You Might Remember Me The Life and Times of Phil Hartman

by Mike Thomas

  Arnold, Christine. “Olympic Festival: Fun, Frivoligy.” Miami Herald, 25 June 1984.

  Baker, Kathryn. “Phil Who? The Funny Guy on SNL.” Associated Press, 4 August 1987.

  Bianculli, David. “A Reubens Masterpiece: Pee-wee DVD Is a Classic.” New York Daily News, 17 November 2004.

  ———. “‘Second Civil War’ First-Rate.” New York Daily News, 14 March 1997.

  ———. “‘SNL’ Co-star Remembers Her Hartman.” New York Daily News, 02 June 1998.

  Blankstein, Andrew, and Solomon Moore. “Police Reviewing Brynn Hartman’s Script.” Los Angeles Times, 4 June 1998.

  Braxton, Greg. “Without Their Anchor.” Los Angeles Times, 23 September 1998.

  Busch, Anita M. “Paramount Points to ‘Coneheads’ for 1993.” The Hollywood Reporter, 12 September 1992.

  Cagle, Jess. “Merry Hartman Merry Hartman.” Entertainment Weekly, 11 March 1994.

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  Carter, Bill. “A Hard Job to Accept: A Slain Buddy’s Show.” New York Times, 7 October 1998.

  ———. “‘Picking up the Flag’: Lovitz Honoring Fallen Friend.” New York Times, 12 October 1998.

  Cerone, Daniel H. “Ham Radio.” TV Guide, 30 March 1996.

  ———. “A Mandate for Mimicry.” Los Angeles Times, 14 November 1992.

  Chang, Donald. “Welcome Back, Phil: Actor’s Homecoming ‘a Little Emotional,’” Brantford Expositor, 7 July 1997.

  Churchill, Bonnie. “The Importance of Voices and Toys.” Ultimate TV News, April 1998.

  “Coroner: Hartman’s Wife on Drugs, Drunk.” CNN.com, 8 June 1998.

  Covert, Colin, and Jeff Strickler. “Move Along, Minnesotans, It’s Only a Movie Superstar.” Minneapolis Star Tribune, 12 April 1996.

  Crane, Robert and Phil Hartman. “Phil Hartman’s Guide to the Holiday Office Party.” Playboy, December 1998.

  Crosby, Sherry Joe and Eric Leach. “Storybook Lives End in Tragedy; Phil Hartman Dead, Wife Kills Self in Home.” Los Angeles Daily News, 29 May 1998.

  Dahlin, Andrea. “Groundlings Revue.” The Hollywood Reporter, 27 April 1979.

  Downey, Mike. “Nothing Funny about Death of This Funny Man.” Los Angeles Times, 29 May 1998.

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  Ehrenstein, David. “More than Friends: How Sitcoms Became the New Gay Art Form.” Los Angeles Magazine, May 1996.

  Esterly, Glenn. “A Tale of Two Comics.” TV Guide, 16 December 1995.

  “Family Members Hold Private Memorial for Hartmans.” CNN, 5 June 1998.

  Fantle, David and Thomas Johnson. “The Many Faces of Phil Hartman.” Canadian CIGAR Lifestyles, Spring 1998.

  Fitzpatrick, Robert. “The Olympic Arts Festival.” Festival Program, Summer 1984.

  Fleming, Charles. “Death in the Valley.” TV Guide, 18 July 1998.

  Fowler, James E. “A Lady and Her Ukulele: ‘Saturday Night Live’ Veteran Victoria Jackson Will Perform Songs from Her New Album at Pages.” Los Angeles Times, 24 February 1995.

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  Freeman, John. “‘NewsRadio’s’ McNeal Livin’ It up as Despicable Cad.” San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 March 1996.

  Fretts, Bruce. “Tuesday Night Comedy Club.” Entertainment Weekly, 31 March 1995.

  Froelich, Janis D. “Saturday Night Lives: Current Cast Is as Good as Originals of 15 Years Ago.” St. Petersburg Times, 29 September 1989.

  “Frosty Phil.” Smoke Magazine, Winter 1996.

