Phil Hartman was born on September 24, 1948, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. After graduating high school, Hartman studied art at Santa Monica City College and California State University, Northridge. He developed his own business that created over 40 album covers for various bands.  In the 1970s, Hartman had his first television appearance on The Dating Game; he won. Hartman married Gretchen Lewis in 1970. The marriage last 11 years and ended in divorce. In 1982, he married Lisa Strain and their marriage lasted three years. Hartman then married former model and aspiring actress Brynn Omdahl in November 1987. Omdahl and Hartman had two children together, Sean and Birgen Hartman. During a rough patch, Hartman considered retiring to save the marriage. He tried to get acting roles for his wife, but she became more and more reliant on narcotics and alcohol.

In 1975, He joined the improvisational comedy group, The Groundlings.

Through the group Hartman met comedian Paul Reubens and the two became friends. Hartman helped Reubens create the character of Pee-wee Herman and Hartman played Captain Carl on the show. In 1980 he appeared with Reubens in the film Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie. Hartman co-wrote the script for the film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, in 1985. During the 1970s and early 1980s Hartman recorded many voice over roles in TV shows including The Smurfs, Challenge of the GoBots and The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo.

In 1986, after appearing in both Jumpin’ Jack Flash and ¡Three Amigos!, Phil Hartman joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. He appeared on the show for eight seasons.  He also became famous for his impressions. Harman performed over 70 different characters during his run with SNL. Phil Donahue and Bill Clinton where considered some of his best impressions. In 1995, Phil took on the sitcom NewsRadio. He played a self-indulgent news anchorman. In 1998, Phil was nominated for the Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series; however, he lost to David Hyde Pierce.

Hartman also lent his voice to the characters of Lionel Hutz and troy McClure from The Simpsons. He can be heard in over 50 episodes.

On May 27, 1998, Hartman’s wife Brynn had a heated argument with her husband. At about 3:00 a.m. the next morning Brynn walked into her husband’s bedroom and shot him twice in the head and once in his side, while he slept, with a .38 caliber handgun. She was intoxicated and had taken cocaine recently. She then drove to Rob Douglas’ house (her friend) and confessed to the murder. Brynn then locked herself in a bedroom and shot herself in the head. Phil’s remains were cremated and spread over Santa Catalina Island’s Emerald Bay.