Everything You Need to Know About Bill Murray | Movies, Myths, Marriages, Girlfriends, Net Worth, and the Man Behind the 1-800 Number

Bill Murray is a famous American actor, comedian, and writer. He is known for his deadpan humor, quick improvisation, and unpredictable charm.

He became famous in the late 1970s on Saturday Night Live. He starred in comedy hits like Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, Stripes, and Groundhog Day. Later, he took on serious roles in movies like Lost in Translation (Oscar-nominated), Rushmore, and Wes Anderson films like The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom, and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Off-screen, Murray is mysterious. He has no agent, uses a famous 1-800 number for bookings, and often appears spontaneously in public. His unique style has made him a pop culture icon. Generations of comedians and filmmakers admire him, and he remains a legendary figure in Hollywood.

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Who is Bill Murray? Early Life and Family

Bill Murray was born William James Murray on September 21, 1950, in Evanston, Illinois. He grew up in Wilmette, a nearby suburb. He was the fifth of nine children in an Irish-Catholic family.

His father, Edward Murray II, was a lumber salesman and died when Bill was 17. His mother, Lucille, was a homemaker with a sharp wit. She raised the children on a tight budget and encouraged their humor.

Bill had many siblings: older brothers Edward, Brian Doyle-Murray, and John; younger brothers Andy and Joel; and sisters Nancy (a nun and actress), Peggy, and Laura. Their house was full of jokes, pranks, and friendly competition, which helped Bill develop his comic timing.

As a child, he sang in church choirs, delivered newspapers, and worked as a caddy at Indian Hill Club—experiences that later inspired Caddyshack. He also acted in school plays but was a troublemaker. On his 20th birthday, he was arrested at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport for joking about bombs in his luggage.

This incident made him leave pre-med at Regis University. He turned to comedy instead and joined Second City in Chicago, starting his journey toward stardom.

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Quick Personal Facts

Career Beginnings

Bill Murray started his comedy career in the early 1970s. He joined Chicago’s Second City, an improv group, after leaving college. There, he worked with future stars like John Belushi and Harold Ramis.

In 1975, he moved to New York. He performed on The National Lampoon Radio Hour and The National Lampoon Show. His deadpan humor caught the attention of producer Lorne Michaels.

When Belushi left Saturday Night Live, Murray joined for the 1977–78 season. He created classic characters like Nick the Lounge Singer, Todd DiLaMuca, and Mr. Bill. He won a 1977 Emmy for Outstanding Writing and became a breakout star of SNL.

Rise to Movie Stardom

Murray became a movie star in 1979 with Meatballs. Caddyshack (1980) made him a comedy icon. He improvised most of Carl Spackler’s lines, including the Dalai Lama story.

Other hits followed: Stripes (1981), Tootsie (1982), Ghostbusters (1984), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Scrooged (1988), Ghostbusters II (1989), What About Bob? (1991), and Groundhog Day (1993).

Later favorites include Kingpin (1996), Rushmore (1998), and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004). He earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination for Lost in Translation (2003) and won several Golden Globes, BAFTA, and Independent Spirit Awards.

Acting Style and Public Persona

Murray is known for his deadpan delivery and fearless improvisation. He often turns a quiet moment into comedy or deep emotion. Many of his lines in films like Caddyshack and Groundhog Day were ad-libbed.

Directors trust him to change dialogue on set. This makes his performances feel natural and spontaneous.

Off-screen, Murray is famous for his eccentric behavior. He has no agent, uses a 1-800 booking number, crashes parties, photobombs events, and even washes dishes at strangers’ homes.

He often works with directors Wes Anderson and Sofia Coppola. His dramatic roles in Lost in Translation and On the Rocks show his range. His real-life antics have made him a modern folk hero as well as a movie star.

Bill Murray Movies

Bill Murray has appeared in over 70 films since 1976. Here is a concise, chronological overview of his most notable and iconic movies:

1970s–1980s – The Comedy Superstar Era

• Meatballs (1979) – His first leading role as chaotic camp counselor Tripper Harrison
• Caddyshack (1980) – Iconic as deranged groundskeeper Carl Spackler
• Stripes (1981) – Army misfit John Winger
• Tootsie (1982) – Dustin Hoffman’s neurotic roommate Jeff
• Ghostbusters (1984) – Dr. Peter Venkman (highest-grossing comedy of the 1980s)
• The Razor’s Edge (1984) – Rare dramatic lead (he financed it himself)
• Little Shop of Horrors (1986) – Sadistic dentist cameo
• Scrooged (1988) – Cynical TV exec Frank Cross in a modern Christmas Carol
• Ghostbusters II (1989)

