Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bill Murray
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Bill Murray made an impact.
Bill Murray is a celebrated American actor and comedian. He is widely recognized for his distinctive deadpan comedic style and versatility, which has allowed him to excel in both mainstream comedy films and critically acclaimed independent dramas. Murray's career spans several decades, and he has become a significant figure in American entertainment, known for his unique approach to acting and his contributions to popular culture.
1939: Setting of Hyde Park on Hudson
The film "Hyde Park on Hudson," starring Bill Murray, focused on the 1939 visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to the Roosevelts' home.
1974: Joins The National Lampoon Radio Hour
In 1974, Bill Murray moved to New York City and was recruited by John Belushi as a featured player on The National Lampoon Radio Hour.
1975: Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell
In 1975, Bill Murray became a cast member of the ABC variety show Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell.
1976: Rises to Prominence
In 1976, after working with TVTV, Bill Murray rose to prominence and officially joined the cast of NBC's Saturday Night Live.
1977: Saturday Night Live
Bill Murray starred in Saturday Night Live in 1977.
1978: All You Need Is Cash
In 1978, Bill Murray appeared as "Bill Murray the K" in the mockumentary All You Need Is Cash, a parody of Murray the K and The Beatles documentary.
1978: Murray Confronts Chevy Chase Before SNL Broadcast
In 1978, prior to a Saturday Night Live broadcast, Bill Murray confronted Chevy Chase, who was guest hosting, resulting in a heated exchange of insults and a physical altercation witnessed by other cast members.
1979: Meatballs
In 1979, Bill Murray landed his first starring role with Meatballs.
1980: Saturday Night Live
Bill Murray starred in Saturday Night Live in 1980.
1980: Where the Buffalo Roam
In 1980, Bill Murray portrayed Hunter S. Thompson in "Where the Buffalo Roam".
February 1, 1982: Late Night with David Letterman
On February 1, 1982, Bill Murray was the first guest on NBC's Late Night with David Letterman.
1984: Ghostbusters
In 1984, Bill Murray starred as Dr. Peter Venkman in "Ghostbusters".
1986: Little Shop of Horrors
In 1986, Bill Murray had a supporting role in "Little Shop of Horrors".
1987: Murray Donates to Nathalie Salmon House
In 1987, Bill Murray made a donation to aid in the construction of the Nathalie Salmon House, which provides affordable housing for low-income seniors, showcasing his philanthropic efforts.
1988: Scrooged Return to Film
In 1988, Bill Murray returned to film with Scrooged after a four year hiatus.
1988: Murray donates to Bob Kerrey's Senate Campaign
In 1988, Murray donated $1,000 to Bob Kerrey's successful election campaign for the United States Senate, showcasing his support for the former Governor of Nebraska.
August 30, 1993: Late Show with David Letterman
On August 30, 1993, Bill Murray appeared on the first episode of the Late Show with David Letterman when the show moved to CBS.
1993: Groundhog Day
In 1993, Bill Murray starred in Groundhog Day, earning critical acclaim.
1994: Ed Wood
In 1994, Bill Murray appeared in a supporting role in Tim Burton's Ed Wood.
1996: Kingpin and Space Jam
In 1996, Bill Murray appeared in supporting roles in "Kingpin" and appeared as himself in "Space Jam".
1997: The Man Who Knew Too Little
In 1997, Bill Murray starred in "The Man Who Knew Too Little".
1998: Rushmore
In 1998, Bill Murray collaborated with director Wes Anderson in Rushmore, earning an Independent Spirit Award.
1999: Cradle Will Rock
In 1999, Bill Murray took on more dramatic roles in "Cradle Will Rock".
2000: Hamlet
In 2000, Bill Murray portrayed Polonius in Michael Almereyda's Hamlet.
2001: The Royal Tenenbaums
In 2001, Bill Murray appeared in Wes Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums".
2001: Osmosis Jones
In 2001, Bill Murray had a supporting role in "Osmosis Jones".
2003: Nominated for Academy Award for Lost in Translation
In 2003, Bill Murray received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation, marking a significant achievement in his acting career.
2003: Lost in Translation
In 2003, Bill Murray starred in Lost in Translation, earning numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe and BAFTA Award.
2004: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
In 2004, Bill Murray appeared in "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou".
2004: Garfield: The Movie
In 2004, Bill Murray voiced Garfield in Garfield: The Movie.
2006: Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties
In 2006, Bill Murray reprised his role as the voice of Garfield in Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties.
July 28, 2007: Crossroads Guitar Festival MC
On July 28, 2007, Bill Murray was the MC for Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival.
2007: The Darjeeling Limited
In 2007, Bill Murray appeared in "The Darjeeling Limited".
2008: Get Smart and City of Ember
In 2008, Bill Murray had a cameo in Peter Segal's Get Smart and played an important role in City of Ember.
2009: Fantastic Mr. Fox
In 2009, Bill Murray acted in "Fantastic Mr. Fox".
