Bill Murray is a celebrated American actor and comedian renowned for his trademark deadpan humor. His diverse filmography spans from mainstream comedies to independent dramas, showcasing his versatility. In recognition of his significant contributions to American humor, Murray was honored with the prestigious Mark Twain Prize in 2016.
1921: Birth of Bill Murray's Parents
Both of Bill Murray's parents, Lucille Collins and Edward Joseph Murray II, were born in 1921.
1939: N/A
This date is not related to Bill Murray but to the historical event depicted in the film "Hyde Park on Hudson."
September 21, 1950: Bill Murray is Born
On September 21, 1950, William James Murray, better known as Bill Murray, was born in Evanston, Illinois.
1967: Bill Murray's Father, Edward Joseph Murray II, Passes Away
Bill Murray's father, Edward Joseph Murray II, passed away in 1967 at the age of 46 due to complications from diabetes.
September 21, 1970: Bill Murray's Arrest for Cannabis Possession
On his 20th birthday, September 21, 1970, Bill Murray was arrested at Chicago's O'Hare Airport for attempting to smuggle cannabis.
1974: Bill Murray Moves to New York City
Bill Murray moved to New York City in 1974 to pursue opportunities in comedy.
1975: Bill Murray's First Television Role
Bill Murray landed his first television role in 1975 as a cast member on the ABC variety show "Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell."
1976: Bill Murray Gains Recognition in the Comedy Scene
Following the cancellation of "Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell," Bill Murray continued to work in comedy and rose to prominence in 1976.
1977: Bill Murray Joins Saturday Night Live
Bill Murray joined the cast of the renowned comedy show "Saturday Night Live" in 1977, marking a significant turning point in his career.
1977: Bill Murray's Tenure on "Saturday Night Live" Begins
Bill Murray's memorable run on "Saturday Night Live" commenced in 1977.
1978: Bill Murray Appears in Mockumentary "All You Need Is Cash"
Bill Murray appeared in the mockumentary "All You Need Is Cash" in 1978, a parody of The Beatles and their rise to fame.
1978: Brief Stint with the Grays Harbor Loggers Baseball Team
Bill Murray had a brief stint in minor league baseball in 1978, playing two at-bats for the Grays Harbor Loggers.
1978: Altercation with Chevy Chase
In 1978, Bill Murray and Chevy Chase had a physical altercation shortly before a Saturday Night Live broadcast, which was later resolved as they became friends again.
1979: Bill Murray Stars in "Meatballs"
In 1979, Bill Murray landed his first starring film role in the comedy "Meatballs."
1980: Bill Murray's Time on "Saturday Night Live" Concludes
After three seasons, Bill Murray's time on "Saturday Night Live" came to an end in 1980.
1980: Bill Murray Departs from Saturday Night Live
After three successful seasons, Bill Murray left "Saturday Night Live" in 1980 to pursue a career in film.
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.
1981: Bill Murray Stars in "Stripes"
Bill Murray starred in the comedy film "Stripes" in 1981, further solidifying his comedic presence in Hollywood.
February 1, 1982: Bill Murray as First Guest on "Late Night with David Letterman"
Bill Murray was the first guest on the premiere episode of NBC's "Late Night with David Letterman" on February 1, 1982.
1982: Bill Murray Appears in "Tootsie"
Bill Murray had a supporting role in the critically acclaimed comedy "Tootsie" in 1982.
1984: Bill Murray's "Ghostbusters" Breaks Records
Bill Murray starred in "Ghostbusters" in 1984, which went on to become the highest-grossing film of the year and the highest-grossing comedy ever at the time.
1986: Bill Murray Makes a Cameo in "Little Shop of Horrors"
In 1986, during his hiatus from acting, Bill Murray made a cameo appearance in the musical comedy horror film "Little Shop of Horrors."
1987: Donation to Nathalie Salmon House
In 1987, Bill Murray donated money to help build the Nathalie Salmon House, providing affordable housing for low-income seniors.
1988: Bill Murray Returns to Film with "Scrooged"
Bill Murray returned to acting in 1988 after a four-year hiatus, starring in the Christmas comedy "Scrooged."
1988: Bill Murray's Mother, Lucille Murray, Passes Away
Bill Murray's mother, Lucille Murray, passed away in 1988.
