Phil Hartman was the one funny man who everyone believed would be passed over by the Saturday Night Live curse. Sure, Chris Farley and John Belushi seemed on a crash course with destiny. But Mr. Straight, Phil Hartman? Never.
Hartman was the plain-looking Everyday Guy who nailed over 100 impressions, ranging from Bill Clinton to Liberace to Barbara Bush. His weapons were his dry wit, sardonic laughter and infectious personality. Everyone loved Phil.
The Canadian-born Hartman was educated at Cal-State Northridge, where he majored in graphic design. He parlayed his education into artwork and eventually created the logo for Crosby, Stills & Nash, as well as album cover art for the Grateful Dead and Steely Dan.
Hartman was also an inspired writer and creator; he helped Paul Reubens develop the Pee-Wee Herman character. In addition, Hartman was part of The Groundlings comedy improvisational troupe on Melrose Avenue, which spawned future celebrities such as Andy Dick and David Schwimmer.
In 1986, Hartman hit the big time when he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. Considered "the glue" of the show by creator Lorne Michaels, Hartman made people laugh with a perfectly timed arched eyebrow and a knowing smirk. Hartman would stay with the show for eight years — a millennium in the SNL life span.
By 1994, Hartman decided to leave SNL. He eventually landed the plum role of smarmy office guy, Bill McNeal, on NBC’s highly praised, yet barely seen sitcom, NewsRadio. He also provided the voice of Troy McClure on Fox’s animated comedy hit, The Simpsons.
Just two years earlier, in 1992, Hartman married his third wife, Brynn. The couple would have two children together. The former model, however, aspired to be an actress and screenwriter. Instead, she found herself relegated to the roles of housewife and mother.
Most of Hartman’s close friends believed Phil and Brynn were the perfect couple. They always seemed happy and gazed adoringly at each other. The couple led a low-key, non-celebrity lifestyle in their modest ranch-style home in Encino (pictured).
Brynn Hartman, inexplicably however, did not feel safe in their home. To deal with her misplaced fears, she purchased several handguns and strategically hid them around the house. Brynn believed they needed protection from crazy celebrity stalkers who might come after her husband and their kids.
