Continue to Hollywoodlife () SKIP AD
Hollywood Life Logo Image

Hollywood Life

Today's Top Stories

  • Ben Affleck
    See Pics

    Ben Affleck Has Dunkin’ Donuts Delivered To His House After Ana de Armas Breakup

  • Nikki Bella
    See Pic

    Nikki Bella Rocks A Crop Top 5 Mos. After Giving Birth In Sweet New Pic With Son Matteo

  • waxing kit
    SHOP

    Can’t Make It To The Salon? This At-Home Waxing Kit Removes Hair In Minutes & Is Under $50

Hollywood Life
  • Home
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Celebrity Bios
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Shopping
  • Celebrity News
  • World News
  • Exclusives
  • Politics
  • Celebrity Babies
  • Opinions
ALL NEWS
  • Donald Trump Mocked With ‘Bye Felicia’ Messages On Twitter Just Hours Before He Leaves Office

  • Yolanda Adams: 5 Things To Know About Gospel Singer Who Performed ‘Hallelujah’ At COVID-10 Memorial

  • Kourtney Kardashian Stuns In Sexy Red Romper In Throwback Pics From Sardinia Getaway

  • Award Shows
  • At The Movies
  • TV
  • Music
  • Sports
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Holidays
  • Entertainment Features
  • Podcast
  • Oscar Contenders
ALL ENTERTAINMENT
  • Olivia Rodrigo Joshua Bassett

    ‘High School Musical’ Series Updates: The Latest On Where The Show’s Second Season Stands

  • Bob Harper Gives His Tips To Motivate You To Workout At Home With The App He Loves

  • Kevin Kreider: 5 Things To Know About The Hunky Star Of Netflix’s ‘Bling Empire’

  • Taylor Swift
  • Rihanna
  • Selena Gomez
  • Kim Kardashian
  • Kylie Jenner
  • Kendall Jenner
  • Justin Bieber
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Gigi Hadid
  • Khloe Kardashian
  • Jennifer Lopez
  • Angelina Jolie
  • Harry Styles
  • Kourtney Kardashian
ALL CELEBRITY BIOS
  • Donald Trump Mocked With ‘Bye Felicia’ Messages On Twitter Just Hours Before He Leaves Office

  • Yolanda Adams: 5 Things To Know About Gospel Singer Who Performed ‘Hallelujah’ At COVID-10 Memorial

  • Kourtney Kardashian Stuns In Sexy Red Romper In Throwback Pics From Sardinia Getaway

  • Fragrance
  • Hair Care
  • Health
  • Makeup
  • Nails
  • Beauty Features
  • Skincare
  • Makeover
  • Diet & Fitness
ALL BEAUTY
  • facial machine

    This Trendy High-Frequency Wand Is The New, Go-To Tool To Clear Acne & It’s Less Than $40 

  • If Your Skin Is Breaking Out, These Pimple Patches With Over 14,000 Reviews Are Under $20

  • Relieve Sore Muscles & Cramps With This $30 Heating Pad That Has Over 3,500 Reviews

  • Red Carpet
  • Weddings
  • Fashion Features
  • Shopping
ALL FASHION
  • Kim Kardashian, Larsa Pippen & 6 More Stars Lounging By The Pool In Their Bikinis

  • Salma Hayek, 54, Meditates In A Black Bikini While Hitting The Beach On Winter Vacation

  • 15 Stars In Leggings & Crop Tops That Are Perfect Looks For Your At-Home Quarantine Workouts

  • Share This Article
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Print
  • Talk
Next Up

Alex Jones: 5 Things To Know About Radio Host Who Said He’ll Kill & Eat His Neighbors To Feed His Kids

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Newsletters
  • Search Close

Trending

  • Bonnie Says
  • Celeb Babies
  • TV
  • Celeb Galleries
  • Podcast
Search

NewsExpand Menu

  • Celebrity News
  • World News
  • Exclusives
  • Politics
  • Celebrity Babies
  • Opinions
  • Rock The Vote

EntertainmentExpand Menu

  • Entertainment Features
  • TV
  • Award Shows
  • At The Movies
  • Music
  • Sports
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Podcast
  • At Home With...

BeautyExpand Menu

  • Fragrance
  • Hair Care
  • Health
  • Makeup
  • Nails
  • Skincare
  • Beauty Features
  • Diet & Fitness
  • Shopping

FashionExpand Menu

  • Red Carpet
  • Weddings
  • Fashion Features
  • Shopping

TrendingExpand Menu

  • Bonnie Says
  • TV
  • Celeb Galleries
  • PODCAST

About UsExpand Menu

  • About Us
  • Writer Bios
  • Scoops, Tips & Corrections
  • Subscribe To Newsletter
  • Contact Us

Celebrity ProfilesExpand Menu

  • Kim Kardashian
  • Kylie Jenner
  • Justin Bieber
  • Selena Gomez
  • Taylor Swift
  • Rihanna
  • Kendall Jenner
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Gigi Hadid
  • Jennifer Lopez
  • Angelina Jolie
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Newsletters
Alerts & Newsletters
  • Jobs
  • Scoops & Corrections
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • AdChoices
  • Data Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
© 2021 Penske Media Corporation
  • News
  • Exclusives
5 Things
May 1, 2020 11:05PM EDT

Phil Hartman: 5 Things To Know About The ‘SNL’ Star Shot Dead By His Wife In 1998

Shutterstock
Phil Hartman Â
Hartman, Phil
Phil and Brynn Hartman
'Apollo 13' film premiere, Los Angeles, America - 20 Jun 1995
Phil Hartman and Birgen Hartman
'Sgt Bilko' Premiere
March 27, 1996: Los Angeles, CA
Phil Hartman and Birgen Hartman
"Sgt Bilko" Premiere
Photo by Alan Berliner ® Berliner Studio/BEImages
Editorial use only. No book cover usage.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alan Singer/Nbc-Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock (5877686h)
Phil Hartman
Saturday Night Live
NBC-TV
USA
Television View Gallery View Gallery 10 Photos.
Beth Shilliday
Senior Evening Writer
  • Share This Article
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Print
  • Talk

Late comedian Phil Hartman’s life is getting a look back in the ABC special ‘The Last Days of Phil Hartman.’ We’ve got five things to know about the former ‘SNL’ star murdered by his wife.

