September 24, 1992. Brynn, who was under the . Brynn reportedly drank two Cosmopolitans (vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice) over two hours and didnt talk about any problems, said Zander. He was 49. Phil Hartman was best known as a beloved comedian on Saturday Night Live, but his life was cut short after the tragic murder committed by his wife on the night of May 28, 1999. The "Saturday Night Live" star was killed by his wife Brynn Omdahl, who battled with substance abuse, in their Los Angeles home in 1998. Encino, California. Police on the scene theorized Brynn murdered Phil with a .38 following a violent argument and then turned the gun on . Comedian Jon Lovitz has accused fellow comedian Andy Dick of reintroducing Brynn to cocaine. He died instantly. . America was shocked to see the headlines about how Phil Hartman's wife shot him dead in a grisly murder-suicide. He was married for a brief time between 1970 and 1972, then again from 1982 to 1985. Off-screen, Hartman was popular among his Hollywood colleagues and known for being completely different from some of the more unlikable characters he had portrayed. After working with Reubens on the hit film PeeWees Big Adventure, he was hired as both a writer and performer at Saturday Night Live in 1986 alongside some of the shows most high-profile performers such as Dana Carvey, Kevin Nealon, and Jan Hooks. Friends on both sides of the couple claimed each partner eventually wanted out, and things had reportedly grown volatile at times and icy at other times by the late 90s. , A post shared by BIRGEN HARTMAN (@birgen). On May 28, 1961, the British newspaper The London Observer publishes British lawyer Peter Benensons article The Forgotten Prisoners on its front page, launching the Appeal for Amnesty 1961a campaign calling for the release of all people imprisoned in various parts of the read more, U.S. troops abandon Ap Bia Mountain. Both Birgen Anika Hartman and Sean Edward Hartman live a quiet, low profile life out of the spotlight most of the time, but they do their best to keep their dads memory alive. Phil and Brynn Hartman were married in 1987. Phil Hartman was a Southern Californian in the 1960s when he discovered comedy. According to Jon Lovitz, Brynn relapsed the night of that Christmas party - with cocaine supplied by Andy Dick. He was king of the Groundlings.'. He moved to New York and worked as a manual laborer and journalist read more, Irene Caras song Flashdance (What a Feeling), from the Flashdance movie soundtrack, goes to the top of the U.S. pop charts on May 28, 1983. When acting parts didn't happened for her and he became successful, she grew bitter, jealous, and . In September of 2018, she married her husband, Brandon, in a beautiful ceremony in Italy. Would love your thoughts, please comment. En route, also know the detailed story of Phil Hartmans wife, Brynn Hartman; her early life, parents, siblings, career, the tragic relationship, and further. Source: Daily Mail. She was the daughter of Donny, a former engineer who later became a partner in the Lantern, a popular Thief River Falls restaurant. How Did Brynn Meet Her Husband Phil Hartman? The wills also specified cremation requests from the Small Soldiers actor. Mrs. Hartman grew up in a family of four children though only two of her siblings are known, Katherine Omdahl and Gregory Omdahl. A naturally shy person who was educated and had a successful run as a graphic designer, Hartman transitioned to comedy after volunteering to go on stage during a performance by the iconic Groundlings troupe in L.A. I never saw an audience member come up with that kind of excitement and energyit was like a hurricane hit that stage, and I mean in a good way, Tracy Newman, a comedian and founding member of The Groundlings, told ABC years later. A Coroners van transports the bodies of Phil Hartman and his wife from their home. Where is Phil Hartmans Brother-in-Law Now. Brynn had been in and out of rehab by late May 1998, trying to kick the addiction to the drugs and alcohol that, when mixed with her antidepressants, triggered violent outbursts. He additionally worked with The Groundlings and on shows like Captain Carl and The Pee-Wee Herman Show. Despite all of his on-screen success, Hartman's personal life proved to be more difficult. She, however, relapsed after nearly a decade of sobriety within the first year of marriage. May 1984. He also appeared in films such as Death to Smoochy and The Hartman Conspiracy. