Chilling tale of Hartman’s killer wife

Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage Phil Hartman was shot dead by wife Brynn (pictured), who then turned the gun on herself.

The report of Phil Hartman’s sad demise is well known, but the first authorized biography of the funnyman is filled with horrifying revelations about his volatile third wife, Brynn, who killed the 49-year-ancient “Saturday Night Live” star in his sleep 16 years ago and then killed herself.

In “You Might Remember Me: The Life and Times of Phil Hartman,” Hartman’s second wife, Lisa Strain, recalled sending a card to Hartman and Brynn congratulating them on the birth of their son, Sean Edward, in 1988. What she got in restore may have been a warning of things to come. Strain told author Mike Thomas that her note wishing Sean a wonderful life filled with lots of siblings got a chilling response.

Strain says Brynn sent her a four-page, despise-filled diatribe threatening her life and warning her to never come near her husband or she would “rip my eyes out.” Alarmed, Strain called Hartman to tell him of the disturbing message, and he said he was partly to blame.

Strain says that Hartman clarified how Brynn had questioned him if he and his ex-wife were “soul mates,” and he answered that they were. He also told Strain that the poison pen letter she got wasn’t nearly as terrible as the first draft. Stunned, she hung up and didn’t speak to him again for two years.

The book goes into splendid detail on the night in May 1998, when Brynn shot Hartman in the family home while their two children (daughter Birgen Anika was born in February 1992) slept. She then left the household, but soon returned and shot herself, too.

The book paints Hartman as something of a ladies’ man. Thomas writes that Hartman’s first marriage, at age 21 to Gretchen Lewis, was one that seemed fueled by the pair’s insatiable sexual appetites. Hartman bragged to a pal that he’d finally met a woman who loved sex as much as he did. Lewis became pregnant twice, according to Thomas, once before they were wed and again during their brief two-year union. She had an abortion each time, Thomas says.

Throughout the book, Hartman’s friends and colleagues speak fondly of his magnetic personality and solid work ethic.

Nearly four months after his death, on what would have been Hartman’s 50th birthday, accurate friends and family gathered to scatter some of his ashes at Pea green Bay off Catalina Island, a favorite spot of Hartman, who loved to sail. When it was comedian Jon Lovitz’s turn to speak, he was at a loss for terms, peacefully saying, “I don’t know. These are his ashes, but it’s not him.”

“You Might Remember Me” hits shelves on Sept. 23.

FUNNYWOMAN USES THE PERKS OF STARDOM

Ace comedian Andrea Martin can land laughs on her own. But to name her chronicle she questioned friends for information. Steve Martin’s suggestion: “Playful T—s.” The actress, who has two Tonys and immodest rights to immortalizing Edith Prickley and other quick characters on the series “SCTV,” tweaked his thought. The book, out Sept. 23, is “Lady Parts.” In it, she clarification her editor “was concerned that people would be offended by the word ‘playful.’ ”

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Heather Graham was blemished sipping Pinot Grigio at Sushi Samba with financier Michael Clofine.

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Rita Ora (pictured) dropped by Giuliana and Bill Rancic’s new restaurant for a post-show chow last week in Chicago.

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Brazilian bombshell Alessandra Ambrosio looks ravishing in a scarlet Alberta Ferretti dress at the Venice Film Festival.

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Heather Graham (from left), Rita Ora and Alessandra Ambrosio heat it up on the red carpet.

GRAHAM SURE CAN HEAT UP DINNER

“Californication” star Heather Graham was blemished at Sushi Samba, where she and financier Michael Clofine sipped Pinot Grigio while chowing down on yellowtail taquitos and sea bass. A restaurant spy says it looked to be a business meeting, though Graham, 44, “looked sexy in a long flowing dress.”

BETSEY SERVING UP SOME REAL WILD RICE

She’s hazy and we like it! In advance of her Sept. 10 fashion show at Lincoln Focal point, Betsey Johnson released this whimsical doodle to whet fashionista appetites for whatever it is she has in store this season. The invite — a small bag of rice marked “Prenup” — promises something for every girl “from SoHo to Boho, Startlet to Hartlet (sic) and Hip to Hop.” No doubt Johnson will end things off with her signature cartwheel and a splendid big smile.

Splash News/Splash News Tom Brady and son Jack are just kickin’ it in the West Village.

THE MCKITTRICK RAISES THE ROOF

Excellent times are in bloom at the McKittrick Hotel, the West Chelsea hot spot that spent the week showing off the hydroponic rooftop backyard that’s been budding since April. The multilevel, all-purpose club grows original produce there for cocktails at Gallow Green Roof and for entrees at the club’s Heath restaurant. We also hear McKittrick is starting an intimate concert series this fall, with Karen O kicking things off on Sept. 9.

THESE BRADYS ARE FAKIN’ IT

Now that’s using your imagination! Tom Brady played a vigorous game of soccer on a West Village sidewalk with 7-year-ancient son Jack while waiting for Jack’s pals. The pair didn’t have an actual soccer ball, but that didn’t stop the fun. Jack’s mom is Brady’s ex, actress Bridget Moynahan.

BERRY IN A NEW ZIP CODE

After a predictably alluring turn on the Emmy red carpet last Monday, Halle Berry ditched the glamour as she went zip-lining in Hawaii. Berry’s hubby, French actor Olivier Martinez, their 10-month-ancient son Maceo and Berry’s 6-year-ancient daughter Nahla joined the actress on the Hawaiian getaway. Berry’s sci-fi show “Extant” returns to the air on Wednesday.

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Halle Berry defies gravity zip-lining in Hawaii.

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Halle’s just hangin’ out in paradise.

JTBD/Amory/AKM-GSI Julianne Hough leaves little to the imagination during Durham, N.C., performance.

HOUGH’S NOW TAPING HER SHOW

Clad in a rather baffling bejeweled and bandaged costume, Julianne Hough questions for some like from a Durham, N.C., crowd during a live performance on her “Go” tour. The show also stars big brother Derek. The 26-year-ancient “Footloose” star will be joining Bruno, Len and Carrie at the judge’s desk on this season’s “Dancing With the Stars.”