1990s – Comedy Classics & Dramatic Turns

• What About Bob? (1991) – Tormented psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin
• Groundhog Day (1993) – Phil Connors in the beloved time-loop masterpiece
• Mad Dog and Glory (1993), Ed Wood (1994)
• Kingpin (1996) – Over-the-top bowler Big Ern McCracken
• Space Jam (1996) – Himself (cameo)
• The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997)
• Rushmore (1998) – Breakthrough dramatic role as depressed industrialist Herman Blume (with Wes Anderson)

2000s – Indie Darling & Oscar Nominee

• Charlie’s Angels (2000), Hamlet (2000), Osmosis Jones (2001)
• The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) – Raleigh St. Clair
• Lost in Translation (2003) – Oscar-nominated as fading actor Bob Harris
• Coffee and Cigarettes (2003), The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
• Garfield: The Movie (2004) & Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (2006) – Voice of Garfield
• Broken Flowers (2005), The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
• Get Smart (2008), City of Ember (2008), Zombieland (2009 cameo as himself)

2010s – Wes Anderson Regular & Voice Work

• The Limits of Control (2009), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009 voice – Badger)
• Get Low (2009), Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
• Hyde Park on Hudson (2012 – FDR), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
• St. Vincent (2014 – Golden Globe nominated)
• Aloha (2015), Rock the Kasbah (2015), The Jungle Book (2016 voice – Baloo)
• Ghostbusters (2016 cameo), Isle of Dogs (2018 voice – Boss)
• On the Rocks (2020 – reunited with Sofia Coppola)

2020s – Recent and Upcoming

• The French Dispatch (2021), Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021 – Peter Venkman return)
• Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023 – Lord Krylar)
• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)
• The Phoenician Scheme (2025 – Wes Anderson)

Bill Murray Girlfriends

Early Romance

Bill Murray had a romance with SNL co-star Gilda Radner in the late 1970s.

Affair and Second Marriage

In the 1990s, he had an affair with Jennifer Butler while still married. She later became his second wife.

Brief Fling

He had a short romance with actress Patricia Arquette during the filming of Wild Bill in 1995.

Rumored Relationship

In 2023, rumors linked him to singer Kelis, but both denied any romance.

Bill Murray Wife

Murray has been married twice. His first wife, Margaret “Mickey” Kelly, married in 1981, had two sons (Homer and Luke), and divorced in 1996. His second wife, Jennifer Butler, married in 1997, had four sons (Caleb, Jackson, Cooper, Lincoln), and divorced in 2008 amid serious allegations. Murray has been single since and prioritizes fatherhood.

Bill Murray Net Worth

As of 2025, Bill Murray’s net worth is about $180 million. He earned money from movies like Ghostbusters, Caddyshack, Lost in Translation, Wes Anderson films, voice work, and his Murray Bros. Caddyshack restaurants. He avoids traditional agents, using a 1-800 booking line instead. Despite divorce and legal settlements, his wealth remains strong.

FAQs

What is Bill Murray’s band “Blood Brothers” about?

Bill Murray leads the blues-rock band Blood Brothers, formed in 2002. They play covers of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and The Kinks. They tour, including Chicago shows and a Christmas special in Nashville in 2025.

Who are Bill Murray’s brothers?

Bill has five brothers: Ed (1944–2020), Brian Doyle-Murray (actor/writer), Andy (banker), John (actor), and Joel (actor). Some worked with him on films and the Murray Bros. Caddyshack restaurants.

What role did Bill Murray play in Groundhog Day?

He played Phil Connors, a cynical weatherman stuck in a time loop, reliving February 2 over and over, learning to grow and change.

What was Bill Murray’s role in Kingpin?

He played Ernie “Big Ern” McCracken, a cheating, one-handed pro bowler. He improvised most lines and bowled three strikes on camera.

What was Bill Murray’s first movie?

His first major film was Meatballs (1979), playing chaotic camp counselor Tripper Harrison. It launched his movie career.

Who is John Murray?

John Murray (born 1958) is Bill Murray’s brother. He is an actor and writer, known for Scrooged, Elf, and Caddyshack. He also booked Blood Brothers for family events.

What caused Bill Murray’s facial scars?

His facial scars come from severe teenage acne, mostly on his right cheek. A groundhog bite left a scar on his hand, not his face.

Did Bill Murray quit acting, and why?

He didn’t quit but took a four-year break from 1985–1988 after The Razor’s Edge flopped. He studied philosophy in Paris before returning with Scrooged.

What happened to Bill Murray’s second wife, Jennifer Butler?

Jennifer Butler, his second wife (1997–2008), died in 2021 at age 57. Their divorce was bitter, but they shared four sons: Caleb, Jackson, Cooper, and Lincoln.

What is Bill Murray most famous for?

He is known for his deadpan comedy in Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and Caddyshack, dramatic roles in Lost in Translation, and his SNL career (1977–1980).

Who is the only man to win three Best Actor Oscars?

Daniel Day-Lewis is the only man to win three Best Actor Oscars (My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, Lincoln).