Phil Hartman

Philip "Phil" Edward Hartman (originally Hartmann) (September 24, 1948 – May 28, 1998) was a graphic artist, writer, actor and comedian born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. He was also one of several notable graduates from Westchester High School in Los Angeles, California. Hartman became a U.S. citizen in the early 1990s. The exact timing of his switch from "Hartmann" to "Hartman" is unknown, but all of his acting credits after 1986 were as "Hartman."

Death

Hartman died on May 28, 1998 in his Encino, California home. He was shot by his wife, Brynn, who then turned the gun on herself later that morning. The reasons for the murder-suicide are unknown, although friends of the Hartmans speculated in the press that the combination of their marriage problems and Brynn's drug addictions probably contributed.

Related Topics:
May 28 - 1998 - Encino, California - Murder-suicide - Drug addiction

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Hartman's death caused considerable mourning in Hollywood. NewsRadio produced a special episode where the cast sincerely and tearfully mourned the death of Hartman's on-screen counterpart. After his death, Lovitz joined the show. Out of respect, The Simpsons retired his characters, rather than finding another voice actor.

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Hartman was posthumously nominated for an Emmy Award for his portrayal of McNeal in NewsRadio, but lost out to David Hyde Pierce from the show Frasier. Upon learning Hartman did not win the award, Dave Foley (a friend and fellow star of NewsRadio) remarked, "What's this guy gotta do to win an Emmy?"

Related Topics:
Emmy Award - David Hyde Pierce - Frasier - Dave Foley

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