GH’s James Patrick Stuart Recalls Late SNL Star Phil Hartman

Fans of James Patrick Stuart know that the actor comes from a show business family. Therefore, he’s met many famous faces — including ones before they hit it big. The actor recently recalled a special memory he has thanks to the late Phil Hartman, who starred on Saturday Night Live and voiced characters on The Simpsons.

James Patrick Stuart: Avengers Assemble!

Stuart was perhaps prompted to remember Phil Hartman because it was the 25th anniversary of his passing. (The funnyman died on May 28, 1998, at the age of 49.) “First met #PhilHartman when I was 6 years old,” Stuart shared on Twitter. (There was roughly a 20-year age difference between the two men, so Hartman would have been around 26 when the two met.)

“He was a graphic designer working for my dad’s manager,” Stuart adds. Long before CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) and million-dollar budget superhero movies came along, Hartman helped Stuart make movie magic. “When he learned my father had an 8mm movie camera capable of stop frame, he spent an hour with me making a movie where my Marvel Action figures attacked and destroyed my Fisher Price town,” Stuart says. “Will never forget him as long as I live.”

Hartman was a cast member of SNL from 1985 to 1994. He is remembered for his portrayals in sketches of President Ronald Reagan, the Frankenstein Monster, Frank Sinatra, Ed McMahon, First Lady Barbara Bush, President Bill Clinton, and many others. Hartman won the 1989 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program (SNL).

A Daytime Pal Chime In

“You continue to amaze,” responded actor Larry Poindexter. (Soap fans may recall the performer from his role as GH’s Dr. Asher Thomas and the parts of Father Louis and Ben Welch on Days of our Lives.) “I met him after he came backstage to actually give praise to me on a play I was appearing in. AND gave specific advice, warmly and kindly. Was deeply appreciative and will always remember him.”

James Patrick Stuart: Marvelous

In the 1960s and 1970s, Marvel superheroes were seen in Saturday morning cartoons and live-action series, including The Amazing Spider-Man (starring Nicholas Hammond from The Sound of Music) and The Incredible Hulk (starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno). Marvel Universe films have been around since 2007. Over 30 films featuring Marvel superhero characters have been released, and additional movies are in development. The films have grossed close to $30 billion globally. We’re not sure if Stuart has a copy of the film Hartman and he made. But if the actor posts it on social media, we’ll add it to this story!