Phil Hartman

Born 1948 · Age 77

Canadian–American comedian, actor, screenwriter and graphic designer best known for his work with The Groundlings, eight seasons on Saturday Night Live, voice roles on The Simpsons, and starring role on NewsRadio.

Total Events

Career Span

67 years

Peak Net Worth

$1,230,000

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Life & Career Timeline

1948Age 0

Born in Brantford, Ontario

Philip Edward Hartmann (later Hartman) born to Doris Marguerite (Wardell) and Rupert Loebig Hartmann.

9/24/1948Source

Confidence

100%

1958Age 10

Family emigrated to the United States

Hartman and his family moved from Brantford, Ontario to the U.S.; lived in Lewiston, Maine, then Meriden, Connecticut, then settled on the West Coast.

1/1/1958Source

Confidence

98%

1966Age 18

High school graduation (approx.)

Attended Westchester High School in Los Angeles and was a frequent class clown; approximate graduation year due to birth year.

1/1/1966Source

Confidence

60%

1966Age 18

Enrolled at Santa Monica City College (art studies)

Began college studies in art at Santa Monica City College (left before completing degree initially).

1/1/1966Source

Confidence

90%

1969Age 21

Dropped out to become a roadie

Left college in 1969 to work as a roadie with a rock band (bohemian period).

1/1/1969Source

Confidence

95%

1970Age 22

Married Gretchen Lewis

First marriage to Gretchen Lewis.

3/12/1970Source

Confidence

90%

1972Age 24

Returned to school at California State University, Northridge

Resumed studies in graphic arts at CSUN.

1/1/1972Net Worth: $2,000Source

Confidence

95%

1972Age 23

Divorced first wife Gretchen Lewis

Divorce finalized in September 1972.

9/19/1972Source

Confidence

90%

1974Age 26

Designed album cover for Poco — 'Seven'

Worked as a commercial/album cover graphic artist; credited on Poco's 1974 album.

1/1/1974Net Worth: $5,000Source

Confidence

85%

1975Age 27

Designed album covers for America (Hearts, History)

Created album artwork for America releases including 'Hearts' and the 'History: America's Greatest Hits' compilation.

1/1/1975Net Worth: $8,000Source

Confidence

85%

1975Age 27

Joined The Groundlings improv troupe (began evenings)

Started attending Groundlings classes and soon began performing; seeking a social outlet for comedic talents.

1/1/1975Net Worth: $10,000Source

Confidence

98%

1978Age 30

First onscreen film appearance — 'Stunt Rock' (1978)

Cameo/supporting appearance in Australian-directed film shot in LA.

1/1/1978Net Worth: $15,000Source

Confidence

95%

1979Age 31

Became a star member of The Groundlings

Formally joined the company and by 1979 was one of its performers and paid work included redesigning group's logo/merchandise.

1/1/1979Net Worth: $20,000Source

Confidence

95%

1980Age 32

Cameo in 'Cheech & Chong's Next Movie' (1980)

Small cameo appearance along with other Groundlings.

1/1/1980Net Worth: $25,000Source

Confidence

95%

1981Age 33

Voice/children's TV role — Captain Carl on 'Pee-wee's Playhouse'

Reprised Captain Carl on the children's TV series.

1/1/1981Net Worth: $32,000Source

Confidence

90%

1981Age 33

Appeared in 'The Pee-wee Herman Show' (HBO) as Captain Carl

Stage show with Paul Reubens recorded for HBO; Hartman played Captain Carl and contributed to Pee-wee's development.

1/1/1981Net Worth: $30,000Source

Confidence

95%

1982Age 34

Married Lisa Strain (Lisa Jarvis)

Second marriage, to real estate agent Lisa Strain (Jarvis).

12/18/1982Net Worth: $35,000Source

Confidence

95%

1984Age 36

Worked extensively as a voice actor on animated series

Provided voices in shows including The Smurfs, GoBots, The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo and Dennis the Menace in the 1980s.

1/1/1984Net Worth: $40,000Source

Confidence

90%

1985Age 36

Considered quitting acting but reconsidered after film success

Contemplated leaving acting at age 36; success of Pee-wee's Big Adventure changed his decision.

1/1/1985Net Worth: $60,000Source

Confidence

95%

1985Age 36

Co-wrote 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure' (1985)

Co-writer credit on Pee-wee Herman feature film and cameo as a reporter; success revived his acting ambitions.

1/1/1985Net Worth: $60,000Source

Confidence

97%

1986Age 38

Small film roles: 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' and 'Three Amigos!'

Appeared in multiple 1986 films in small roles.