1989: "Ghostbusters II" is Released
Bill Murray reprised his iconic role as Peter Venkman in "Ghostbusters II," released in 1989.
1990: Co-directs "Quick Change"
In 1990, Bill Murray stepped behind the camera for the first and only time, co-directing the comedy "Quick Change" with producer Howard Franklin.
1991: Release of "What About Bob?"
Bill Murray starred in the comedy film "What About Bob?" in 1991.
1991: Stars in "What About Bob?"
Bill Murray starred alongside Richard Dreyfuss in the Frank Oz-directed comedy "What About Bob?" in 1991, which became a box-office success.
August 30, 1993: Bill Murray Appears on "Late Show with David Letterman" Premiere
Bill Murray appeared on the first episode of "Late Show with David Letterman" on August 30, 1993, when the show moved to CBS.
1993: Critical Acclaim for "Groundhog Day" and "Mad Dog and Glory"
1993 marked a high point for Bill Murray with the release of two critically acclaimed films. "Groundhog Day," directed by Harold Ramis, showcased Murray's comedic genius, while his performance alongside Robert De Niro and Uma Thurman in "Mad Dog and Glory" earned him praise for his versatility.
1993: Bill Murray's Iconic Performance in "Groundhog Day"
In 1993, Bill Murray starred in the critically acclaimed comedy "Groundhog Day," which has since become a cult classic.
1994: Bill Murray Stars in Tim Burton's "Ed Wood"
Bill Murray had a supporting role in Tim Burton's biographical comedy-drama "Ed Wood" in 1994.
1994: Appears in Tim Burton's "Ed Wood"
In 1994, Bill Murray took on a supporting role in Tim Burton's biographical comedy-drama "Ed Wood."
1996: Stars in "Kingpin" and "Space Jam"
Bill Murray appeared in two comedies in 1996: Peter Farrelly's "Kingpin" and the Looney Tunes live-action film "Space Jam," where he played himself alongside basketball legend Michael Jordan.
1996: Bill Murray Joins the Cast of "Kingpin"
Bill Murray starred in the Farrelly brothers' comedy film "Kingpin" in 1996.
1998: Bill Murray Collaborates with Wes Anderson on "Rushmore"
Bill Murray's collaboration with director Wes Anderson began in 1998 with the comedy-drama film "Rushmore."
1998: Earns Acclaim for "Rushmore"
Bill Murray's performance in Wes Anderson's coming-of-age comedy "Rushmore" in 1998 earned him widespread critical acclaim and several awards, marking a resurgence in his career.
1999: Explores Dramatic Roles in "Wild Things" and "Cradle Will Rock"
Continuing his foray into dramatic roles, Bill Murray starred in "Wild Things" and "Cradle Will Rock" in 1999, demonstrating his acting range.
2000: Portrays Polonius in "Hamlet"
In 2000, Bill Murray took on the role of Polonius in Michael Almereyda's adaptation of Shakespeare's "Hamlet," starring alongside Ethan Hawke.
2001: Reunites with Wes Anderson for "The Royal Tenenbaums"
Bill Murray rejoined director Wes Anderson for the ensemble comedy-drama "The Royal Tenenbaums" in 2001, playing the part of Raleigh St. Clair.
2001: Bill Murray Lends His Voice to "Osmosis Jones"
Bill Murray provided a voice role in the animated action-comedy film "Osmosis Jones" in 2001.
2003: Cameo in "Coffee and Cigarettes"
Bill Murray made a brief cameo appearance as himself in Jim Jarmusch's anthology film "Coffee and Cigarettes" in 2003.
2003: Bill Murray's Acclaimed Performance in "Lost in Translation"
Bill Murray received critical acclaim for his performance in Sofia Coppola's comedy-drama "Lost in Translation" in 2003, earning him a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Award, as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
2003: Murray nominated for Academy Award
Bill Murray was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in "Lost in Translation" in 2003.
2003: Stars in "Lost in Translation"
Bill Murray's performance in Sofia Coppola's "Lost in Translation" in 2003 earned him widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards, including a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Award. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor.
