Bill Murray

Bill Murray, born on September 21, 1950, is an esteemed American actor and comedian renowned for his distinctive deadpan delivery and versatility across a wide range of roles, from mainstream comedies to more nuanced independent dramas. He has cultivated a rich career, collaborating with notable directors such as Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis, Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola, Jim Jarmusch, and the Farrelly brothers. Throughout his career, Murray has garnered numerous awards and nominations, including a BAFTA Award, two Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award nomination. In recognition of his significant contributions to comedy, Murray was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2016.


Murray initially gained prominence on The National Lampoon Radio Hour before achieving national acclaim as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1977 to 1980, where he also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. He solidified his status as a comedic icon with memorable roles in films such as Meatballs, Caddyshack, Stripes, Ghostbusters, What About Bob?, and Groundhog Day. Additionally, he showcased his versatility with supporting roles in acclaimed films like Tootsie, Little Shop of Horrors, Ed Wood, Kingpin, and Osmosis Jones. Murray's sole directorial credit is Quick Change, which he co-directed with Howard Franklin in 1990.


His collaboration with director Wes Anderson began in 1998 with Rushmore, earning him an Independent Spirit Award, and continued with numerous acclaimed films including The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs, and The French Dispatch. He also delivered a remarkable performance in Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation, which earned him Golden Globe and BAFTA Awards and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Murray's diverse body of work includes roles in Broken Flowers, Get Low, Hyde Park on Hudson, St. Vincent, and On the Rocks.


In addition to his film work, Murray has made notable contributions to television, earning his second Primetime Emmy Award for his role in the HBO miniseries Olive Kitteridge. He is also recognized for his voice work, notably as Garfield in the family comedy films Garfield: The Movie and Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties, and as Baloo in Disney's live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book. Murray recently reprised his iconic role as Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.


Bill Murray was born on September 21, 1950, in Evanston, Illinois, to Lucille Murray (née Collins) and Edward Joseph Murray II. He grew up in Wilmette, a suburb of Chicago, alongside his eight siblings, in a household rooted in Irish Catholic heritage. Murray's paternal grandfather hailed from County Cork, while his maternal ancestors originated from County Galway. Notably, three of his siblings, John Murray, Joel Murray, and Brian Doyle-Murray, are also involved in the entertainment industry, with successful careers as actors.
Tragically, Murray's father passed away in 1967 due to complications of diabetes when Bill was just 17 years old. Despite this loss, Murray remained resilient, fueled by his youthful interests in American heroes like Kit Carson, Wild Bill Hickok, and Davy Crockett. During his formative years, Murray attended St. Joseph's grade school and Loyola Academy, where he worked as a golf caddy to support his education. He also delved into his passion for performance, participating in high school and community theater productions while also fronting a rock band called the Dutch Masters.


After graduating from Loyola Academy, Murray briefly pursued pre-medical studies at Regis University in Denver, Colorado, before ultimately deciding to return to Illinois. In 2007, Regis University honored him with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. However, Murray's early adulthood was marked by a notorious incident on his 20th birthday, September 21, 1970, when he was arrested at Chicago's O'Hare Airport for attempting to smuggle cannabis. This event resulted in a conviction and probation for Murray.


Bill Murray's career took off with his involvement in The Second City, an improvisational comedy troupe in Chicago, where he studied under the renowned Del Close. Following his brother Brian's invitation, Murray embarked on this path, honing his comedic skills and improvisation techniques.
In 1974, Murray made the move to New York City and became associated with The National Lampoon Radio Hour after being recruited by John Belushi. His involvement with Lampoon led to various comedic opportunities, including his first television role as a cast member on the ABC variety show Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell. Although Cosell's show was short-lived, Murray's career trajectory shifted when he joined the cast of NBC's Saturday Night Live for its second season in 1976, following the departure of Chevy Chase. He remained with SNL for three seasons from 1977 to 1980, during which he became known for his deadpan delivery and memorable characters.


Murray's rise to prominence continued in the 1980s, particularly through his collaboration with writer-director Harold Ramis. He starred in a series of successful comedies, including Meatballs (1979), Caddyshack (1980), and Stripes (1981). His versatility as an actor was showcased in Tootsie (1982), where he delivered a memorable performance alongside Dustin Hoffman.
In addition to his film work, Murray made notable appearances on late-night television, including being the first guest on NBC's Late Night with David Letterman in 1982. His association with Letterman extended over the years, with Murray making several memorable appearances on both Late Night and the Late Show with David Letterman.
Despite his success, Murray experienced setbacks, notably with the box-office disappointment of The Razor's Edge, which led him to take a hiatus from acting to pursue personal interests. However, he returned to the screen with a renewed focus, starring in films such as Scrooged (1988) and Ghostbusters II (1989), reaffirming his status as a comedic icon.

References

1.  "Bill Murray". Cook County Clerk. April 8, 2011. Archived from the original on April 8, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
2. "Horoscope". TV Guide. December 20, 2021. p. 70.
3. "Chicago Cubs: Bill Murray shares fans' joy". BBC News. November 3, 2016.
4. McGlone, Peggy (October 23, 2016). "Bill Murray accepts Mark Twain Prize: 'As much as I dreaded this ... there's love'". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
5. "Bill Murray Family Tree". Ancestry.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2007.
6. Elder, Sean. "Brilliant Careers: Bill Murray". Salon. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2007.
7. Janssen, Kim (June 8, 2017). "Bill Murray to be inducted into Irish American Hall of Fame". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 10, 2023.