Sean Edward Hartman was born to the late celebrated artist Phil Hartman, whose tragic death was caused by his wife in the late 1990s. Though Sean followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the entertainment industry, he preferred to live outside the spotlight.
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Like his dad, Sean Edward Hartman is known for his many talents. He dabbled in many artistic pursuits, working as an actor, writer, graphic designer, and voice artist. However, Sean is mainly known as the late yet beloved comedian and actor Phil Hartman’s son.
After he lost his parents in a traumatic incident at only nine years old, he and his sister grew up under their maternal aunt’s care alongside her husband. It’s been decades since Phil and his wife died, but people still send their children kind words and tokens of comfort.
Phil Hartman his wife Brynn, his daughter and son, Birgen and Sean, pose for a portrait with Bugs Bunny during an event at Six Flags Magic Mountain in June 1995, in Valencia, California | Source: Getty Images
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Sean Edward Believed in “Pursuing His Dreams of Being an Artist and Musician”
Sean is now in his mid-30s, born sometime in 1988, and currently leads a low-profile life in Oakland, California. Though he knew them for a short time, he was born to loving parents whose relationship eventually became tumultuous.
It’s unknown when his love for the arts began, but some of his credits are listed in public records. Sean has been working as a visual artist and a musician. He designed the poster for the short action film “Kimura’s Vengeance,” and has been a part of a few bands over the years.
Phil Hartman and his wife Brynn pose at the Neil Bogart Memorial Fund’s Children’s Choice Award Salute to David Foster at the Barker Hangar, Santa Monica Air Center on November 12, 1997, in Santa Monica, California | Source: Getty Images
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His paternal uncle, Greg Omdahl, revealed his nephew was pursuing his dreams of becoming an artist and musician while his niece had started a successful business in 2019. Greg spoke fondly of his sister’s children, saying:
“I believe my sister would be very proud of how Sean and Birgen have grown up and the people they’ve turned into.”
Phil Hartman & his wife Brynn are pictured at an HBO event in 1998 | Source: Getty Images
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His Sister Is More Open To Public
Birgen Hartman was born sometime in 1992. Though she grew up being guarded against the spotlight, she became more open to the public, launching an active social media presence. At the time of publication, her Instagram account had amassed over 23K followers.
The entrepreneur is also a married woman. She tied the knot with her husband during an Italian ceremony in October 2018. Birgen also attended the “Saturday Night Live” 40 Anniversary celebration in 2015, which pleased many fans after her father made an indelible mark on the show.
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In May 2017, about two days after the 19th anniversary of her parents’ passing, Birgen penned a message of appreciation alongside a picture of a bouquet of yellow roses. Many loved ones had sent tokens and comforting messages commemorating Phil, and she expressed her gratitude, saying:
“It truly means the world to me, and my parents would be so happy to know that such a supportive community still exists for us after all these years. I don’t know what else to say, I’m just so grateful… It’s been a tough day but I certainly don’t feel alone. So thank you [heart emoji].”
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Their Childhood Was Blurred with Traumatic Accident
Sean was nine, and Birgen was six when their mother, Brynn Hartmann, ended Phil’s life with a gun and later took her own with the same weapon. The tragedy occurred between the late hours of May 27 and the wee hours of May 28, 1998.
The siblings grew up under Mike and Katherine Wright’s custody in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, afterward. Although some details surrounding Phil and Brynn‘s death remain somewhat of a mystery, Sean and Birgen were present when their parents died in their home.
A
article reported that as police arrived at the scene, Sean was running out the door. They went inside to get Birgen and heard the last gunshot Brynn fired toward herself. Thankfully, neither Sean nor Birgen was physically injured.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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