Hartman's ironic last words

The International Department of Grim Irony just picked up its latest shipment: Phil Hartman's words on death and dying, uttered shortly before he was murdered recently by his wife.

During his tenure on NBC's "Saturday Night Live," I always thought Hartman was one of the few funny things about the show, which somehow survives year after year despite being mostly unamusing. The voices he added to "The Simpsons," such as the crooked lawyer and over-muscled actor, contributed to that cartoon show's success.

Most of all, his impressions were dead on, from his charmingly lascivious President Clinton to his tough-guy Frank Sinatra and obsequious Ed McMahon. Indeed, his extraordinary talent for mimicry can be measured by counting the number of comedians who get laughs simply by imitating his imitations.

Thoughts on death

Recently, Hartman was interviewed by Mark Pattison of Catholic News Service. The idea was for the actor to talk about "NewsRadio," his weekly NBC sitcom, which had been renewed for the fall. During the interview, Hartman talked about the recent death of his father. Ironically, his own words can now be applied to him.

In dealing with death, Hartman said, "our faith prepares us for what lies ahead and tells us that it's a mystery to us, and we tremble before that mystery. Ours is a Catholic family. We have some preparation for this.

"It was wonderful for us to be there and kiss him and say our goodbyes and see him off and help our mother through all this," the comedian said, noting that he was happy to be making enough money to support her.

"My faith has guided me to believe [death is] a rebirth," he said. "We are set free from the mortal coil, and we'll see wonders beyond our imagination. We'll get close to the Creator. I've believed that all my life, even when I've questioned other aspects of my faith. I'll be there with my father in heaven."

Ironic twist

Hartman couldn't have guessed how soon his words would come true and how quickly death would come for him. Nor can any of us guess how soon our own time runs out as we drive to work, take a plane to visit grandma, walk in the park or bend over to tie our shoes.

It's crippling to our bodies to go through life with so keen a sense of our mortality that we cannot function in daily life. But it's crippling to our souls to pretend we will never die -- or at least not until we're 90, free of disease and lying comfortably in bed.

In reality, what we say today might be the ironic words read by our loved ones during our funeral tomorrow. "You never know," goes the old expression, but really you do know. You just have to admit it and then live your life like you believe it.

Hartman said that he believed "I'll be with my father in heaven" after his own death. All of us should work to assure we will be with our Father in heaven when death comes for us.

(06-11-98) [[In-content Ad]]