Phil Hartman

Phil Hartman was an actor, comedian and writer who developed his sketch work with the Groundlings before joining Saturday Night Live in 1986. He spent eight seasons on SNL, playing original characters and impressions and sharing an Emmy for the show's writing. His versatility made him a regular presence across the ensemble's sketches. He left the cast in 1994.

Hartman also helped develop Pee-wee Herman's early stage world with Paul Reubens, played Captain Carl and co-wrote Pee-wee's Big Adventure. On television, he voiced Troy McClure and Lionel Hutz on The Simpsons and played news anchor Bill McNeal on NewsRadio. He died in 1998, leaving a career that linked stage sketch, live television, animation and sitcoms.