In a heartbreaking revelation, the brother-in-law of beloved comedian Phil Hartman has finally opened up about the star’s untimely death.
It has been 20 years since Hartman’s third wife, Brynn, shot him before taking her own life in their home.
This shocking incident has left a lasting impact on their family and the entertainment industry.
The tragedy occurred in 1998 when Brynn, under the influence of alcohol, cocaine, and the antidepressant Zoloft, fatally shot Phil in the head.
Greg Omdahl, Brynn’s brother, later filed a lawsuit against Pfizer, the manufacturer of Zoloft, claiming that the medication impaired her judgment.
As part of The Last Days of Phil Hartman, an ABC special dedicated to the couple’s tragic deaths, Omdahl spoke publicly for the first time about the devastating loss.
He described the news as a “gut punch” and expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of his sister and brother-in-law.
Greg shared, “Losing my sister, who was such a wonderful person, and my brother-in-law, who was equally wonderful, was incredibly difficult.
It felt like I had been punched in the gut because I knew my sister would never harm anyone.
It was an extremely tough reality to face.”
Phil and Brynn tied the knot in 1987 after meeting shortly after Phil’s second divorce.
At the time, Phil was already a rising star in the entertainment industry, having worked on shows like The Groundlings, Captain Carl, and The Pee Wee Herman Show.
In 1986, he joined Saturday Night Live (SNL) as a writer and producer, marking a significant turning point in his career.
Brynn, whose birth name was Vicki Jo, moved to Los Angeles from a small town in Minnesota with dreams of becoming an actress or model.
Although she appeared in a few swimsuit campaigns, her on-screen career never took off.
Unfortunately, Brynn developed a debilitating cocaine addiction that strained their relationship.
Despite their personal struggles, Phil and Brynn welcomed two children together, Sean and Birgen.
Omdahl emphasized that Brynn was a loving mother who cherished her family.
However, friends noticed concerning behavior patterns in her, including Phil’s second wife, Lisa, who received a threatening letter from Brynn after sending them a congratulatory card.
Phil’s work as a comedian also seemed to be affected by their marital issues.
Norman Bryn, his make-up artist on SNL, recalled witnessing a heated argument between the couple in Phil’s dressing room.
This incident prompted concerns from colleagues about the impact of their troubled relationship on his career.
In 1994, Phil left SNL to focus on film and joined the cast of NewsRadio.
Meanwhile, Brynn struggled to establish herself professionally and grew increasingly insecure.
According to Dawna Kaufmann, a close friend of the couple, Brynn had low self-esteem and worried about aging, especially as she approached her 40th birthday.
Omdahl acknowledged that Brynn battled anxiety but believed her mental health was improving.
He mentioned that both Phil and Brynn sought counseling and were committed to improving themselves for the sake of their relationship.
Andy Dick, a close friend and co-star on NewsRadio, revealed that he unknowingly gave Brynn cocaine at a Christmas party in 1997.
However, he was unaware of her addiction at the time.
d–k shared this information to shed light on the severity of Brynn’s struggles, which caused tension among the cast when the truth emerged.
On the fateful night of May 28, 1998, Brynn went out for drinks with a female friend before visiting a former lover’s house.
There, she complained about Phil and consumed alcohol.
According to Ron Douglas, her former lover, Brynn left his home around 12:45 a.m. Three hours later, she returned, confessing that she had “killed Phil.”
Douglas initially doubted her claims until he witnessed a gun falling out of her purse.
Together, they drove back to the couple’s home, with Douglas holding onto the gun in his trunk, believing it was the only one she had.
Upon arriving at the house, Douglas discovered Phil lying on their bed, having been shot three times, including once in the forehead.
While Douglas called 911, Brynn locked herself in the room and tragically took her own life using the same weapon.
The couple’s children, Sean and Birgen, who were present during the incident, were subsequently removed from the home and went to live with Brynn’s sister.
Omdahl filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Pfizer, alleging that Zoloft was responsible for Brynn’s actions.
He claimed that the medication impaired her judgment, leading her to shoot Phil before turning the gun on herself.
Pfizer ultimately settled the lawsuit for $100,000, and Zoloft remains available as a prescription antidepressant.
The ABC special also features a never-before-seen interview with Phil Hartman, conducted shortly before his tragic death.
In the interview, Phil reflects on the fragility of life, expressing gratitude for his blessings while acknowledging the vulnerability that comes with the unpredictability of the world.
The Last Days of Phil Hartman will air on ABC on Thursday, September 19 at 9pm ET, offering viewers a deeper understanding of the tragic events that unfolded and the lasting impact they have had on those close to the late comedian.
