Performed in high-school plays but credits the University of California at Irvine for providing him with his first real training in acting; met actors Ben Kingsley, Patrick Stewart and Robin Williams during his time at UCI.
Joined the Groundlings in Los Angeles in 1982 and met Phil Hartman there two years later.
Recommended for an audition for Saturday Night Live by former Groundling and SNL alum Laraine Newman and was hired in 1984.
Persuaded SNL producer Lorne Michaels to hire Hartman after he landed a job on the show.