  “‘Funniest Man on TV’ Spoofs Commercials.” Associated Press, 30 September 1992.

  Galle, Deborah. “Movie Magic Wears Thin on Some: Filming of ‘Houseguest’ in Sewickley Area Has Some Merchants Angry, Others Amused.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 29 June 1994.

  Gamble, Susan. “Doris Hartmann Dies of ‘Broken Heart.’” Brantford Expositor, April 2001.

  ———. “Festival Honours Hartman.” Brantford Expositor, 20 May 2000.

  ———. “For Phil’s Family, Gala Mixes Joy and Sorrow.” Brantford Expositor, 14 July 2000.

  ———. “Hartman: A Really Nice Guy.” Brantford Expositor, 29 May 1998.

  ———. “Hartmania!: Phil Hartman’s Homecoming.” Brantford Expositor, 26 July 1997.

  ———. “Media Descends on City for Hartman Story.” Brantford Expositor, 29 May 1998.

  ———. “On Our Walk of Fame: City Honors Hillier, Jarvis and Hartman.” Brantford Expositor, 24 July 1997.

  ———. “Stars Come out to Honor Hartman.” Brantford Expositor, 14 July 2000.

  Garchik, Leah. “An Hour with Phil Hartman.” San Francisco Chronicle, 10 August 1998.

  “Gary Essert, 54, Dies; Film Festival Founder.” New York Times, 18 December 1992.

  Gendel, Morgan. “Another Groundling Hops to ‘SNL’” Los Angeles Times, 30 September 1986.

  ———. “Lorne Michaels: Live from New York—Again.” New York Times, 7 September 1985.

  ———. “Olympic Festival’s First Gold.” Los Angeles Times, 11 April 1984.

  Gertler, T. “The Pee-wee Perplex.” Rolling Stone, 12 February 1987.

  Groening, Matt. “Phil Hartman (1948–1998).” Simpsons Comics 37, June 1998.

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  Haddad, Dana. “Branham Gets Ball and Cameras Rolling.” Los Angeles Times, 16 September 1993.

  Hamilton, Nancy. “What Is a Groundling?” L.A. Weekly, 6–12 July 1979.

  Harmetz, Aljean. “Olympic Arts Festival Opens in L.A.” New York Times, 2 June 1984.

  “Hartman on ‘SNL’ Split: ‘I Got off the Titanic’” Chicago Tribune, 17 April 1995.

  Hartmann, Paul, and Ben Kaplan. “First Person: A Brother’s Quest to Enshrine Phil Hartman on Canada’s Walk of Fame.” National Post, 26 March 2010.

  “Hartman’s Departure Spawns Variety Show.” Tribune Media Services, 31 July 1994.

  “Hartman’s Friends, Fans Ask: ‘What Went Wrong?’” CNN, 29 May 1998.

  “Hartman Reflects on Loss, Life.” Catholic News Service, May 1998.

  “Hartman’s Wife Reportedly Confessed.” Associated Press, 29 May 1998.

  Hiestand, Jesse. “Hartman Children Attend Memorial.” Los Angeles Daily News, 5 June 1998.

  Howell, Peter. “Jingle All the Way (review).” Toronto Star, 22 November 1996.

  I Ching Classic of Changes: The answers to many questions. The-iching.com 2005–13.

  James, Christine. “Phil-osophy.” Sneak Preview, Autumn 1996.

  Johnson, Reed. “Comedic Career Seemed on Verge of the Big Time.” Los Angeles Daily News, 29 May, 1998.

  Johnson, Ted and Janet Weeks. “Phil Hartman: Many Voices, Many Laughs.” TV Guide, 13 June 1998.

  Johnson, Tom and David Fantle. “Reel to Real: Phil Hartman.” Hollywood Online, 29 September 1997.

  Karp, David. “Malibu Cuts the Tape.” Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2000.

  Kaufman, Joanne. “Grodin Goes for the Gags.” Chicago Tribune, 15 May 1986.

  Kay, Laura Smith. “Phil Hartman.” People Online, 28 May 1998.

