Phil Hartman, an 8-year SNL cast member and movie
actor, died Thursday, May 28 1998. He was shot repeatedly, apparently by his wife Brynn,
who later committed suicide as police took the children into custody. Police responded to
a 911 call but when they arrived, Phil had already been dead for some time. Phil and Brynn
leave behind two children: a 9-year-old boy, Sean, and a 6-year-old girl, Birgen.
Phil was first known as "Cap'n Carl" on Pee-Wee's
Playhouse, and he also helped write the screenplay for the movie Pee-Wee's Big
Adventure in 1985. A year later he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live and
continued for eight years, until he left the show in 1994. Ironically, his emotional last
scene was with SNL castmate Chris Farley, who also died years later.
After Phil left SNL, he appeared in several films including Coneheads,
Houseguest, and So I Married An Axe Murderer. Then, in 1995, he landed a TV job
as Bill McNeal on Newsradio, an office sitcom also starring Dave Foley and Andy
Dick. While with Newsradio, Phil also made more movies, did voices for various
works including The Simpsons, and made commercials for 1-800-COLLECT, M&M's,
and McDonald's.
Phil died just days after NBC renewed Newsradio for another
season, but the show will continue without him. Phil's good friend Jon Lovitz will replace
him on the show, with a different character.
Phil Hartman Page
Phil
Hartman Page #2
Phil Hartman 1948-1998
The Phil Hartman Show
As most of you probably already know, Chris Farley was
the plus-sized, eccentric comedian on his way up the Hollywood food chain to become a big
star.
Chris was born February 15, 1964 in Madison, Wisconsin where he grew
up. In 1986 he graduated from Marquette University with a degree in communications, and he
joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1990. It was at SNL that he won the
hearts and laughs of people all across America.
With characters such as Matt Foley the Motivational Speaker, the
slightly overweight Chippendales dancer, and a member of the Chicago-obsessed Bill
Swerski's Superfans, Chris delighted audiences with his wild, loud performances and
crashing (sometimes literally) finales.
While on SNL, Chris guest-starred in three SNL based movies: Wayne's
World, Wayne's World 2, and Coneheads. It was only after he left the
show in 1994 when he made his starring debut in the hit Tommy Boy with good friend
& castmate David Spade. Chris and David made another movie, Black Sheep, and in
1997 Chris alone starred in Beverly Hills Ninja. In 1998, Chris's last movie Almost
Heroes with Matthew Perry premiered over the summer.
Before his death, Chris had his share of problems, including cocaine,
pot, and excessive drinking. On December 18, 1997, Chris died from an overdose on cocaine
and opium drugs in his apartment in Chicago. He was only 33. His funeral a few days later
was attended by family and friends including Chris Rock.
Several tributes to Chris Farley have been aired: the day after his
death, Comedy Central aired an all-day SNL marathon highlighting Chris's performances. And
on the following Saturday, a Chris Farley Special with clips from the comic's SNL career
aired on NBC replacing the normal Saturday Night Live episode. We all know how much
we will miss Chris's humor and the way he made us laugh so hard.
© 2000 SNL1344@aol.com