Phil Hartman
Cast Member: 1986-1994
Favorite Characters: Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer, Bill Clinton, Frank Sinatra
Phil Hartman was simply known as “The Glue.” For eight years – a record at the time – he held the cast together and was the backbone of the show. Only Will Ferrell has come close to matching the selflessness and versatility exhibited by Hartman every week.
Hartman specialized in playing regular everyman-style characters. Every ensemble cast needs a utility player or two and Hartman was simply the best the show has ever produced. Throw in his spot-on impersonations and wildly inventive characters like “Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer,” and he has more than earned his place on this list.
And although he was a consummate team player, Hartman was also undeniably a star. Like Michael Jordon in his prime, Hartman not only was at the top of his personal game, he made those around him better.
filmography
Saturday Night Live – The Best of Phil Hartman
Pee-wee’s Playhouse #1 – Seasons 1 and 2
Small Soldiers
Houseguest
Tags: bill murray, eddie murphy, gilda radner, john belushi, mike myers, night live, phil hartman, saturday, snl, will ferrell
I see what you mean. I’d like to have Chris Farley on that list, but not bad enought to clear a spot for him. Good choices.
I agree with all of them but maybe a better judge of their talent: what are the top ten skits that endeared over the years?
A talented list, true, but the one adjustment I’d make would be replacing one of the actors with another actress for the sake of versatility. Whom to replace? Tough call, but I see Mike Myers getting the boot. In favor of whom? There’s the problem: SNL is much better at developing male stars. Jane Curtin or Jan Hooks seem the most likely choices.
I considered that, but in the end decided to judge solely on merit and impact to the show, rather than a quota system.
If I was to put another woman on, I’d probably go with Molly Shannon or Tina Fey before Curtin or Hooks — although Hooks was pretty damn funny.
It’s hard to take people off… I would love to add Dana Carvey, Steve Martin, Chris Farely or Martin Short… but I don’t know who I could take off. All I know for certain is the only funny thing on Saturday Night Live this season was the Chronic(what?)cles of Narnia. I really think the cast has suffered horribly.
Steve Martin was never a cast member.
Look it up.
Hmm it is hard to narrow down but I would have to say that I would dump Will Ferrell for Chris Farley anyday. Ferrell has his moments but Farley was something special, like Belushi those guys are once in an all too short lifetime.
I might also drop Gilda Radner for Dana Carvey.
Still its a funny group
I completely agree with you James. Ferrell had a lot of great moments, but Farley was one of a kind funny.
I would definately take off Will Farrell and flush him in the toilet. He is an unfunny creep that I imagine in my nightmares slowly trying to drive me insane.
I can’t believe nobody has mentioned Cheri Oteri! Not only does this list need more women… Cheri was CRAZY, but versatile. Anyone agree?
Great list, buddy. Phil Hartman never gets the credit he deserves. What a talent! I would have to say that I would drop Gilda for Cheri O’ teri as suggested, and I would definatley love Farley to be in there, but I couldn’t decide who to drop.
I’d cut Myers and Ferrell for Ackroyd and Curtin.
I would include Dan Akroyd over Mike Meyers
Will Farrell is fun, but still a light weight in the SNL pantheon of classics. Replace wih Dan Akroyd. Akroyd, as comedian AND writer, gave us memorable characters: The Blues Brothers; “Fred Garvin-Male Prostitute”; the Coneheads; Dick Nixon in 1975; Julia Child bleeding [a scene included in the recent movie "Julie and Julia"); Two "Wild-and-Crazy Guys" [w Steve Martin]; scum-bag toymaker Elliot Mainway and his “Bag-o-Broken Glass”, etc.. And who can forget the entire genre of pseudo-ads, like Akroyd’s “Bass-o-Matic” or the luxury automobile that rode so smoothly you could do a circumcision in the back seat at 60 mph! If you can hold up the charming but limited Will Farrell to Dan Akroyd, then maybe time will make the difference in opinion.
I would exclude Will Ferrel and add Kristen Wiig. she is hilarious
Why don’t you add a tenth spot and put in dana carvey. Chopin Broccolie!!!
I agree about Kristen Wiig. She’s a riot.
I’d boot Mike Myers for her.