2003: Film producer Laura Ziskin confirms disagreement with Murray
During the making of "What About Bob?", Bill Murray and co-star Richard Dreyfuss, along with producer Laura Ziskin, had several disagreements. In 2003, Ziskin confirmed Murray tossed her into a lake, threatened to throw her across a parking lot, broke, and threw her sunglasses.
2004: Voices Garfield in "Garfield: The Movie"
Bill Murray provided the voice for the titular feline in "Garfield: The Movie" in 2004.
2004: Release of "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou"
Bill Murray starred in Wes Anderson's comedy-drama "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou," released in 2004.
2004: Collaborates with Wes Anderson on "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou"
Bill Murray teamed up with Wes Anderson for the third time in "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" in 2004, playing the lead role of oceanographer Steve Zissou.
2005: Stars in Jim Jarmusch's "Broken Flowers"
In 2005, Bill Murray starred in Jim Jarmusch's "Broken Flowers," delivering a performance that earned him further critical acclaim. He announced a hiatus from acting after this film.
2005: Bill Murray Stars in "Broken Flowers"
In 2005, Bill Murray starred in Jim Jarmusch's comedy-drama "Broken Flowers."
2006: Reprises Garfield Voice in "Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties"
Bill Murray reprised his role as the voice of Garfield in the sequel "Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties" in 2006.
July 28, 2007: MC at Crossroads Guitar Festival
On July 28, 2007, Bill Murray served as the MC for Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival, dressing in various guises of Clapton through the years.
2007: Pulled over in Sweden
In 2007, Bill Murray was pulled over by Swedish police on suspicion of driving a golf cart under the influence of alcohol.
2007: Bill Murray Receives Honorary Doctorate
Regis University awarded Bill Murray an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in 2007.
May 12, 2008: Divorce Filing by Jennifer Butler
On May 12, 2008, Jennifer Butler filed for divorce from Bill Murray, accusing him of domestic violence, infidelity, and addictions.
June 13, 2008: Divorce Finalized
On June 13, 2008, Bill Murray's divorce from Jennifer Butler was finalized.
2008: Appears in "City of Ember"
Bill Murray returned to the screen in 2008 with a role in the post-apocalyptic film "City of Ember."
2008: Residence in Greenwich Village
Between 2008 and 2013, Bill Murray maintained a residence in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan.
2009: Stars in "Get Low" and "Zombieland"; Voices Mr. Badger in "Fantastic Mr. Fox"
Bill Murray had a busy 2009, starring in the independent film "Get Low," making a memorable cameo in the zombie comedy "Zombieland," and lending his voice to the animated film "Fantastic Mr. Fox."
2009: Bill Murray Voices a Character in "Fantastic Mr. Fox"
Bill Murray lent his voice to Wes Anderson's stop-motion animated comedy film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in 2009.
2009: Murray and Ramis collaborate on "Ghostbusters: The Video Game"
Despite their falling out, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis collaborated on "Ghostbusters: The Video Game" in 2009.
2009: Director McG alleges headbutt from Murray
Director McG alleged in 2009 that Bill Murray headbutted him during the making of "Charlie's Angels", an allegation Murray denies.
January 31, 2012: Bill Murray's 30th Anniversary on Letterman's Show
Bill Murray made a special appearance on "Late Show with David Letterman" on January 31, 2012, marking the 30th anniversary of his first appearance on Letterman's show.
2012: Portrays Franklin D. Roosevelt in "Hyde Park on Hudson"
Bill Murray portrayed President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the historical comedy "Hyde Park on Hudson" in 2012, earning a Golden Globe Award nomination for his performance.
2012: Induction into the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame
Bill Murray was inducted into the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame in 2012 for his ownership and investment in minor league baseball teams.
2012: Bill Murray Stars in "Moonrise Kingdom"
In 2012, Bill Murray appeared in Wes Anderson's coming-of-age comedy-drama "Moonrise Kingdom."
2012: Release of Moonrise Kingdom
In 2012, Bill Murray starred in Wes Anderson's coming-of-age comedy "Moonrise Kingdom," featuring an ensemble cast including Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, and Tilda Swinton. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was a critical and commercial success.
February 2014: Murray reconciles with Harold Ramis
Bill Murray reconciled with Harold Ramis shortly before Ramis's death in February 2014 after a long period of not speaking due to a falling out during the making of "Groundhog Day".
