Farewell to a Funny Man

Actor-comedian Phil Hartman was apparently shot to death by his wife, Brynn, in a murder-suicide in Encino on May 28. Here in America Online’s LA Forum chat room, members react.

brondeno: He was my favorite comedian on TV. He made me laugh every time I saw him. It’s a shame he had to die like this. I can watch the Anal Retentive Chef over and over again and laugh hysterically every time.

amarakk: I will always miss his last notable comic line “OH, YEAH!�

suzzie1: why did this lady do it? and why with her kids there? i say if you really hate the guy, just leave!

julies: I was sitting at home, watching the news, when my dad tells me he’s gone. Initially shock overcame me, as first Jennings then Rather repeat the same story. I think he was one of the few actors I really respected. He always had the sense how to touch one’s heart, with his impressions, animations and his voice.

amarakk: What will “News Radio� be without him? I have to believe that you are looking down from Heaven, and seeing how much you are already missed. . . . What else was he on?

kiddcreol: “Saturday Night Live.� He did voices for “Dennis the Menace,� several characters on “The Simpsons� and tons of movies.

blkrialto: I remember him in “Houseguest� and “Coneheads.� I think he will be in “Small Soldiers� this summer.

JL Kid: what type of women would do this?

adavis101: It was suspected her not kicking a drug habit and him leaving her for another woman.

blkrialto: I bet they will link this to O.J. Simpson. She was blond.

deni68: She had to have real problems.

ELane40397: The poor kids have to go through life knowing that mom killed dad.

MMr1156: They will always have to live with it, and their lives will be difficult.

BunnyGrls: They will always grow up under the stigma of Murder/suicide parents.

TDNort: Watch the tv movie. LOL.

Cccwest: Some people hid their sadness behind comedy.

MePossum: I wonder if we will ever really know what happened since both people are now dead.

LvCoolBG: Funny that he and Sinatra died a week apart.

blkrialto: This brings us to the topic of gun control. IF WE HAD LESS GUNS IN THE WORLD THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN HARD TO HAVE HAPPENED. DO NOT OWN GUNS!!!

Positiveout: Kids bringing guns to school is even more scary.

davis101: Rialto is right. We need less guns. Great topic to face in the gubernatorial race.

Heremeow: If I was in the cast of SNL I’d retire at this point!

blkrialto: The media is snooping more and more. I wouldn’t want the success. Your watched like Jim Carrey’s character “Truman.�

denise780: i was saddened to hear of this latest tragedy. “Saturday Night Live� has filled many late Saturday nights with laughter. May Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Chris Farley, Andy Kaufman and Phil Hartman all rest in peace.

--Compiled by AARON DAVIS