1/1/1986Net Worth: $160,000Source

Confidence

95%

1986Age 38

Started writing screenplay 'Mr. Fix-It'

Began writing a horror-comedy screenplay; completed final draft in 1991 with Robert Zemeckis briefly attached as producer.

1/1/1986Net Worth: $160,000Source

Confidence

90%

1986Age 38

Joined Saturday Night Live (SNL) — Season 12

Successfully auditioned and became a cast member/writer on NBC's SNL beginning season that started Oct 11, 1986.

10/11/1986Net Worth: $150,000Source

Confidence

98%

1987Age 39

Primetime Emmy nomination (writing) for SNL

Nominated with SNL writing staff in 1987 for Outstanding Writing for a Variety program.

1/1/1987Net Worth: $180,000Source

Confidence

95%

1987Age 39

Married Brynn Omdahl

Third marriage to Brynn Omdahl (born Vicki Jo Omdahl); they met on a blind date the prior year.

11/25/1987Net Worth: $200,000Source

Confidence

90%

1988Age 40

Birth of son Sean Hartman

Phil and Brynn's first child, Sean Edward Hartman, was born in 1988.

1/1/1988Net Worth: $220,000Source

Confidence

98%

1989Age 41

Won Primetime Emmy Award (SNL writing)

Shared the 1989 Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program with SNL writers.

1/1/1989Net Worth: $400,000Source

Confidence

98%

1990Age 42

Joined voice cast of 'The Simpsons' (first appearance 1991 season 2)

Began frequent voice work for The Simpsons (first on-screen Simpsons credit 1991 'Bart Gets Hit by a Car'), eventually voicing Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz.

1/1/1990Net Worth: $450,000Source

Confidence

95%

1991Age 43

First credited Simpsons appearance ('Bart Gets Hit by a Car')

Originally a one-time role that expanded into recurring characters Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure.

1/1/1991Net Worth: $460,000Source

Confidence

98%

1991Age 43

Completed final draft of 'Mr. Fix-It' screenplay

Final draft completed; Robert Zemeckis signed to produce briefly but studio backing failed and project collapsed.

1/1/1991Net Worth: $470,000Source

Confidence

90%

1992Age 44

Birth of daughter Birgen Hartman

Second child of Phil and Brynn, Birgen, born in 1992.

1/1/1992Net Worth: $480,000Source

Confidence

98%

1993Age 45

Met President Bill Clinton (after performing his impression)

Met the real Bill Clinton in 1993 after becoming known for his Clinton impression; received a signed photo.

1/1/1993Net Worth: $520,000Source

Confidence

95%

1994Age 46

Left Saturday Night Live after eight seasons

Departed SNL in 1994 citing changes in the show's style and cast turnover.

1/1/1994Net Worth: $600,000Source

Confidence

98%

1994Age 46

NBC proposed 'The Phil Show' (cancelled before production)

Network initially promised Hartman his own variety–comedy show; later cancelled as variety shows fell out of favor.

1/1/1994Net Worth: $600,000Source

Confidence

90%

1995Age 47

Starred as Bill McNeal on 'NewsRadio' (joined cast)

Became one of the stars of NBC sitcom NewsRadio in 1995; signed on for ensemble role.

1/1/1995Net Worth: $750,000Source

Confidence

98%

1995Age 47

First starring film role in 'Houseguest' (1995)

Took a lead role opposite Sinbad in the comedy film Houseguest.

1/1/1995Net Worth: $770,000Source

Confidence

95%

1995Age 47

Earned substantial advertising fees — Slice commercials

Reportedly earned $300,000 for a series of four Slice soft-drink commercials (mid-1990s).

1/1/1995Net Worth: $900,000Source

Confidence

90%

1996Age 48

Major movie roles: 'Sgt. Bilko' and 'Jingle All the Way' released

Appeared in Sgt. Bilko and Jingle All the Way (1996) in supporting roles.

1/1/1996Net Worth: $940,000Source

Confidence

95%

1996Age 48

Reported per-episode pay on NewsRadio

Reported to make approximately $50,000 per episode of NewsRadio (mid-1990s figure).

1/1/1996Net Worth: $1,000,000Source

Confidence

90%

1997Age 49

Planned projects: live-action Troy McClure film & 'The Day of Swine and Roses'

Had plans and interest in producing a live-action Troy McClure film; slated to appear with Jon Lovitz in an indie film starting Aug 1998.

1/1/1997Net Worth: $1,050,000Source

Confidence

85%

1998Age 49

Multiple posthumous dedications and production changes

SNL special, NewsRadio and Simpsons episodes adjusted/retired characters; 3rd Rock episode scrapped out of respect.