  Klein, Joe. “A Postmodern President.” Newsweek, 17 January 1994.

  Kroll, Jack. “Champion Drama.” Newsweek, 2 July 1984.

  Kushman, Rick. “‘Night’ Was the Life.” Scripps-McClatchy Western Service, 7 March 1997.

  Lloyd, Robert. “Live from the ’80s, It’s ‘Saturday Night’” Los Angeles Times, 11 November 2005.

  Lowell, Sondra. “Groundlings ‘Hazard’ at Full Length.” Los Angeles Times, 8 June 1984.

  Mahoney, John C. “The Groundlings Unveil ‘Revue,’” Los Angeles Times, 27 April 1979.

  Marder, Keith. “At Home with TV’s Phil Hartman.” Los Angeles Daily News, 6 April 1997.

>   Marion, Michael-Allan. “Hartman Gala Turns Brantford Into … Comedy Central.” Brantford Expositor, 14 July 2000.

  Mashberg, Tom. “As Clinton Goes, so Goes Phil Hartman; The Transition.” Boston Globe, 29 November 1992.

  “Maybe He Can Learn Hillary.” Newsweek, 16 November 1992.

  McDaniel, Mike. “Phil Hartman Brings Back the Titanic on ‘NewsRadio’” Houston Chronicle, 11 May 1998.

  McKay, Gardner. “The Groundlings Leave Ground.” Los Angeles Herald Examiner, April 1979.

  Melton, Mary. “Comedy Central: Will Ferrell, Lisa Kudrow, Phil Hartman, Laraine Newman, Pee-wee Herman: Before They Became Household Names, They Were Groundlings, Members of L.A.’s Great Improv Company, Which Celebrates Its 30th Birthday This Month.” Los Angeles Magazine, 1 October 2004.

  Mooney, Joshua. “When a Movie Star Dies.” Toronto Star, 10 June 1998.

  Moore, Solomon, Greg Braxton and T. Christian Miller. “Murder-suicide Claims Actor, Wife.” Los Angeles Times, 29 May 1998.

  Moss, Stanley. “Interview with Phil Hartman.” Bomb, Winter 1991.

  The Movie Guys. “10 Questions with Phil Hartman.” Scope, 30 May 1998.

  Newton, Jim, T. Christian Miller and Solomon Moore. “Final Hours of Hartmans Detailed by Police Sources.” Los Angeles Times, 30 May 1998.

  “Obituary: Rupert Hartmann.” April 1998.

  O’Neill, Ann W. and Andrew Blankstein. “Police Release 911 Tape in Phil Hartman Case.” Los Angeles Times, 3 June 1998.

  O’Neill, Ann W. “Hartman Had Made Wife Sole Beneficiary.” Los Angeles Times, 3 June 1998.

  “Pakistan Reportedly Detonates Nuclear Devices.” CNN.com, 28 May 1998.

  “Pfizer Slapped with Suit over Actor’s Death.” American Druggist, 216.7, 1999.

  Phillips, Michael. “Thanks for the Side-splitting Memories.” Los Angeles Times, 27 September 1999.

  Proudfit, Scott. “Phil Hartman: Tragic Irony.” Backstage West/DramaLogue, June 1998.

  Quill, Greg. “Second Civil War a Classic TV Tragicomedy.” Toronto Star, 14 March 1997.

  “Remembering Phil Hartman.” Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 1998.

  Rensin, David. “The Playboy Interview: Lorne Michaels.” Playboy, 1 March 1992.

  Reuters, Canadian Press, and Associated Press. “Hartman Killed.” 29 May 1998.

  Riccardi, Nicholas. “The Damage Undone: Neighbors Who Lost Homes Together Break Ground to Reclaim Their Former Lives.” Los Angeles Times, 23 May 1995.

  Rice, Darcy. “100 Flavors of Vanilla.” Orange Coast, August 1996.

  Rohan, Virginia. “Hail to the Chief: NBC Pays Tribute to Phil Hartman, Sketch Player without Peer.” The Record [Bergen County, NJ], 12 June 1998.