2014: Interview on Catholicism
In a 2014 interview, Bill Murray expressed affection for the Traditional Latin Mass and concerns about changes within the Mass of Paul VI.
2014: Appearance in "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and Ensemble Award
In 2014, Bill Murray had a role in Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel." The film, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, became Anderson's most commercially successful film and received critical acclaim, earning multiple Academy Award nominations. Murray, alongside the cast, won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
2014: Bill Murray Wins Emmy Award for "Olive Kitteridge"
Bill Murray won his second Primetime Emmy Award in 2014 for his performance in the HBO miniseries "Olive Kitteridge."
2014: Roles in "The Monuments Men" and "St. Vincent"
Bill Murray starred in George Clooney's World War II drama "The Monuments Men" and the coming-of-age film "St. Vincent" in 2014. His performance as a grumpy but lovable veteran in "St. Vincent" earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination.
2014: Bill Murray Appears in "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Bill Murray had a role in Wes Anderson's acclaimed comedy-drama "The Grand Budapest Hotel," which was released in 2014.
May 20, 2015: Bill Murray's Farewell Appearance on Letterman's Show
Bill Murray appeared as David Letterman's final guest on "Late Show with David Letterman" on May 20, 2015, before Letterman's retirement.
2015: Disastrous Meeting with Nick Nolte
According to a 2015 book, Bill Murray had a disastrous meeting with Nick Nolte that caused both of them to turn down roles in About Last Night (1986).
2015: Murray inducted into Caddie Hall of Fame
Bill Murray was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame in 2015.
2015: Starring Role in "Rock the Kasbah"
In 2015, Bill Murray starred as a music manager in the film "Rock the Kasbah."
July 15, 2016: Cameo in "Ghostbusters" Reboot
Bill Murray made a cameo appearance as Martin Heiss, a cynical ghost debunker, in the 2016 reboot of "Ghostbusters," released on July 15, 2016.
2016: Bill Murray Lends His Voice to "The Jungle Book"
Bill Murray provided a voice role in Jon Favreau's live-action/CGI adaptation of "The Jungle Book" in 2016.
2016: Voice Role in Disney's "The Jungle Book"
Bill Murray provided the voice for Baloo in Jon Favreau's live-action adaptation of Disney's "The Jungle Book" in 2016. His performance was praised for its comedic timing.
2016: Bill Murray Receives Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Bill Murray was honored with the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2016, recognizing his significant contributions to comedy.
2016: Moonrise Kingdom Named One of BBC's Greatest Films of the 21st Century
In 2016, "Moonrise Kingdom" was included in the BBC's list of greatest films of the 21st century.
2016: Chicago Cubs World Series Victory
In 2016, Bill Murray attended the historic Game Seven victory of the Chicago Cubs during the World Series and sang 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' at Wrigley Field.
2016: Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
In 2016, Bill Murray was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor by the Kennedy Center, recognizing his iconic status and contributions to American popular culture.
2016: Launch of William Murray Golf
In 2016, on his birthday, Bill Murray, along with his brother Joel, launched an apparel brand called William Murray Golf.
2017: Murray inducted into Irish-American Hall of Fame
Bill Murray, along with Martin Sheen, was inducted into the Irish-American Hall of Fame in 2017.
2017: Release of New Worlds
In 2017, Bill Murray recorded and released a studio album called New Worlds, featuring singing and literary recitations with classical musicians, through Verve Records.
2018: Return to "Saturday Night Live" and Role in "Isle of Dogs"
Bill Murray returned to "Saturday Night Live" in 2018, portraying Steve Bannon. He also lent his voice to Wes Anderson's animated film "Isle of Dogs" that same year.
2018: Remarks on Trump Tax Cuts
In a 2018 interview, Bill Murray praised the Trump tax cuts as beneficial for corporations and commented on the Democrats' strategy, suggesting it was poorly handled.
2018: Opening of Second Murray Bros. Caddy Shack Restaurant
The second Murray Bros. Caddy Shack restaurant location opened in 2018 inside the Crowne Plaza Rosemont Hotel near O'Hare International Airport.
2018: Bill Murray Voices a Character in "Isle of Dogs"
Bill Murray lent his voice to Wes Anderson's stop-motion animated comedy-drama film "Isle of Dogs," released in 2018.
