Bill Murray, the beloved comedian and actor known for his roles in “Ghostbusters,” “Groundhog Day,” and “Lost in Translation,” is celebrated for his dry humor and improvisational genius. However, behind the scenes, Murray has garnered a reputation for being difficult to work with, leading to several high-profile feuds. Despite his public persona as a charming and quirky entertainer, many of his colleagues have had less-than-pleasant experiences with him. Here are the stories of ten celebrities who have had notably contentious relationships with Bill Murray.
Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu’s animosity towards Bill Murray famously came to light during the filming of “Charlie’s Angels.” According to reports, Murray halted a scene to criticize Liu’s acting skills, telling her she didn’t belong in the film. Liu, understandably upset, confronted Murray, and the exchange reportedly escalated into a physical altercation. The incident created significant tension on set and has lingered in Hollywood lore as an example of Murray’s abrasive on-set behavior.
Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase and Bill Murray’s relationship has been tumultuous since their days on “Saturday Night Live.” The tension culminated in a physical fight backstage in 1978 when Chase returned to host the show after leaving the cast. The altercation was fueled by ego clashes and insults, and although they have worked together since, the animosity has never fully dissipated. Their rivalry is one of the most infamous in SNL history.
Seth Green
Seth Green has recounted an unsettling encounter with Bill Murray when he was a child actor. According to Green, Murray picked him up by his ankles and dangled him over a trash can during a taping of “Saturday Night Live.” The incident left Green traumatized, and he has spoken about it publicly as an example of Murray’s erratic and inappropriate behavior.
Anjelica Huston
Anjelica Huston’s dislike for Bill Murray stems from their time working on “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.” Huston claims that Murray was hostile towards her throughout the shoot, refusing to speak to her and excluding her from social gatherings with the rest of the cast. This treatment left Huston feeling isolated and disrespected, souring her view of Murray permanently.
Solange Knowles
Solange Knowles had an unpleasant run-in with Bill Murray at a party, where he reportedly made an inappropriate comment about her appearance. Solange, known for her strong sense of self and unwillingness to tolerate disrespect, publicly criticized Murray for his behavior, adding her voice to the chorus of those who have found him abrasive and offensive.
McG
Director McG’s feud with Bill Murray dates back to the filming of “Charlie’s Angels.” McG claims that Murray head-butted him during an argument on set. Murray has denied the incident, but McG stands by his account, describing the altercation as part of the difficult working environment created by Murray. The tension between the actor and director further complicated the already fraught production.
Jennifer Butler
Jennifer Butler, Bill Murray’s ex-wife, has spoken out against him in the context of their divorce. Butler accused Murray of infidelity, addiction, and abusive behavior, painting a picture of a troubled and volatile relationship. Her allegations contributed to the narrative of Murray as a complex and often difficult individual, both personally and professionally.
Harold Ramis
One of the most heartbreaking feuds involving Bill Murray was with his longtime collaborator and friend, Harold Ramis. The two had a falling out during the filming of “Groundhog Day,” with disagreements over the tone and direction of the film leading to a rift. The conflict was so severe that they didn’t speak for over two decades. They reconciled shortly before Ramis’s death, but the years of estrangement left a lasting mark on both men.
Rob Schneider
Rob Schneider has publicly expressed his frustration with Bill Murray, citing an incident during the filming of “Saturday Night Live” where Murray was dismissive and rude to the cast and crew. Schneider has described Murray’s behavior as condescending, noting that it created a toxic atmosphere on set and left many feeling disrespected.
Laura Ziskin
Producer Laura Ziskin’s difficulties with Bill Murray occurred during the production of “What About Bob?” Ziskin described Murray as being difficult and unpredictable, including an incident where he threw her into a lake. Murray’s behavior caused significant stress and tension during the making of the film, contributing to his reputation for being challenging to work with.
In conclusion, while Bill Murray remains a beloved figure in popular culture, his off-screen behavior has led to several high-profile conflicts. Lucy Liu, Chevy Chase, Seth Green, Anjelica Huston, Solange Knowles, McG, Jennifer Butler, Harold Ramis, Rob Schneider, and Laura Ziskin have all had significant issues with Murray, each highlighting different aspects of his difficult and often abrasive personality. These stories provide a glimpse into the complicated dynamics that can exist behind the scenes in Hollywood, even involving some of its most cherished stars.
