J.P. Antonacci
BRANT NEWS

It’s been a long time coming, but one of Canada’s best and most respected comedians will soon be immortalized on Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Canada’s Walk of Fame organizers on Tuesday announced that Brantford native Phil Hartman was chosen for the honour this year, along with musicians Randy Bachman and Sarah McLachlan, ballerina Sonia Rodriguez, hall of fame CFL quarterback Russ Jackson and members of the 1972 Summit Series hockey team.

Paul Hartmann is thrilled that his late brother is finally getting this recognition.

“My family and I are very grateful to all of Phil’s fans and to SiriusXM for supporting the push to recognize Phil as one of Canada’s comedic stars,” said Hartmann, who led an online campaign to garner support for the star of Saturday Night Live, NewsRadio and The Simpsons.

“This star solidifies Phil’s legacy as one of Canada’s great entertainers.”

Hartman also won the Walk of Fame’s Cineplex Legends Award, which is presented posthumously to trailblazers in film and television, music, sport, arts and innovation.

Along with being a gifted actor and improvisational comedian, Hartman also won accolades for his screenwriting and graphic art, including album covers for America and Crosby, Stills and Nash, as well as a Grammy Award for his album art for Poco 7.

Walk of Fame organizers said Canadians in 135 countries cast nearly 30,000 online ballots to determine which luminaries would be honoured this year at a Sept. 22 ceremony in Toronto.

SiriusXM boosted the online campaign by airing Hartman-inspired programming throughout April, including testimonials from comics inspired by his voice work, impersonations and memorable onscreen performances.

“Phil was a national treasure in our time and his star on the Walk of Fame is well-deserved,” said SiriusXM Canada vice president John Lewis. “We couldn’t have been happier with the success of Phil Hartman Month. It was great to see so many Canadians jumping in to bring attention to his campaign.”

To celebrate the announcement, Sirius will air Hartman’s comedy album, Flat TV, on Laugh Attack (XM channel 160) tonight at 7 p.m., June 22 at 3 a.m. and June 24 at 9 a.m.