  ———. “Out of the Bottle—Along with Many Amusing Characters, Phil Hartman of ‘NewsRadio’ Unleashes the Rare Exception.” The Record [Bergen County, NJ], 24 February 1998.

  Romano, Lois. “A New Life for Phil, as Bill.” The Washington Post, 28 April 1993.

  Rosenthal, Phil. “Savvy ‘NewsRadio’ a Hit Waiting to Happy.” Los Angeles Daily News, 6 March 1996.

  Russell, Candice. “Silly ‘Houseguest’ Wears out Welcome.” Sun-Sentinel [Broward and Palm Beach, Florida], 6 January 1995.

  Ryan, Mike. “The Movieline Interview: Jon Lovitz.” 22 December 2010.

  Sarkisian-Miller, Nola. “A Posh Spot North of the Boulevard.” Los Angeles Times, 12 November 2006.

  Schwed, Mark. “In Phil’s Spirit.” TV Guide, 26 October 1998.

  Scott, Cathy. “A Mother’s Day Present, Live from NY.” The Vista Press, May 1992.

  “7551 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA: Thee Experience: Performance List March–December” 1969. Rock Archaeology 101, 1 November 2010.

  Smith, Chris. “Comedy Isn’t Funny.” New York, 13 March 1995.

  Smith, Reginald. “Simi Valley to Exact Toll for Filming Its Scenery.” Los Angeles Times, 24 December 1986.

  Snierson, Dan. “Man of a Thousand Voices.” Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 1998.

  “‘SNL’ Co-star Looking for Studio.” Tribune Media Services, 9 October 1991.

  Span, Paula. “Passing the (Blow) Torch.” TV Guide, January 1993.

  Staff. “No Raise … no Big Deal.” Houston Chronicle, 11 May 1998.

  Staff. “People and Places.” The Baltimore Sun, 15 September 1998.

  Stein, Joel. “The Most Happy Fella.” Time, 8 June 1998.

  Sterngold, James. “Comedian Phil Hartman Is Shot to Death in His Home.” New York Times, 29 May 1998.

  Strickler, Jeff. “Nice Guy Phil Hartman Loves Playing Weasels.” Minneapolis Star Tribune, 26 November 1996.

  Surovell, Hariette. “Interview with Andy Dick.” Cover, Summer 1999.

  ———. “You Don’t Know Dick.” Salon.com, 22 September 1998.

  Tansey, Joel. “Honoring a Brother.” Brantford Expositor, 24 May 2008.

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  Thompson, Bob. “The Jerky Guy.” Jam Showbiz, 1 December 1996.

  ———. “‘No Spikes, No Sudden Downfalls’: Slow and Steady Wins the Race for Phil Hartman.” Associated Press, 22 August 1995.

  Thompson, Charles G. “My Restaurant Stories: Los Angeles in the ’80s.” 100 Miles.com, 4 August 2010.

  Tresniowski, Alex. “Beneath the Surface.” People, 15 June 1998.

  “2 Boroughs May Host Disney ‘Houseguest’” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 19 April 1994.

  Vancheri, Barbara. “Comedian Sinbad Is the City’s ‘Houseguest.’” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 9 May 1994.

  ———. “Hartman, Sinbad Play It for Laughs in ‘Houseguest.’” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 28 May 1994.

  ———. “Remembering a Most Welcome Guest in Our City.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 30 May 1998.

  Van Derbeken, Jaxon, and Tyra Lucile Mead. “Comic Phil Hartman Slain in L.A./Wife Blamed in Murder-Suicide.” San Francisco Chronicle, 29 May 1998.

  Waters, Rob. “My Antidepressant Made Me Do It!” Salon.com, 19 July 1999.

  Weinstein, Alisa and Jamie DeLange. “Woman on the Verge.” Us, August 1998.

  Wilkinson, Peter. “Who Killed Pee-wee Herman?” Rolling Stone, 3 October 1991.

  Wilner, Norman. “Phil Hartman 1948–1998.” Toronto Star, 4 July 1998.

