Hartman got his start in show business as a performing member of the comedy troupe, "Groundlings". Hartman then joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 1987, and stayed on the show for 8 years. Hartman also did prominent voice acting roles on "The Simpsons" until his untimely death in 1998. He was also part of the main cast on the critically-acclaimed sitcom "News Radio", until his murder. Hartman, before becoming an actor and performer, worked as an album designer and graphic artist for multiple rock bands such as Poco, America and Crosby, Stills and Nash, while also co-creating the signature logo for the latter group. Hartman had also co-created the character Pee-wee Herman together along with his fellow Groundlings member and associate Paul Reubens. Hartman also co-wrote the screenplay for the film "Pee-wee's Big Adventure". 