2009: Murray and Ramis Participate in Ghostbusters Video Game
In 2009, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis, despite past disagreements, both took part in Ghostbusters: The Video Game, marking a professional collaboration after their falling out.
2009: Get Low, Zombieland and Fantastic Mr. Fox
In 2009, Bill Murray starred in Get Low, played himself in Zombieland, and voiced Mr. Badger in Fantastic Mr. Fox.
2010: Crossroads Guitar Festival MC
In 2010, Bill Murray served as MC again for Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival.
2010: Continued Wes Anderson collaborations
Since 2010, Murray has continued to appear in Wes Anderson films.
January 31, 2012: Late Show with David Letterman
On January 31, 2012, Bill Murray appeared on David Letterman's talk show, 30 years after his first appearance.
2012: Moonrise Kingdom and Hyde Park on Hudson
In 2012, Bill Murray appeared in "Moonrise Kingdom" and "Hyde Park on Hudson".
2012: Moonrise Kingdom Release
In 2012, Bill Murray appeared in Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom", which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and became a critical and box office success.
2012: Induction into 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.
2012: Hyde Park on Hudson Release
In 2012, Murray starred as Franklin D. Roosevelt in "Hyde Park on Hudson", receiving critical praise and a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
2014: The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Monuments Men
In 2014, Bill Murray appeared in "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and "The Monuments Men".
2014: Olive Kitteridge
In 2014, Bill Murray earned his second Primetime Emmy Award for his role in the HBO miniseries Olive Kitteridge.
2014: The Monuments Men and St. Vincent Release
In 2014, Bill Murray starred in "The Monuments Men" and "St. Vincent", receiving a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the latter.
2014: The Grand Budapest Hotel Release
In 2014, Murray made a comic turn in Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel," which received critical acclaim and won several Academy Awards. Murray also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for his ensemble work in the film.
May 20, 2015: Late Show with David Letterman
On May 20, 2015, Bill Murray appeared as David Letterman's final guest when the host retired.
2015: Rock the Kasbah
In 2015, Bill Murray appeared in "Rock the Kasbah".
July 15, 2016: Ghostbusters Reboot Appearance
On July 15, 2016, Bill Murray appeared in the "Ghostbusters" reboot as Martin Heiss, a cynical ghost debunker.
2016: The Jungle Book Voice Acting
In 2016, Murray voiced Baloo in Jon Favreau's "The Jungle Book," receiving praise for his comic performance and a nomination for Favorite Animated Movie Voice at the People's Choice Awards.
2016: William Murray Golf Launch
In 2016, on his birthday, Bill Murray and his brother Joel launched an apparel brand called William Murray Golf.
2017: New Worlds Album Recording
In 2017, Bill Murray recorded a studio album entitled "New Worlds" featuring singing and literary recitations with classical musicians.
2018: Second Murray Bros. Caddy Shack Opening
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.
2019: Crossroads Guitar Festival MC
In 2019, Bill Murray served as MC once more for Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival.
2019: The Dead Don't Die Release
In 2019, Bill Murray was part of the ensemble cast of Jim Jarmusch's zombie-comedy "The Dead Don't Die", which received mixed reviews.
April 3, 2020: The French Dispatch Pulled from Schedule
On April 3, 2020, "The French Dispatch" was pulled from the schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 12, 2020: Initial Planned Premiere of The French Dispatch
On May 12, 2020, "The French Dispatch" was initially set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 23, 2020: The French Dispatch Pulled Again
On July 23, 2020, "The French Dispatch" was pulled from the schedule again.
October 2, 2020: On the Rocks Theatrical Release
On October 2, 2020, "On the Rocks", starring Bill Murray, had a limited theatrical release.
October 16, 2020: The French Dispatch Rescheduled Release
On October 16, 2020, "The French Dispatch" was briefly rescheduled for release.
October 23, 2020: On the Rocks Streaming Release
On October 23, 2020, "On the Rocks", starring Bill Murray, was released for digital streaming on Apple TV+.
October 2021: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Casting
In October 2021, Murray joined the cast of "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania", set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
October 22, 2021: The French Dispatch Release
On October 22, 2021, "The French Dispatch", featuring Bill Murray, was released after delays.
2021: Ghostbusters: Afterlife Appearance
In 2021, Bill Murray appeared in "Ghostbusters: Afterlife."
2021: The French Dispatch
In 2021, Bill Murray appeared in "The French Dispatch".
2022: New Worlds: The Cradle of Civilization Release
In 2022, Bill Murray recited poetry and sang with the cellist Jan Vogler, in a recorded production of "New Worlds: The Cradle of Civilization," which was released in cinemas.
2022: The Greatest Beer Run Ever Release
In 2022, Murray appeared in Peter Farrelly's "The Greatest Beer Run Ever", which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival.
2023: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
In 2023, Bill Murray appeared in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania".
2023: Sale of St. Paul Saints Interest
In 2023, Bill Murray sold his interest in the St. Paul Saints, a Minor League Baseball team.