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicPhil Hartman and his wife Brynn Omdahl Hartman at an HBO event in 1998. He is best known as the cast member of the comedy show SNL. Upon their parents' deaths, Sean and Birgen, then 9 and 6 years old, respectively, were sent to live with their maternal aunt and her husband, Katharine and Mike Wright, in Wisconsin. His wife was found lying on her back, in a two-piece pajama set. He proved not just energetic but a natural showman and brilliant writer; he helped create the Pee-wee Herman character with Paul Reubens and co-wrote the screenplay to its first movie, Pee-wees Big Adventure. She did too much cocaine,. On May 28, 1998, the comedian and actor Phil Hartman, famous for his work on Saturday Night Live and NewsRadio, is shot to death by his wife, Brynn, in a murder . ; Photo: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images, Flowers outside the Hartman's home the day after the murder-suicide; Photo: John Chapple / Contributor, Idaho Murders: What Led Police to Bryan Kohberger, helped create the Pee-wee Herman character, shot Hartman multiple times in the head and chest, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. When they went to the bedroom, they found the bloodied Hartman on the bed and Brynn, with a single gunshot to her head, next to him. Brynn met Phil in 1986 when she was working as a Catalina swimsuit model. On May 27, 1998, Hartman and Brynn argued, and then the actor went to bed. The children initially stayed with Hartmans brother John, a Los Angeles record-company executive. Today, Sean is 33 years old. Tom Foster 5 years ago. But their relationship was bumpy from the get-go.. To shield them from the media and allow them to grow up in relative obscurity, they were raised under a . Phil Hartman In The Groundlings. Los Angeles. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/comic-phil-hartman-killed-by-wife. Inside Phil Hartman's Tragic and Shocking Death, David Mcgough/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images, Phil Hartman; Photo: Dave Bjerke/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank, "Saturday Night Live" cast photo in 1993. To protect them from the media and allow them to grow up in relative obscurity, they ended up having a different last names. Others claimed it was Hartman who wanted out. Brynn allegedly wrote her back four pages of the most hideous vitriol one could imagine. Hartman's death on May 28, 1998 at the age of 49 was a shock to many in the entertainment world. (Front row L-R): Rob Schneider, David Spade and Melanie Hutsell; (Back row L-R): Phil Hartman, Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Julia Sweeney, Ellen Cleghorne, Mike Myers and Adam Sandler. Whatever the cause of Brynn's outburst, the result was the death of two people and the loss of an . Both Birgen Anika Hartman and Sean Edward Hartman live a quiet, low profile life out of the spotlight most of the time, but they do their best to keep their dad's memory alive. The bullet Brynn used was reportedly lodged into the wooden . 4 4.Inside Phil Hartman's Tragic and Shocking Death - Biography; 5 5.Where Are Murdered 'SNL' Cast Member Phil Hartman's Kids Now; 6 6.Elvira Tried to Talk Phil Hartman out of Marrying His Murderer; 7 7.Phil Hartman's Ex-Wife Brynn Hartman: Truth About The Mysterious 8 8.The Life And Tragic Death Of Phil Hartman . With their two children in the house, on May 28, 1998, Hartman's wife, Brynn, shot and killed him while he was sleeping in their home. .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Saturday Night Live has produced far too many legendary comedy actors and long, fruitful careers to lend its title to any kind of curse, but the iconic variety sketch series has seen tragedy befall a fair number of its alumni. After killing her husband, Brynn had gone to an ex-lovers home, later named as Ron Douglas. What Happened to "Phil Hartman"? Web posted at: 5:02 p.m. EDT (2102 GMT) LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Comedic actor Phil Hartman and his wife, Brynn, were found shot to death Thursday in their Los Angeles home in what . Brynn Omdahl moved to Los Angeles in her 20s with dreams of becoming a model and actress. Page Six quoted Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada as saying, Jon picked Andy up by the head and smashed him into the bar four or five times, and blood started pouring out of his nose. They married a year later in 1987. Birgen, on the other hand, who now is 30, graduated from the University of St. Thomas. He went on to star in numerous movies and TV shows . Phil Hartman's brother-in-law breaks his silence 20 years after his sister shot the comedian in the head then killed herself in cocaine-fueled murder suicide. The late-model/actress friends said her frustration stemmed from Phils demanding work schedule. The two were known to fight and threats were sometimes made and friends and family of Hartman were often not