Hi I’m James Gurksnis. You might remember me from such blog posts as this one right here or such Toastmasters clubs as Greensburg Toastmasters.
Recently, the entertainment world marked the 25-year anniversary of the passing of actor Phil Hartman. Hartman was a regular on Saturday Night Live from 1986 until 1994, playing various characters and also a writer on the show. He has many voice acting credits to his name as well (not as many as Frank Welker but still very prolific). In my opinion, his best voice acting work took place on The Simpsons, where he mainly appeared as actor Troy McClure and disbarred attorney Lionel Hutz, but other characters as well. Lyle Lanley included.
In tonight’s blog, I’m going to discuss Phil through his work on The Simpsons because I’m more familiar there.
Perhaps the passing of Phil Hartman is one of the reasons why the Simpsons has gone downhill over the years. Hartman guest starred in 52 episodes of the show between 1991 and 1998. He also starred on NBC’s hit sitcom NewsRadio from 1995 to 1998.
One of the the best Simpsons episodes that Phil Hartman took part in was “A Fish Called Selma”. It’s a Troy McClure-centered episode that was developed to give Hartman a larger role on the show. In it, we learn more about the character’s backstory. Great musical numbers in it as well. At one point before Hartman passed, he expressed an interest in making a live action film about Troy McClure. He would have even bought the rights to make the film itself happen.
Hartman also starred in one of the show’s greatest episodes of all time, Marge vs. the Monorail, as conman Lyle Lanley (a parody of Harold Hill). The episode is a parody of The Music Man. Also appearing as himself was Leonard Nimoy 🖖.
Hartman had film roles in 1995 with Houseguest, alongside Sinbad. They would reunite for 1996’s Jingle All The Way. Other film credits include Coneheads and Sgt. Bilko (both starring another Saturday Night Live alum and one of the original cast members, Dan Aykroyd). He also appeared in commercials for McDonalds and 1-800 COLLECT (remember them?).
Hartman died on the morning of May 28, 1998, by homicide when he was fatally shot by his wife. As a result of Hartman’s passing, the Simpsons retired the Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure characters. They did the same with Mrs. Krabappel after Marcia Wallace died in October of 2013.
The Simpsons and the world is a less funnier place without you, Troy.
Stylish 🍒 