In May of 1998 Hollywood woke up to the horrifying news that beloved comic genius Phil Hartman had been shot dead in his own bed of his Encino, CA home by his wife Brynn, who then took her own life. He was one of the best comics and impressionists Saturday Night Live ever had in his eight years on the program. Phil was the star of his own sitcom, NBC’s NewsRadio at the time of his tragic death at just 49-years-old. His life is being examined in the May 1 ABC special The Last Days of Phil Hartman and we’ve got five things to know about him.

1. Phil was Canadian but grew up in the U.S.

He was born in Brantford, Ontario and was one of eight children. He was ten when his family moved to the U.S., first to Maine then to Los Angeles where he attended high school.

2. Phil was a member of the legendary L.A. comedy improv troupe The Groundlings.

He helped hone his comedy improvisation in classes there and by 1979 was one of the group’s brightest talents.

3. Phil helped create the character of Pee Wee Herman, with his friend Paul Reubens who played Pee Wee. 

Together the close friends collaborated on writing and sketch material and came up with Pee Wee, the hilarious man-child which they developed into a stage performance for Paul and later got a comedy special on HBO. Then the two created the children’s show Pee Wee’s Playhouse, with Phil playing the character of Captain Carl.

4. Phil rocketed to fame on Saturday Night Live.

He successfully auditioned for SNL in 1986 and quickly became one one of their most adept players. His Bill Clinton impression became his became an audience favorite, but his impersonations of Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, Barbara Bush and others were also iconic. He stayed with the show through 1994. Phil left to star on the NBC sitcom NewsRadio, which would garner him Best Supporting Actor Emmy nominations.

5. Phil died a violent death at the hands of his wife Brynn. 

His wife had developed a cocaine problem and she and Phil had an argument on the night of May 27, 1998, where he threatened to leave her if went back to using the drug. He then went to bed. Around 3am the following morning she used a .38 caliber handgun to shoot her sleeping husband four times, including once between the eyes. Autopsy tests later showed that she been using cocaine and was intoxicated. Several hours later she committed suicide with the same gun, leaving their two children orphaned. Brynn’s sister Katharine Omdahl and brother-in-law ended up raising the Hartman’s kids.

Click to Subscribe to Our HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get more celeb news.
  • Share This Article
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Print
  • Talk
Evergreen

More Related News:

  • Ashley Ellerin: 5 Things On Woman Murdered Before Date With Ashton Kutcher In 2001
  • Jayme Closs: Missing Wisconsin Teen, 13, Found Alive 3 Months After Her Parents Were Murdered
  • JonBenet Ramsey: Technology Reveals How Murdered Child Beauty Queen Would Look At 28

Most Read

Billie Eilish Shares Cheeky New Pic Of Her Brother’s Girlfriend Kissing Her Backside — See Photo

Billie Eilish

Iggy Azalea Is ‘Feelin’ Herself’ In Blue Bikini & Sheer T-Shirt Amidst Reports She’s Ready To Date Again — See Pic

iggy

Miley Cyrus Reveals Why She’s More Into Women Than Men In Raunchy New Interview

Miley Cyrus

Anna Shay: 5 Things To Know About The Heiress Who Is The Breakout Star Of ‘Bling Empire’

Anna Shay

Katy Perry Goes Shopping In Rare Appearance 5 Mos. After Baby Daisy’s Birth: See New Pics

Have news, pics or video on a breaking news story?

Send us your Tip

Have news, pics or video on a breaking news story?

Send us your Tip

More From Our Brands

  • Meena Harris’ New Kids Book Is Out Today & It’s the Perfect Way to Celebrate Inauguration Day
    SheKnows

    Meena Harris’ New Kids Book Is Out Today & It’s the Perfect Way to Celebrate Inauguration Day

  • Bath & Body Works’ Valentine’s Day ‘Bake Shop’ Is Now Open with 15 New Fragrance Treats
    StyleCaster

    Bath & Body Works’ Valentine’s Day ‘Bake Shop’ Is Now Open with 15 New Fragrance Treats

  • Buffy Summers Turns the Big 4-0: Sarah Michelle Gellar Suggests 'Let's All Be Brave' to Honor the Slayer
    TVLine

    Buffy Summers Turns the Big 4-0: Sarah Michelle Gellar Suggests 'Let's All Be Brave' to Honor the Slayer

  • Airbnb Launches ‘Inside K-Pop’ Virtual Experience
    Rolling Stone

    Airbnb Launches ‘Inside K-Pop’ Virtual Experience

  • Kamala Harris Makes Touching Statement in Pyer Moss at a COVID-19 Memorial Ahead of Inauguration
    FootwearNews

    Kamala Harris Makes Touching Statement in Pyer Moss at a COVID-19 Memorial Ahead of Inauguration

    HollywoodLife

    • About Us
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Advertise With Us
    • Careers
    • Scoops & Corrections
    • Contact Us

    Legal

    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Rights
    • AdChoices
    • EU Privacy Preferences
    • Terms of Use
    • Data Policy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    News

    • Celebrity News
    • World News
    • Exclusives
    • Celebrity Babies

    Connect

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
SheKnows Media - Entertainment
© Copyright 2021 HollywoodLife, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC.
Powered by WordPress.com VIP
ad