shy about the fact that they found Omdahl to be an unsettling presence. Early life. May 29, 1998 12 AM PT. Phil Hartman had been a successful comedian and actor who found fame working on Saturday Night Live. Following the shooting, Brynn fled the scene. The cause of his death shook up the world even more. Then, see the heartbreaking pictures from the scene of music legend Kurt Cobains suicide. While Hartmans wife appeared in a few swimsuit campaigns, her on-screen career never took off. On May 28, 1998, the comedian and actor Phil Hartman, famous for his work on Saturday Night Live and NewsRadio, is shot to death by his wife, Brynn, in a murder-suicide. It was then in 1985 that Phil Harman met Brynn Omdahl, the woman who would become his third wife and, ultimately, his killer. And Jeannie Petersen, a childhood friend of Brynns who stayed in touch with her, says Brynn wanted out of the marriage. Twitter . Photo: Jeff Kravitz (modified by author) Source: Getty Images. Comic actor Phil Hartman and his wife, Brynn Hartman left their estate _ estimated at $1.23 million _ to their two orphaned children. Phil Hartman was murdered by his wife Brynn at their L.A. home in May 1998 ; . John added how there is no one to hate and no one to blame. Meanwhile, Hartman not only voiced Lionel Hutz in The Simpsons, but also Troy McClure. On 29th May 1998 night, Americans were shaken upon learning the gruesome details of SNL and News radio personality, Phil Hartman's death. Sean Hartman keeps an even lower profile than his sister. May 28, 1998. The one-time documentary actress put the gun to her mouth before pulling the trigger. He could do any voice, play any character, make his face look different without makeup. The arrival of the LAPD heralded the beginning of the end. Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty ImagesSeason 18 Press Conference Pictured: (back row l-r) Adam Sandler, David Spade, Ellen Cleghorne, Kevin Nealon, Phil Hartman, Tim Meadows (2nd row) Chris Rock, Julia Sweeney, Dana Carvey, Rob Schneider (front row l-r) Chris Farley, Al Franken, Melanie Hutshell. What Happened Between Phil Hartman And His Wife? Its caption was: as another fathers day comes to an end, I remind myself that no matter what, Im very fortunate to have had a number of great father figures in my life. The couple lived in the Encino-section of Los Angeles. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Idaho Murders: What Led Police to Bryan Kohberger, Adnan Syed: A Complete Timeline of His Trial, Appeal and Killing of Hae Min Lee. Greg said he told her she needed to go to rehab and had also talked her into going through treatment. Phil Hartman was a comedian, actor, screenwriter, and graphic designer. With the authorities closing in, Brynn locked herself in the bedroom, sat next to the husband shed slain, and called her sister. Both Hartmans kept guns in their home and, oftentimes, Brynn Hartman would pick fights before bed. On May 28, 1998, Phil Hartman died at the age of just 49 when his wife Brynn Omdahl Hartman murdered him inside their Los Angeles home before killing herself. Bilko (opposite . After calling the police, Douglas grabbed Sean from his bed and took him outside. At that time, Lovitz said Brynn Hartman had been sober for ten years. Brynn . In 2016, she posted a picture of Phil on her Instagram for Fathers Day. The celebrated comedian was shot dead by his spouse before using the same weapon to kill herself. He was the actor [and] entertainer, and then he was the recluse.. Season 18 Press Conference Pictured: (back row l-r) Adam Sandler, David Spade, Ellen Cleghorne, Kevin Nealon, Phil Hartman, Tim Meadows (2nd row) Chris Rock, Julia Sweeney, Dana Carvey, Rob Schneider (front row l-r) Chris Farley, Al Franken, Melanie Hutshell. The following is an excerpt from MIke Thomas' new book, You Might Remember Me: The Life and Times of Phil Hartman ( St. Martin's Press . His character on NewsRadio was said to have suffered a heart attack, and Hartmans longtime friend and former SNL colleague Jon Lovitz filled in for him during the shows fifth and final season. Id laugh and say, Who are you this week?. The couple welcomed their first, Sean Edward in 1989 and their second, Birgen Hartman in 1992. She told him that Hartman was gone for the evening and had left her a note saying hed be back later. However, to friends whod known the couple for years, Phil Hartmans death was a long time in the making. Mr. Hartman had been dead for a while. Facebook. The third wife of beloved TV comic actor Phil Hartman, who shot him dead in a murder-suicide in 1998, wrote a venomous four-page letter to his former wife threatening to 'rip [her] eyes out.' Birgen is the daughter of Phil and Bryn Hartman. Sean