History of Bill Murray in Timeline

Bill Murray is an American actor and comedian celebrated for his deadpan comedic style showcased across diverse film genres. He has earned prestigious awards including a BAFTA, Golden Globe, and two Primetime Emmys, along with an Academy Award nomination. Recognized for his significant contributions to humor, Murray received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2016.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1939: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Visit the Roosevelts

In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited the Roosevelts' Hyde Park home, an event depicted in the 2012 film "Hyde Park on Hudson" starring Bill Murray.

1978: Bill Murray Plays Minor League Baseball

In 1978, Bill Murray played in two at-bats for the Grays Harbor Loggers Minor League Baseball team, achieving a .500 batting average.

January 25, 1981: Marriage to Margaret Kelly

On January 25, 1981, Bill Murray married Margaret Kelly during the filming of Stripes. They later remarried in Chicago for their families.

April 17, 1987: Guest Color Commentator for Cubs Game

On April 17, 1987, Bill Murray was a guest color commentator for the Chicago Cubs game against the Montreal Expos.

1996: Divorce from Margaret Kelly

In 1996, Bill Murray and Margaret Kelly divorced following Murray's affair with Jennifer Butler.

2001: Murray Bros. Caddy Shack Opens in Florida

In 2001, Bill Murray and his brothers opened a Murray Bros. Caddy Shack restaurant at the World Golf Village near St. Augustine, Florida.

2001: Alleged Assault on Speaking of Sex Producer

In 2001, on the set of "Speaking of Sex", Bill Murray allegedly assaulted a producer after a disagreement regarding Murray's birthday off request.

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2004: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Release

In 2004, Bill Murray starred in "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou," his third collaboration with Wes Anderson. Murray played Steve Zissou, an oceanographer-filmmaker struggling to finish his latest documentary. The film received mixed reviews initially but has since developed a cult following.

2005: Broken Flowers Release

In 2005, Bill Murray reunited with Jim Jarmusch in "Broken Flowers." Murray played Don Johnston, who embarks on a journey to find out who sent him a mysterious letter. His performance was praised.

2006: Recipient of Baseball Reliquary's Hilda Award

In 2006, Bill Murray received Baseball Reliquary's annual Hilda Award, which recognizes distinguished service to baseball by a fan.

July 28, 2007: MC for Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival

On July 28, 2007, Bill Murray was the MC for Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival, where he dressed in various guises of Clapton.

September 2007: Invited to Cubs Clubhouse Champagne Party

In late September 2007, Bill Murray was invited to the Chicago Cubs' clubhouse champagne party after the team clinched the NL Central title.

2007: The Darjeeling Limited Cameo

In 2007, Bill Murray made a cameo appearance in Wes Anderson's film, "The Darjeeling Limited."

2007: Pulled Over for DUI in Sweden

In 2007, Bill Murray was pulled over by Swedish police on suspicion of driving a golf cart under the influence of alcohol.

May 12, 2008: Butler Files for Divorce

On May 12, 2008, Butler filed for divorce from Murray, citing allegations of domestic violence, infidelity, and addictions to sex, marijuana, and alcohol.

June 13, 2008: Divorce Finalized

On June 13, 2008, Bill Murray's divorce from Butler was finalized after allegations of domestic violence, infidelity and addiction.

August 2008: Appeared at Chicago Air & Water Show

In August 2008, Bill Murray appeared at the 50th annual Chicago Air & Water Show and performed a tandem jump with the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights.

2008: Maintained Residence in Greenwich Village

Between 2008, Bill Murray maintained a residence in the Lower Manhattan neighborhood of Greenwich Village.

2008: City of Ember and Get Smart Release

In 2008, Bill Murray played an important role in the post-apocalyptic film "City of Ember" and had a cameo in "Get Smart."

2009: Get Low, Zombieland and Fantastic Mr. Fox Release

In 2009, Bill Murray starred in the independent film "Get Low", played himself in the zombie comedy "Zombieland," and voiced Mr. Badger in Wes Anderson's stop-motion film "Fantastic Mr. Fox."

2012: Moonrise Kingdom Release

In 2012, Bill Murray appeared in Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom," which premiered at the 65th Cannes Film Festival and was both a box office and critical success.

2012: Hyde Park on Hudson Release

In 2012, Bill Murray starred in "Hyde Park on Hudson" as Franklin D. Roosevelt and received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance. The movie focuses on the 1939 visit at the Roosevelts' Hyde Park home by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

2012: Inducted into the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame

In 2012, Bill Murray was inducted into the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame for his ownership and investment activities in the league.

2013: Residence in Greenwich Village Maintained

Until 2013, Bill Murray maintained a residence in the Lower Manhattan neighborhood of Greenwich Village.

February 2014: Reconciliation with Harold Ramis and Tribute at Academy Awards

Shortly before Harold Ramis' death in February 2014, Bill Murray reconciled with him and honored him at the 86th Academy Awards.

2014: The Grand Budapest Hotel Release

In 2014, Bill Murray appeared in Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel," which received 9 Academy Award nominations and won the Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

2014: The Monuments Men and St. Vincent Release

In 2014, Bill Murray starred in George Clooney's "The Monuments Men" and the coming-of-age film "St. Vincent," receiving a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the latter as a grumpy, alcoholic Vietnam War veteran.

