The Quiet Lives Of Phil Hartman's Children: Where Are Birgen And Sean Hartman Today?

Over two decades have passed since the world was stunned by the tragic murder-suicide of comedy legend Phil Hartman and his wife, Brynn Hartman. The devastating event, which occurred in May 1998, left their two young children, Sean Edward and Birgen Anika, orphaned and thrust into a life that was suddenly and irrevocably changed. As of late 2025, the public's curiosity about the children of the beloved *Saturday Night Live* and *NewsRadio* star remains high, particularly because they have largely maintained a deliberate and admirable low profile.

The story of Phil Hartman’s children is one of resilience, privacy, and finding a quiet path forward after an unimaginable trauma. Today, Sean and Birgen Hartman are adults in their mid-30s, navigating their own careers and personal lives, occasionally offering glimpses into how they honor their father's enduring legacy while building a future far removed from the Hollywood spotlight that claimed their parents.

Phil Hartman: A Comedy Legend's Complete Biography

Philip Edward Hartman (né Hartmann) was a Canadian-American comedian, actor, screenwriter, and graphic designer whose versatile talent earned him the moniker "The Glue" of *Saturday Night Live* (SNL).

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• Full Name: Philip Edward Hartman (né Hartmann)
• Born: September 24, 1948, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada
• Died: May 28, 1998, in Encino, California, U.S. (Age 49)
• Nationality: Canadian and American
• Occupation: Comedian, Actor, Screenwriter, Graphic Designer
• Education: California State University, Northridge (Graphic Arts)
• Spouses:
  • Gretchen Lewis (m. 1970; div. 1972)
  • Lisa Strain (m. 1982; div. 1985)
  • Brynn Hartman (m. 1987; died 1998)
• Children: Sean Edward Hartman (b. 1988) and Birgen Anika Hartman (b. 1992)
• Key Career Highlights:
  • The Groundlings: Began his comedy career with the Los Angeles-based improvisational troupe.
  • *Saturday Night Live* (SNL): Cast member from 1986 to 1994, known for his masterful impressions (like Bill Clinton and Frank Sinatra) and original characters (like the Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer and Eugene the chef).
  • *The Simpsons:* Voiced iconic recurring characters, including the ambulance-chasing lawyer Lionel Hutz and the B-movie actor Troy McClure.
  • *NewsRadio:* Starred as the egotistical news anchor Bill McNeal from 1995 until his death.

Hartman’s reputation as a consummate professional and a generous performer made his sudden death at the hands of his third wife, Brynn Hartman, one of the most shocking tragedies in Hollywood history. Brynn, who struggled with addiction and mental health issues, shot Phil while he slept before committing suicide hours later, leaving their two young children orphaned.

Birgen Hartman Today: Advocacy, Marriage, and Consent Culture

Birgen Anika Hartman was only six years old when she lost both parents. Following the tragedy, she and her older brother, Sean, were raised by Brynn Hartman's sister, Katharine Omdahl, and her husband in the Midwest, a move that allowed them a semblance of normalcy and privacy away from the intense media scrutiny of Los Angeles.

Today, Birgen Hartman is in her early 30s and has carved out a life that, while mostly private, occasionally intersects with public advocacy. She has become known as a student safety advocate and a consent culture educator.

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A Focus on Education and Safety

Birgen's public-facing work has centered on teaching and promoting important social awareness topics. This professional direction is a clear indicator of her commitment to making a positive impact, particularly in educational settings. While she maintains a low-profile life, her social media presence sometimes reflects her dedication to these causes.

In a significant personal update, Birgen is married. She tied the knot with her husband, Brandon, a few years ago, sharing moments of her wedding and personal life on her private social media accounts, reinforcing the fact that she is building a stable and happy life far from the shadow of her childhood trauma.

Her occasional public posts, such as commemorating her father’s birthday, often strike a balance between acknowledging the comedian's legacy and showcasing her own unique, naturally comedic personality—a trait she once jokingly attributed to her father.

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Sean Hartman's Path: Art, Design, and a Quiet Life in Oakland

Sean Edward Hartman was nine years old at the time of the murder-suicide, making him slightly older than his sister and perhaps more acutely aware of the devastating events. Like Birgen, Sean was also raised by his aunt and uncle, receiving an inheritance from his parents' estate, which was valued at an estimated $1.23 million at the time.

Sean Hartman, now in his mid-30s, has pursued a career path that echoes one of his father's earliest professional endeavors: the arts. Phil Hartman started his career as a successful graphic designer, even designing album covers for bands like Poco and America, before finding fame in comedy.

Following in Artistic Footsteps

Sean is believed to be living in Oakland, California, and is actively involved in a career related to the arts. He has been described as an actor, artist, graphic designer, writer, and voice artist, suggesting a multi-faceted creative pursuit.

This creative trajectory suggests that the artistic genes of his father, the man known for his incredible versatility on *SNL* and his voice work on *The Simpsons* as characters like Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure, have been passed down. Sean’s choice to live a low-profile life in the Bay Area, away from the Hollywood scene, is consistent with the siblings' shared desire for privacy and normalcy.

The Enduring Legacy and Impact of Phil Hartman's Children

The lives of Birgen and Sean Hartman serve as a poignant reminder of the personal cost of the 1998 tragedy. Despite the unimaginable circumstances of their parents’ deaths, both siblings have managed to build stable, meaningful lives, choosing to honor the memory of their father, the "Man of a Thousand Voices," on their own terms.

Maintaining Privacy and Honoring Memory

Their decision to remain largely out of the spotlight is a testament to the successful efforts of their legal guardians, the Omdahls, to protect them from the relentless media attention that followed the tragedy. This privacy has allowed them to process their trauma and forge their own identities outside of the shadow of the *SNL* and *NewsRadio* star.

However, they do occasionally engage with the public to keep their father's memory alive. Birgen, in particular, has used social media to share fond memories and comedic anecdotes about Phil Hartman, reminding fans of the warm, funny, and supportive man he was behind the scenes. These small, heartfelt tributes resonate deeply with the millions of fans who still mourn the loss of the comedy icon.

A Different Kind of Hollywood Ending

While neither Birgen nor Sean has sought a high-profile career in mainstream entertainment—a world that was both their father's triumph and the setting of his tragedy—their pursuits in advocacy and art reflect a profound connection to creativity and purpose. Birgen's work as a consent culture educator and Sean’s endeavors in graphic design and the arts demonstrate that the estate left to them was not just financial, but a foundation for lives dedicated to personal passion and social good.

The story of Phil Hartman’s children today is not defined by the tragedy of their youth, but by the quiet strength and determination with which they have built their adult lives. They stand as a quiet testament to the enduring power of family, resilience, and the lasting, positive impact of a father who was, and remains, a beloved figure in the history of comedy.

The legacy of Phil Hartman, the brilliant star of *Saturday Night Live* and *NewsRadio*, lives on not just in his unforgettable characters like the Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer, but in the successful, grounded lives of his two children, Birgen and Sean, who continue to forge their own paths with grace and dignity.