On April 19, 2024, with a spatula in hand, World Simpson Day was celebrated in honor of the iconic animated series. The Simpsons first aired in 1987 during The Tracey Ullman Show, with its official premiere taking place on December 17, 1989. Over the years, the show has featured hundreds of characters, from mainstays to one-time appearances. However, two characters, Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure, disappeared from the series under tragic circumstances.
Both characters were voiced by Philip Edward Hartman, a star of Saturday Night Live. Hartman provided the voices for these beloved characters as well as Tom, Bart’s older brother, and Lyle Lanley, the conman behind the monorail in Springfield. Tragically, Hartman was murdered on May 28, 1998, at the age of 49 by his wife, Brynn Omdahl.
The incident occurred while Hartman was sleeping in his Los Angeles home. Omdahl entered the room and shot her husband multiple times, with the fatal shot ultimately taking his life. Investigations later revealed that Omdahl was under the influence of alcohol, cocaine, and antidepressants at the time of the murder.
The loss of Philip Hartman was a devastating blow to The Simpsons and the entertainment industry as a whole. His talent and contributions to the show will always be remembered by fans and colleagues alike.