2019: Ensemble Role in Jim Jarmusch's "The Dead Don't Die"
In 2019, Bill Murray was part of the ensemble cast in Jim Jarmusch's zombie comedy "The Dead Don't Die," alongside Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, Selena Gomez, and Chloë Sevigny.
2019: Richard Dreyfuss alleges verbal abuse by Murray
Richard Dreyfuss alleged in 2019 that during the making of "What About Bob?", Bill Murray screamed at him, used abusive language, and threw an ashtray at him.
February 2, 2020: Super Bowl Commercial Referencing "Groundhog Day"
On February 2, 2020, a Super Bowl commercial featuring Bill Murray aired, humorously referencing his iconic role in "Groundhog Day."
April 3, 2020: "The French Dispatch" Pulled from Release Schedule
On April 3, 2020, "The French Dispatch" was removed from its release schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 12, 2020: "The French Dispatch" Premiere Originally Scheduled
The premiere of Wes Anderson's "The French Dispatch," in which Bill Murray appeared, was initially scheduled for May 12, 2020, at the Cannes Film Festival. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to its postponement.
July 23, 2020: "The French Dispatch" Postponed Again
The release of "The French Dispatch" was postponed once more on July 23, 2020, as the COVID-19 situation continued.
October 2, 2020: Theatrical Release of "On the Rocks"
Bill Murray reunited with Sofia Coppola for the comedy-drama "On the Rocks," co-starring Rashida Jones, which had a limited theatrical release on October 2, 2020.
October 16, 2020: New Release Date Set for "The French Dispatch"
A new release date of October 16, 2020, was set for "The French Dispatch," but the ongoing pandemic caused further delays.
October 23, 2020: Digital Streaming Release of "On the Rocks"
"On the Rocks" was released for digital streaming on Apple TV+ on October 23, 2020, following its limited theatrical run.
2020: Dreyfuss confirms forgiving Murray
In 2020, Richard Dreyfuss confirmed that he forgave Bill Murray for his actions during the filming of "What About Bob?".
2020: Bill Murray Stars in Sofia Coppola's "On the Rocks"
Bill Murray reunited with director Sofia Coppola for the comedy-drama "On the Rocks," released in 2020.
2020: Bill Murray's Brother, Ed Murray, Passes Away
Bill Murray's brother, Ed Murray, passed away in 2020.
January 19, 2021: Death of Jennifer Butler
On January 19, 2021, Jennifer Butler, Bill Murray's second wife, passed away.
October 2021: Joining the Cast of "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania"
In October 2021, Bill Murray joined the cast of the Marvel Cinematic Universe film "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania."
October 22, 2021: Premiere and Release of "The French Dispatch"
"The French Dispatch" finally premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival and was released on October 22, 2021.
2021: Appearance in "Ghostbusters: Afterlife"
Bill Murray reprised his role as Peter Venkman in the sequel "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" in 2021.
2021: Reprising Role in "Ghostbusters: Afterlife"
Bill Murray reprised his role as Peter Venkman in "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" (2021), directed by Jason Reitman. The film saw the return of original cast members, including Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, and Annie Potts, and was both a critical and commercial success.
2021: Bill Murray Returns for "Ghostbusters: Afterlife"
Bill Murray reprised his iconic role as Peter Venkman in the sequel "Ghostbusters: Afterlife," released in 2021.
April 2022: Production of "Being Mortal" suspended
In April 2022, production of "Being Mortal" was suspended after Bill Murray was accused of "inappropriate behavior."
October 2022: Geena Davis and Seth Green make allegations against Murray
In October 2022, Geena Davis alleged in her memoir that Bill Murray harassed her during the filming of "Quick Change", and Seth Green alleged that Murray dangled him over a garbage can when he was nine years old.
2022: Release of New Worlds: The Cradle of Civilization
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: Selling Stake in the St. Paul Saints
Bill Murray sold his ownership interest in the St. Paul Saints minor league baseball team in 2023.
2023: Support for UConn Huskies
In 2023, Bill Murray attended several games of the UConn Huskies men's basketball team, where his son Luke is an assistant coach, including their championship run in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
2024: "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire"
Bill Murray is set to reprise his role as Peter Venkman in the upcoming "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire," scheduled for release in 2024.