Edward Hartman is one of the celebrity children. Unlike his sister, sean has lived a low profile life since the death of their parents. The murder-suicide rocked Hollywood and many are still wondering why it had to happen. Over two decades later, fans are curious to know what happened to Phil Hartman's children. Get endless insights into the facts and speculations surrounding the tragedy, the potential motives of Brynn Hartman for killing Phil, each of the couples families perceptions of what happened, the aftermaths, and all. Fox) and 1996s Sgt. What I read said he was shot in bed. Dick, however, asserted he did not cause her to relapse. All That's Interesting is a Brooklyn-based digital publisher that seeks out stories that illuminate the past, present, and future. However, to friends who'd known the couple for years, Phil Hartman . Cassandra Peterson said, They fought a lot. Born in September of 1948 in Ontario, Canada, Phil Hartman was the fourth of eight children in a devout Catholic family. Fortunately for Sean and Birgen Hartman, they . The North actress used a .38-caliber handgun, one of several weapons Mr. Hartman kept in a safe in his home. Brynn, however, didnt specify what she wanted to be done with her ashes. killed the "NewsRadio" star was her secret lover -- and he's convinced she. Comic Phil Hartman killed by wife. It was then sometime before 3:00 AM that Brynn Hartman entered the bedroom where Hartman slept and shot him between the eyes, in the throat, and in the chest. Actor and Comedian Phil Hartman poses for a portrait in circa 1990. Subscribe. Greg Omdahl, the brother of Hartman's wife, Brynn Hartman, spoke to ABC News for the first time about the couple's relationship.READ MORE: https://abcn.ws/2m. Narayan Shankar, who goes by the name David, is a seasoned writer and editor, who has a passion for covering the entertainment industry. During Phil Hartmans tenure at the show, he created some of the programs most beloved characters and perfected some of his most uncanny impressions. Phil Hartman's wife kills herself after police arrive at their home: Part 9. Birgen Anika Hartman and her brother have a large net worth of $1.23 million from their father Phil combined assets, which was . Emmy-winner Phil Hartman, the versatile, smooth-talking performer of Saturday Night Live and the NBC sitcom NewsRadio, and his wife are dead, the victims of an apparent murder-suicide, Los Angeles police said. Though both Hartman kids stay mostly out of the spotlight, Brynn and Hartmans daughter did make an appearance at the SNL 40th Anniversary celebration in 2015. He went on to set a record for the most appearances (153) as one of the shows regulars. Full Bio, Career, Wife, With Interesting Facts, Who Is Jaimy Jackson? one-time documentary actress put the gun to her mouth before pulling the trigger, left their estate _ estimated at $1.23 million _ to their two orphaned children, Nieku Manshadi Bio: Everything About Elizabeth Lails Husband, Inside The Life Of Anna Hansen, Lance Armstrong Partner, Is Tomeka Thiam Really Akons Wife? Read More: Where is Phil Hartmans Brother-in-Law Now? On May 28th 1998, Hartman was murdered by his wife Brynn Hartman after the two argued over her repeated cocaine use. They will receive half the remaining balance when they turn 30 and the remainder when they turn 35. They both also inherited the entirety of Phil and Brynns estate. After a long night of drinking with a female companion, Brynn Hartman, wife of Saturday Night Live (SNL) star and comedian Phil Hartman, drives herself home and shots her husband three times at point-blank range. He apologized and we made up., Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. He was 49. I dont know what the problems were. Andrew Roane Dick (born Andrew Thomlinson; December 21, 1965) is an American comedian, actor, musician, and television and film producer.Known professionally as a comic, his first regular television role was on the short-lived but influential, Fox's The Ben Stiller Show.In the mid-1990s, he had a long-running stint on NBC's NewsRadio and was a supporting character on Less than Perfect. He was 49 years old. Birgen Anika Hartman was raised by her Maternal Aunt. Five months later, Brynn, high on cocaine, murdered her husband Phil before ending her own life. . Thankfully, neither kid was physically injured. And whats more is that their two kids, Birgen and Sean Hartman, were home on the eventful night they became orphans. The ensemble cast also included Dave Foley, Maura Tierney and Andy Dick. Inside His Career, Married Life, Wife & Much More, Bret Baiers Wife Amy Baier & Children: All The Good & Bad of Their Life, What Happened To Paul McCartneys Daughter Beatrice McCartney? Phil