Biografie

The character Philip J. Fry on the animated sitcom Futurama (1999) is named for him.

Despite being known for playing boorish characters, he had a reputation as one of the nicest, most well-liked actors in Hollywood with many of his co-stars and directors describing him as a true professional and a joy to work with.

As a mark of respect, Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure, his characters on Die Simpsons (1989), were written out of the sitcom and have not been seen or mentioned since.

When Phil Hartman died on May 28, 1998, it was necessary to write into the storyline of the television series News Radio (1995) that his anchorman character Bill McNeal had died. When that episode was being filmed, the cast and crew had to stop and restart a number of times because they continually broke out in tears.

On his last appearance on Saturday Night Live (1975), his send off included him serenading Chris Farley. Both actors would die six months apart from each other.

I'm 49-years-old and I'm cautious of the fact that very few people in comedy have careers after age 50. I think there's a notion in our society, and it maybe valid, that people aren't as funny when they get older. It's a stigma still attached to the rebelliousness of youth. I do believe that sooner or later I'll get those great roles like Gary Sinise's part in Forrest Gump (1994) or Tommy Lee Jones' as Two-Face in Batman Forever (1995).

I started doing Clinton and then I was on the cover of TV Guide. I became... a household name... I didn't have to look for work any more. Work came to me.

I benefit from the Mr. Potato Head syndrome. Put a wig and a nose and glasses on me, and I disappear.

(On the 1991 arrest of Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman) for indecent exposure): The loss he took for what allegedly happened is the equivalent of somebody's getting 20 years for having a joint in their wallet.

I still don't speak to Paul Reubens. We just had a falling out and never put it back together.