You know him from “Ghostbusters” (1984), “Groundhog day” (1993), “Lost in translation” (2003) and all the Wes Andersen movies. Bill Murray is not only a Golden Globe and BAFTA award winner, but also a comedian. He debuted on the “Saturday Night Live” and received an Emmy Award. Three out of his eight brothers and sisters are also actors. During his high school years, he formed a rock band, “Dutch Masters”, in which he was the singer. He was also part of community theater. It was his older brother, Brian Murray, who got him started in comedy and acting by inviting him in an improvisational comedy crew. Without further ado, let’s take a look at 9 things you didn’t know about Bill Murray.
9. He can tear up at his own movies
Ever asked yourself if actors watch their own movies? And if they do watch them, do they laugh and cry along with the crowd? Bill Murray confessed that the first time he watched “St Vincent”, he was happy with the audience’s response: they liked the grumpy veteran and his next door friend. All of a sudden he realized the plot was getting to him too. He said he had tears in his eyes and was really afraid of the lights coming on and being embarrassed.
8. He flirts with the idea of returning to the theater
Once a theater man, always a theater man. Murray said that the only thing he’d like to do that he’s never done before is write a theater play. While shooting for movies is great for his attention span, he feels attracted to the theater and to playing in front of a live audience.
7. His “St. Vincent” performance had elements from his family
He reminisces about his brother and his father. He doesn’t forget about his grandfather who played a major role in his early years and he’ll never forget how he scared children by taking out his lower bridge teeth.
6. He’s not afraid to pedal it out
While he was shooting for “St. Vincent” in New York, Murray returned the producers the money they gave him for a hotel room. He chose to crash at a friend’s place in Williamsburg. He didn’t need a ride either. He would bike for 40 minutes each day to reach the set. Although he always got there sweaty, he was ready to roll.
5. Practice makes perfect
The actor and comedian said he’s improved since his first lead role from 1979 in “Meatballs”. If back then he was a ball of energy, now he can pace himself on the screen so he doesn’t feel wiped out when he finishes his parts.
4. Various on set feuds
A creative, but a difficult actor is how most of his colleagues would describe Murray. He had a big fall out with the director of “Caddyshack” and “Groundhog Day”, Harold Ramis. They reconciled shortly before the director’s death, but their feud baffles their close ones to this day.
3. Handling bad actors
Nothing seems too difficult for Murray. He even has a system to help him with bad actors. If he feels the movie’s not working out, he doesn’t shy away from adjustments and finesse touches. If that fails, he says he tweaks the relationship until it becomes one of a kind.
2. The Razor’s Edge remains a bittersweet memory
Murray pinned “The Razor’s Edge” as one of the things he regrets. The 1984 movie is based on W. Somerset Maugham’s novel with the same title. It was the first dramatic role Murray took on. Set during World War I, in 1917, the shooting took place in London, Paris and India. At the latter destination, all the crew members got food poisoning from the chicken they had eaten. The movie failed to attract the sympathy of the public or the critics, who called “The Razor’s edge” overproduced and painstakingly slow. Murray got very invested in the movie, especially by the Vietnam era people.
1. Melissa McCarthy followed Murray’s footsteps
As Bill Murray’s co-star on “St Vincent”, McCarthy picked up a couple of things from the comedian. She admits to feeling anxious about meeting him, but she didn’t expect Murray to go all out and get her a huge cake. On the last day of filming for “St Vincent”, McCarthy had to catch an early flight, which meant cutting it short on the movie set. So Bill gave her a cake that said they all appreciated her staying so long. Needless to say, Melissa missed her flight and learned to “carpe diem” from then on.
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