had also starred in such movies as 1994s Greedy (with Michael J. When police arrived on the scene of the murder, they found the couples then-9-year-old son, Sean, running out the front door of the home. Brynn was certainly beautiful, having moved to Los Angeles to work as a model and pursue an acting career. Phil Hartman is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and graphic designer. He was angry but concerned and moreover knew better than to try her temper, so he invited her into his home. After that, the Ontario-born actor tried to avoid his wife by simply going to sleep. little was known about what really happened. In 2015, Birgen attended the Saturday Night Live 40th anniversary celebration, to honor her father and his work on the show. but this dapper dude will always have my heart. What Was The Death Scene Of Phil Hartman And Brynn Hartman Like? 20/20 on ID is investigating a Hollywood murder-suicide from 1998 when famous actor and comedian, Phil Hartman, was murdered by his wife, Brynn Omdahl, in the middle of the night as he slept. Phil and Brynn Hartman had two children, 9-year-old Sean and 6-year-old Bergen. In 1990, on the heels of his successful performances on Saturday Night Live, Phil Hartman began to play various roles in another classic television show: The Simpsons. After she returned home, Brynn is said to have argued with Hartman. They were so impressed that they invited Hartman to join their traveling troupe as he took classes with them in L.A. Meanwhile, Ron had taken the gun from her and put it in his trunk and did not think that she had anymore. We talked afterward. It was a blind date. And while many comedians have been known for the dark personal lives lurking behind their humorous onscreen presence, Phil Hartmans story ultimately proved to be especially tragic. She had taken her spot next to Phil and shot herself in the head using a different gun than the one Douglas had earlier confiscated. On the way, she called and confessed to her friend Judy, who took her admission more seriously and booked it to the Hartman house. By 1974, when he addressed the United Nations, Arafat had made significant strides towards establishing new respectability for the PLOs campaign for a read more, In the first engagement of the French and Indian War, a Virginia militia under 22-year-old Lieutenant Colonel George Washington defeats a French reconnaissance party in southwestern Pennsylvania. When I met her, she was Vicki; then she became Vicki Jo, then Brindon and then Brynn. Phils wife died of a single gunshot wound to the head. Phil Hartman's daughter today is happily married. Lovitz told Philly Voice, Things came to a head with Andy. http://t.co/XNBdJfF6mn, In addition to drugs, Hartmans NewsRadio co-star, Joe Rogan, said in a 2014 interview, She was a failed actress who deeply resented [Phils] success, and as he became more and more successful, their relationship became more and more contentious.. After that, she did some modeling in Minneapolis before heading to California. Phil Hartman decided to leave "SNL" in 1994 after eight seasons on . Phil said he had to restrain her at times.". His own variety series failed to get off the ground, so he joined the cast of the sitcom NewsRadio, in which he played an arrogant and clueless radio news anchor. But just after the conclusion of what was going to be the show's fourth and final season, Hartman was murdered by his wife in his sleep in 1998. Untold Facts, Cacee Cobb Actor Donald Faisons Wife is Jessica Simpsons BFF, Inside The Life Of Kathie Lee Gifford Boyfriend Randy Cronk: His Marriage, Net Worth, Brynn Hartman Birthplace, Parents, Siblings. Vicki Jo Omdahl was born in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Donald Gene Omdahl and Constance Faye Omdahl (ne Arnold), and had a brother named Gregory Clark Omdahl and two sisters named Katherine Kelly Omdahl Wright and Debbie Omdahl Borreson. Tonight we are watching old SNL on Peacock. . By the time Phil Hartman left Saturday Night Live in 1994, there was no denying the fact that the tone of the show had begun to change thanks in part to the arrival of new cast members with particularly silly and absurd sensibilities like Adam Sandler and Chris Farley. At the private memorial service for the couple, Phil Hartmans brother John urged loved ones to be kind towards Brynn as they processed their grief. After the death of Brynn and her husband, their children ended up under the guardianship of Brynns sister Katherine and her husband Michael Wright in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Phil was the best part of the show, though. An hour later, after downing some more liquor, Brynn called her friend Ron Douglas in hysterics. This