It’s Friday again, so I already want to wish you a very enjoyable weekend and present you with a new installment of “The Many Faces of…”. Born on the 21st of September, 1950, Bill Murray has been picked as this week’s star. He comes from a big family (he had 8 brothers and sisters). When growing up he kept himself busy as lead singer of a rockband and to earn some money he worked as a golf caddy. He already acted in high school. After graduating he started taking premedical course, but never finished.
He started doing improvisational comedy together with his brother and was eventually recruited by John Belushi to star on a comedy radio show. He appeared on Saturday Night Live and TVTV. His first movie role was in Meatballs and he played Hunter S. Thompson in Where the Buffalo Roam. With movies like Caddyshack and Tootsie he quickly became a well-known actor. He was the star of Ghostbusters and Groundhog day and has appeared in lots of movies over his career, including more serious roles.
Picking a favorite is difficult. I loved his cameo in Zombieland (which I now see I forgot to include in the overview), thought he was amazing in Lost in Translation, but if I’m only allowed to pick one it has to be Groundhog Day in which he goes through so many emotions. It’s a movie that never gets old and Murray is the reason for it.
What’s your favorite Bill Murray role?
Ah Mr Murray… such a long and brilliant career!!
Ghostbusters is a special film for me!!
Yes, he has. I can understand those feelings for Ghostbusters. I only watched it later, but did watch the cartoons when I was little..
So many great films, it really is difficult to choose a favourite. Lost in Translation is definitely up there, as is Ghostbusters. I couldn’t stand Broken Flowers though.
It is difficult to choose. Can’t remember too much about Broken Flowers although I can remember I didn’t hate it…
Aside from the usuals, two of my favorite Murray roles were in Rushmore and What About Bob.
Didn’t like Rushmore and haven’t seen What About Bob. Should see more of his work.
Ohhh I’m glad you finally chose Murray for this segment! I haven’t seen too many of his movies but I like him in almost everything I’ve seen him in. I think my faves are Groundhog Day & Lost in Translation.
Happy to hear that Ruth, I was planning to do him for a while, but knew I needed more time to make it as he has been in many movies. Great picks for your favorites!
As great as he is in Lost in Translation, I love his scene-stealing performance in Tootsie.
“I want 90 people who just came out of the worst rainstorm in the city’s history. These are people who are alive on the planet, until they dry off. I wish I had a theater that was only open when it rained.” 😀
I have to admit I never saw Tootsie, so I don’t know his performance.
My favorite movie of his is Groundhog day, which I think is one of the best comedies ever made. Bill Murray’s one of my favorite comedians ever, and I glad you like him too.
Completely agree, it’s one I can just watch endlessly.
I’m a fan of Murray as well. And I think I’m going to have to split hairs a bit on your question, because otherwise I couldn’t choose. Groundhog Day is my favorite Bill Murray movie, but Ghostbusters is my favorite movie with Bill Murray in it. That is to say, I think Murray is best in Groundhog Day, but I think Ghostbusters is — just slightly — the better movie.
Hahaha, I’ll let it slide 😉
Yes! I’m glad you’re finally getting around to my favorite actor for this series. Murray is just brilliant. My favorite role of his is Bob Harris in Lost in Translation, but he’s great in everything.
I hope you don’t mind if I use this collage for my Facebook cover picture. Full credit will be given, of course.
Just let me know what others you’d like to see and I’ll see what I can do (for older actors it’s usually more difficult to find pictures of their earlier works).
I really want to rewatch Lost in Translation since I’ve made this post and also saw a documentary about Japan last week.
Of course you can use it!
For me, Billy Murray will always be Peter Venkman. Always. I did love his cameo of himself in Zombieland!
Nice one!
Oh man, it’s damn near impossible to choose a favorite Murray role! Lost in Translation is probably my #1, but he is so great in everything.
I can understand that feeling, had the same when making a choice
The BIG ONES! Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day. I don’t really get the We Anderson films and Lost in Translation and all this recent stuff. Even the Zombieland cameo was a bit overrated! Still need to see Caddyshack though!
I’m not a big fan of the Anderson movies either, just don’t think they are very funny. Haven’t seen Caddyshack either!
Nice post. Bill Murray is awesome. Love him in Ed Wood, Lost in Translation and, of course, Zombieland!
Great picks!
Another personal favourite of mine Nostra. Groundhog Day has got to be tops but I also liked his turn in Mad Dog and Glory. It was an unusual role for him at that time and he played of DeNiro brilliantly.
Thanks Mark, I haven’t seen Mad Dog and glory but I might check it out .
It’s no classic but a good little film. It’s great to see both Murray and DeNiro play against type. It’s worth it for that alone.
Favorite Bill Murray role? Well, I loved him in “The Groundhog Day”. His “I don’t care” attitude and his later “Please kill me” phase are excellently portraid. So, I guess this is my favorite!
Also, I love your posting schedule. Your “Monday Question” and “The Many faces of…” are some of the best ideas I’ve ever seen! Good job and good luck!
Nice choice!
Thanks, yeah, have been keeping up with the Monday Question/Friday Faces for a while now and also had another one on Wednesdays, but time didn’t allow me to keep that one up.
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