, "You Might Remember Me" (2014), taking its title from Hartman's Simpsons catchphrase. The book reports that he removed the extra "n" from his surname to improve his i-ching number. Also, while Frank Sinatra came to enjoy Hartman's impersonation once it met with his daughter Tina's approval, Bill Clinton had more mixed feelings, sending him a photo with the inscription "you're not the president, but you play one on TV and you're okay - mostly".Auditioned for the announcer position on The Price Is Right (1972), which went to Rod Roddy.He was posthumously awarded a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto, Ontario in 2012.Jonathan Winters was his first comedic idol.Was originally signed on to play the role of Zapp Brannigan on the animated sitcom Futurama (1999) before his untimely death. The role instead went to Billy West, whose main character, Phillip J. Fry, was named for him.Was close friends with fellow SNL cast member Jan Hooks.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).Joined the comedy troupe The Groundlings where he met Jon Lovitz and Paul Reubens (1975).His untimely death occurred only five days after the Seattle International Film Festival premiered Disney's English dub of Kiki's Delivery Service (1989), in which he gave one of his last performances.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.Also well 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 sitcom 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 sitcom NewsRadio (1995) as arrogant radio show host Bill McNeal.Attended Westchester High School with Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme.Planned a movie based on his character Chick Hazard, Private Eye but the project fell through.Had portrayed Bill Clinton on Saturday Night Live (1975).Just before he died, Hartman recorded a voiceover routine with Don Rickles for the introduction to the Tiki Room at Walt Disney World. After his untimely death, audience members were seen to become visibly shook up when they recognized his voice.His father Rupert Hartmann passed away on April 30, 1998 (at age 83), less than a month before Phil's tragic death.Was one of seven actors to have portrayed Ronald Reagan on Saturday Night Live (1975).Despite appearing in three films with comedian Sinbad, the only film they shared any screen time together in was Houseguest (1995). They also appeared in Coneheads (1993) and Jingle All the Way (1996), but did not share any scenes together in those films.According to one of his final interviews (and also what his friends and co-stars have confirmed), since Hartman was approaching 50, He felt he wanted to go into dramatic or serious films (or roles) and not continue to do 'over the top' comedies (like Jingle All the Way (1996)). Sadly, his tragic death happened before he could get it 'rolling'.He had made a guest spot on the cliffhanger of the season finale of the sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996). He was meant to appear in the new season opener. Then when his extremely-unexpected death happened, it was decided that his scenes (in the finale) be re-shot with a different actor playing a different character (which re-aired a week before the season's premiere) so that it wouldn't seem awkwardly re-cast or considered disrespectful.He is not related to cartoonist Butch Hartman, contrary to popular belief.