had normally worked in the beginning but not that night. The show was smartly written and a critical and commercial success, running for five seasons four of which included Hartman. Brynns ex-boyfriend then left the room to call the police. Douglas accompanied Brynn back to the Hartman family home, which the comedian had previously dubbed, The Ponderosa.. Also, she experienced more annoyance when her husband would show his withdrawn nature at home. She promptly collapsed on the living room floor. Her social media also indicates that Birgen struggled with drug addiction for a while. Brynn began to drink and abuse cocaine again. . Explaining the reason behind her constant name changing, a friend of hers who had known her since she was 19 remarked, She was always looking to find herself. So sad. ENCINO . Hartman joined the cast of the TV sitcom NewsRadio in 1995. https://www.comedyhype.com/ - SNL star Phil Hartman would win audiences over with his comedic style. . Earlier in the night, the comedy actor had reportedly threatened to leave his . A plastic surgeon who operated on Phils baby mother claims she was very insecure and wanted to be the perfect wife of a Hollywood actor. Former "Saturday Night Live" comic Phil Hartman was shot to death early Thursday, apparently by his wife, who killed herself as police . Not long after this, NewsRadio was renewed for a fifth season and immediately addressed Hartman's death in the Season 5 opener, "Bill Moves On". Instead, Brynn showed up at his front door about 20 minutes later, stinking of alcohol and hysterical. Belushi's trainer got there the next day and found his already lifeless body. And according to Los Angeles County medical examiner, Craig Harvey, Brynn Hartman did have a blood-alcohol level of 0.12, as well as cocaine and Zoloft in her system that night. Ann Summa/Getty ImagesPhil Hartman In The Groundlings. Los Angeles. Her brother, henceforth, sued Pfizer for wrongful death, claiming Zoloft was to blame for her killing Phil and then herself. By 16, Prinze was already using cocaine, and he took tons of Quaaludes, according toEntertainment Weekly. The pair were married a year later. The will further stated the Hartman children would each get a third of their inheritance when they reach age 25 or receive a bachelors degree from a four-year accredited university. Lisa is a real estate agent who was married to Phil, a Canadian-American actor who was born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. He told his fellow mourners the two were victims of the same accident. In 2015, Birgen attended the Saturday Night Live 40th anniversary celebration, to honor her father and his work on the show. May 28, 1998. As they were questioning a terrified Birgen out of the house, officers heard a gunshot inside. After the marriage, Brynn and Phil welcomed two children, Birgen Anika Hartman and Sean Edward Hartman. With their two children in the house, on May 28, 1998, Hartmans wife, Brynn, shot and killed him while he was sleeping in their home. . Hartman was also a regular on The Simpsons, giving voice to a stable of characters, including B-movie actor Troy McClure. Lovitz said Dick had given Brynn Hartman cocaine at a Christmas Party 1997 party in the Hartmans home, which led to her relapse. Hartman asked that his ashes be scattered over Santa Catalina Island's Emerald . She died by killing herself with a gun after shooting her husband as he slept. And this low self-esteem also led her to undergo several cosmetic surgeries. She also runs her own business according to her uncle, Greg Omdahl. He said Brynn was already in relapse mode, which he didnt even know she had a problem [with] at all in the first place. Omdahl would go on to file a lawsuit against Pfizer, the manufacturer, as well as the doctor who prescribed the drug to Brynn Hartman. The tragedy of Phil Hartman's death was mainly due to his wife's battle with substance abuse. Read on to discover the tragic story behind Hartman's death, which happened right at the peak of his comedy career. Hartman was a graphic designer, says Biography, who found his life's path changed when he volunteered to join the Groundlings on-stage in mid-performance. His company was successful, with Hartmans business helping to create over 40 album covers for various bands including Poco, America, as well as the logo for Crosby, Stills, and Nash. In 1994, Phil left SNL to turn his hand to film and join NewsRadio. Hartman was known for being low-key, sometimes to a fault. Hartman asked that his ashes be scattered over Santa Catalina Islands Emerald Bay. When Hartmans prior wife wrote them a note of congratulations after the birth of their son, for example, Brynn did not receive it graciously.