2015: Rock the Kasbah and A Very Murray Christmas Release

In 2015, Bill Murray starred in "Rock the Kasbah" and "A Very Murray Christmas," a musical holiday special for Netflix, which was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.

2015: Inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame

In 2015, Bill Murray was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame.

July 15, 2016: Ghostbusters Reboot Release

On July 15, 2016, Bill Murray appeared in the "Ghostbusters" reboot as Martin Heiss, a cynical ghost debunker.

2016: William Murray Golf Brand Launched

In 2016, Bill Murray and his brother Joel launched an apparel brand called William Murray Golf on his birthday.

2016: Attended Cubs' World Series Victory and Sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"

In 2016, Bill Murray attended the Chicago Cubs' historic Game Seven victory during the World Series. He also sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at Wrigley Field during a World Series game.

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2016: Awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

In 2016, Bill Murray was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor by the Kennedy Center.

2016: Moonrise Kingdom named one of the greatest films of the 21st century

In 2016, the BBC included the film "Moonrise Kingdom", in which Bill Murray starred in 2012, in its list of greatest films of the twenty-first century.

2017: Inducted into the Irish-American Hall of Fame

In 2017, Bill Murray and Martin Sheen were inducted into the Irish-American Hall of Fame.

2017: New Worlds Album Release

In 2017, Bill Murray released a studio album entitled "New Worlds" featuring singing and literary recitations with classical musicians.

2018: Murray Bros. Caddy Shack Opens in Rosemont

In 2018, Bill Murray and his brothers opened a second Murray Bros. Caddy Shack restaurant inside the Crowne Plaza Rosemont Hotel near O'Hare International Airport.

2018: SNL, Isle of Dogs and Zombieland: Double Tap Appearances

In 2018, Bill Murray portrayed Steve Bannon on "Saturday Night Live", was part of the cast of Wes Anderson's "Isle of Dogs", and reprised his role in "Zombieland: Double Tap."

2019: The Dead Don't Die Release

In 2019, Bill Murray starred in Jim Jarmusch's zombie-comedy "The Dead Don't Die."

April 3, 2020: The French Dispatch Pulled From Schedule

On April 3, 2020, "The French Dispatch", in which Bill Murray appeared, was pulled from the release schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 12, 2020: The French Dispatch Cannes Film Festival Premiere Cancelled

On May 12, 2020, the premiere of "The French Dispatch" at the Cannes Film Festival, where Bill Murray had a small role, was originally scheduled but then cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 23, 2020: The French Dispatch Pulled from Schedule Again

On July 23, 2020, "The French Dispatch" was once again pulled from the schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

October 2, 2020: On the Rocks Theatrical Release

On October 2, 2020, the comedy-drama "On the Rocks", starring Bill Murray and Rashida Jones, had a limited theatrical release by A24.

October 16, 2020: The French Dispatch Rescheduled Release

On October 16, 2020, the release of "The French Dispatch", which features Bill Murray, was rescheduled before being pulled again.

October 23, 2020: On the Rocks Digital Release

On October 23, 2020, "On the Rocks", starring Bill Murray and Rashida Jones, was digitally released on Apple TV+.

January 19, 2021: Death of Butler

On January 19, 2021, Bill Murray's ex-wife, Butler, passed away.

October 2021: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Casting

In October 2021, Bill Murray joined the cast of "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania", a superhero film set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

October 22, 2021: The French Dispatch Release

In 2021, specifically on October 22, "The French Dispatch", featuring Bill Murray, was finally released after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Ghostbusters: Afterlife Release

In 2021, Bill Murray appeared in "Ghostbusters: Afterlife."

April 2022: Production of Being Mortal Suspended

In April 2022, production of "Being Mortal" was suspended after Bill Murray was accused of unspecified "inappropriate behavior".

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2022: The Greatest Beer Run Ever Debut

In 2022, Bill Murray appeared in "The Greatest Beer Run Ever", which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival and later on Apple TV+.

2022: New Worlds: The Cradle of Civilization Release

In 2022, Bill Murray recited poetry and sang with cellist Jan Vogler in a recorded production of "New Worlds: The Cradle of Civilization", which was released in cinemas.

2023: Bill Murray Sells Interest in St. Paul Saints

In 2023, Bill Murray sold his interest in the St. Paul Saints, a Minor League Baseball team he co-owned.

2024: The Friend Premiere

In 2024, Bill Murray starred opposite Naomi Watts in the comedy "The Friend", which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival.

2025: Murray Elaborates on Being Mortal Incident

In 2025, Bill Murray elaborated on the incident that led to the suspension of 'Being Mortal,' stating that he kissed a masked female colleague, believing it was funny as he had done this to others before.

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2025: The Phoenician Scheme Reunion and SNL Appearance

In 2025, Bill Murray will reunite with Wes Anderson in "The Phoenician Scheme" and return to "Saturday Night Live" for the 50th Anniversary Special.

2025: Special Dialogue with Murray and Bradshaw

In 2025, theatre scholar Octavian Saiu hosted a special dialogue with Bill Murray and Peter Bradshaw, discussing Murray's ability to bring out the light in others.