Phil Hartman, 49, 1948-1998

Phil Hartman, the Saturday Night Live star, was shot to death in his sleep by his wife, Brynn Omdahl, at their home in Los Angeles in 1988. She left their two children behind after she took her own life the same evening.

Hartman had a successful run as a graphic designer but turned to showbiz when he volunteered to go on stage during a performance of The Groundlings. Tracy Newman, one of its founding members, was so impressed that she later invited him to join the troupe. He was a natural showman and a good writer.