Phil Hartman
Phil Hartman was remembered on "SNL 40" as one of the funniest "Saturday Night Live" comedians. Reuters

Phil Hartman shot to fame in the 1980s and is one of the best comedians to appear on “Saturday Night Live.” Some would even say Hartman was the funniest -- ever. The star was shot to death by his wife in 1998 in a murder-suicide, but during “SNL 40” Sunday, which paid tribute to 40 years of the sketch show, Hartman was fondly remembered when his best moments were shown.

Hartman, who was 49 when he died, played dozens of characters on the show. He was best known for his Bill Clinton and Frank Sinatra impressions, but he also played more abstract roles like Frankenstein’s monster and Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. For those who might have missed a scene or two, below is a compilation of the comedian’s funniest moments on “SNL.”

Why not start at the beginning? The Canadian funnyman joined the NBC variety show in 1986. "I wanted to do [SNL] because I wanted to get the exposure that would give me box-office credibility so I can write movies for myself,” he told the Los Angeles Times in 1986.

Hartman, who was known as “The Glue” on SNL, occasionally broke character. When he did, some of the bloopers were hilarious.

The “Uncle John” skit with Chris Kattan was cut before it made it to the show. Some YouTube viewers labeled it “dark.”

With nearly 70,000 views, the “Credit Card” is one of Hartman’s most popular SNL moments on YouTube.

During a clip with Chris Farely and Mike Meyers, Hartman made audiences crack up when he played “Susan” during “Dast Ist Jeopardy.” To date, the clip has nearly 180,000 views on YouTube.

After “SNL,” where he earned an Emmy award in 1989, Hartman went on to host “NewsRadio,” which earned him a posthumous nomination after his tragic death.

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