What Happened to Bill Murray?
Bill Murray is an iconic American actor and comedian known for his deadpan delivery and versatile roles across comedies and dramas. While continuing his prolific acting career with recent films like "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" (2024) and upcoming projects such as "The Friend" and "Riff Raff" (both 2025), he has also ventured into music with his band, The Blood Brothers, and faced public scrutiny over a 2022 misconduct allegation that halted production on the film "Being Mortal." As of March 2026, Murray remains active in the public eye, notably supporting his son's collegiate basketball coaching career.
Quick Answer
Bill Murray continues to be an active and prominent figure in entertainment as of March 2026. He recently appeared in "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" (2024) and has upcoming films like "The Friend" and "Riff Raff" slated for 2025. Beyond acting, Murray has embarked on a musical tour with his band, The Blood Brothers, in 2025. He also made headlines for a 2022 on-set misconduct allegation that suspended the film "Being Mortal," an incident he has since publicly addressed. Most recently, he has been seen supporting his son, Luke Murray, at NCAA basketball games, following Luke's appointment as head coach at Boston College.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
First Television Role on The National Lampoon Show
Bill Murray began his television career on 'The National Lampoon Show' before joining the cast of 'Saturday Night Live'.
Joins Saturday Night Live
Murray officially joined the cast of NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' for its second season, where he gained national recognition and developed his comedic persona.
Stars in First Major Film 'Meatballs'
Murray landed his first starring film role in the summer camp comedy 'Meatballs', marking his transition to the big screen.
Stars in 'Ghostbusters'
Murray starred as Dr. Peter Venkman in the highly successful supernatural comedy 'Ghostbusters', which became one of the highest-grossing films of the decade.
Stars in 'Groundhog Day'
Murray delivered a memorable performance in the critically acclaimed comedy 'Groundhog Day', solidifying his status as a leading actor.
Critical Acclaim for 'Lost in Translation'
His performance in Sofia Coppola's 'Lost in Translation' earned him a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, showcasing his dramatic range.
Awarded Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Murray received the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, recognizing his significant contributions to comedy.
Reunites with Sofia Coppola for 'On the Rocks'
Murray starred opposite Rashida Jones in the comedy-drama 'On the Rocks', reuniting with director Sofia Coppola and receiving positive reviews for his performance.
Withdraws from Wes Anderson's 'Asteroid City' due to COVID-19
Murray was initially cast in Wes Anderson's film 'Asteroid City' but had to drop out before production began in September 2021 after contracting COVID-19, and was replaced by Steve Carell. The film was released in June 2023.
Production Halted on 'Being Mortal' Amid Misconduct Allegations
Filming for Aziz Ansari's directorial debut 'Being Mortal' was suspended due to a complaint of inappropriate behavior against Bill Murray, which later led to a reported settlement.
Appears in 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire'
Murray reprised his role as Dr. Peter Venkman in the latest installment of the Ghostbusters franchise, 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire'.
Trailers Released for 'The Friend' and 'Riff Raff'
Trailers for two upcoming films starring Bill Murray, 'The Friend' (with Naomi Watts) and the crime comedy 'Riff Raff' (with Pete Davidson and Ed Harris), were released, with both films expected in 2025.
Launches 'Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers' Tour
Murray embarked on a concert tour with his blues-rock band, The Blood Brothers, performing classic rock songs and holiday specials.
Attends UConn Elite Eight Game; Son Hired as Head Coach
Bill Murray was present at the UConn men's basketball Elite Eight game, supporting his son Luke Murray, who recently accepted the head coaching position at Boston College.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
William James Murray, born September 21, 1950, rose to prominence in the late 1970s as a cast member on NBC's Saturday Night Live, where his distinctive deadpan humor and improvisational style quickly made him a national presence. His film career blossomed with a string of successful comedies including Meatballs (1979), Caddyshack (1980), Stripes (1981), and the immensely popular Ghostbusters (1984). Murray later transitioned into more critically acclaimed dramatic and seriocomic roles, notably in Lost in Translation (2003), which earned him a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He has also become a frequent collaborator with director Wes Anderson, appearing in ten of his films, including Rushmore (1998), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).
In recent years, Murray has maintained a busy schedule, balancing his acting career with other ventures. He reprised his iconic role as Dr. Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, released in March 2024. However, his career faced a significant turning point in April 2022 when production on Aziz Ansari's directorial debut, Being Mortal, was halted due to a complaint of inappropriate behavior against Murray. Details later emerged that the complaint involved Murray allegedly straddling and kissing a younger female crew member through masks, leading to a reported $100,000 settlement. Murray addressed the incident in interviews in 2025, stating he felt "barbecued" and that he believed his actions, which he considered funny, were not received that way by the complainant. Director Aziz Ansari has expressed hope that the film, which was about three-quarters complete, might still be finished at some point.
Despite this controversy, Murray's artistic endeavors continued. He was slated to appear in Wes Anderson's Asteroid City (2023) but had to withdraw due to contracting COVID-19 before filming began in September 2021, with Steve Carell taking his place. Looking ahead, Murray has several projects in the pipeline, including the films The Friend and Riff Raff, both with trailers released in February 2025 and expected for release in 2025. The Friend sees him starring alongside Naomi Watts, while Riff Raff is a crime comedy featuring Pete Davidson and Ed Harris.
Beyond film, Murray has explored his musical talents, embarking on a concert tour with his blues-rock band, The Blood Brothers, which kicked off in January 2025. They performed holiday classics on an NBC special, "Christmas in Nashville," in December 2025. As of March 29, 2026, Murray remains a visible public figure, often seen supporting his son, Luke Murray, who is an assistant coach for the UConn men's basketball team. Luke Murray was recently hired as the head basketball coach for Boston College, a significant career move for his son that Bill Murray has publicly celebrated by attending NCAA tournament games.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Bill Murray made different choices?