  WEB SITES

  The Saturday Night Live Archives: http://snl.jt.org

  Saturday Night Live Transcripts: http://snltranscripts.jt.org

  Saturday Night Live episodes and clips: Hulu.com, Netflix.com, NBC.com (now only on Yahoo.com)

  AUDIO/VIDEO

  A&E Biography: Phil Hartman. April 12, 2004.

  Audio recording of Hartmann family meeting with LAPD Robbery/Homicide detective Dave Martin. July 23, 1998.

  Audio recording of tribute to Phil Hartman at Paramount Theatre, Los Angeles. July 14, 1998.

  Chick Hazard at Groundlings Theatre, private video collection, December 1983.

  E! True Hollywood Story: Phil Hartman. September 6, 1998.

  Headliners and Legends: Phil Hartman, NBC. June 15, 2000.

  The Howard Stern Interview: Phil and Brynn Hartman, E! Entertainment, November 27, 1992.

  Late Night with Conan O’Brien, NBC. November 1996.

  The Late Show with David Letterman, various clips, CBS. Early through mid-1990s.

  Later with Bob Costas, NBC. February 14, 1992.

  Later with Greg Kinnear, NBC. March 2, 1994.

  Lovitz, Jon. Second City Presents … with Bill Zehme. Directed by John Davies. Brad Gray Television and John Davies Prods. Bravo TV, 2002.

  NewsRadio: The Complete Series (Seasons 1 through 5), 1995–99.

  Marin, Britten. Private home video collection. Early through mid-1990s.

  The Pee-wee Herman Show: Live from the Sunset Strip’s Roxy Theatre, Reubens-Callner Prod. 1981.

  Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Season 1 (six episodes), 1986. Paul R
eubens/Herman World Inc.

  Phil Hartman’s Flat TV. Electric Paintbox, 1989, 2002.

  The Simpsons. Select episodes (seasons 2 through 9), 1990–98.

  SNL Collection: The Best of Phil Hartman. Broadway Video/NBC Home Entertainment.

  SNL Collection: The Best of Dana Carvey. Broadway Video/NBC Home Entertainment.

  SNL Collection: The Best of Jon Lovitz. Broadway Video/NBC Home Entertainment.

  OTHER SOURCES

  Autopsy Report, Brynn Hartman, Los Angeles Department of Coroner, 29 May 1998.

  Autopsy Report, Phil Hartman, Los Angeles Department of Coroner. 29 May 1998.

  California State University, Northridge, academic records.

  Certificate of Death—Brynn Hartman, County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services. 2 June 1998.

  Certificate of Death—Phil Hartman. County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services. 2 June 1998.

  Contract between NBC Entertainment and Phil Hartman for written contributions to Saturday Night Live. 14 November 1985.

  Court records. Hartman, Philip Edward vs. Change Name, September 21, 1992.

  Court records. Los Angeles Superior Court. Hartmann, Philip Edward vs. Strain Lisa Lynn, November 14, 1984.

  Federal Aviation Administration, Airmen Certification Branch.

  Forensic Laboratory Analysis Report. May 29, 1998.

  GSR (gunshot residue) Data Sheet, Forensic Science Center, County of Los Angeles, 28 May 1998.

  Inventory and Appraisal: Estate of Philip Edward Hartman, Superior Court of California—Los Angeles. 31 August 1998.

  Investigator’s Report—Los Angeles Department of Coroner. 28 May 1998.

  Investigatory records, Los Angeles Police Department. 28 May 1998 to 14 April 1999.

  Letters from Doris Hartmann to Phil Hartman. Circa 1985.

  Letters, notes—private collection of Lisa Jarvis. 1981–84.

  Letters—private collection of John S. Holloway. 1968–69.

  Phil Hartman ash scattering ceremony, private video collection. 24 September 1998.

  Santa Monica College, Admissions and Records.

  Toxicology Report for Brynn Hartman, Los Angeles Department of Coroner. 8 June 1998.

  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Los Angeles, CA.

  Will of Philip Edward Hartman. 11 March 1996.

  Yearbooks: Orville Wright Junior High and Westchester High, 1962–66.