Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bill Murray

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Bill Murray made an impact.

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

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.

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.

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.

2007: The Darjeeling Limited Cameo

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

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: 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.

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.

July 15, 2016: Ghostbusters Reboot Release

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

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: 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+.

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."

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.