Bill Murray: From Comedian to Master Thespian

When 27-year old Bill Murray, a talented young member of Chicago’s “Second City” comedy group, joined the cast of the wildly popular “Saturday Night Live” in 1977, he probably did not foresee the eclectic and unpredictable career on which he was about to embark. Murray quickly became one of the funniest and most popular cast members in “SNL” history, providing millions of people with uncontrollable belly laughs.

In 1980, he left “Saturday Night Live” after a surprisingly short three year stint. Murray, like many other “SNL” alumni, had his eyes set on tinsel town. After starring in such blockbuster hits as “Caddyshack” (1980), “Stripes” (1981), and “Ghostbusters” (1984), Murray became one of the biggest comedy stars of the 1980’s. His dry, deadpan delivery and sarcastic sense of humor struck a cord in audiences everywhere. Unlike many comedic actors who would have been happy simply to get big bucks and star in a dozen variations of the same premise, Murray was never satisfied with simply making people laugh. “The Razor’s Edge” (1984), which Murray also co-produced, was a serious film about a World War 1 veteran who returns to America looking for the meaning of life. Although the film failed at the box office, it foreshadowed Murray’s loftier career ambitions.

After the disappointment of “The Razor’s Edge,” Murray concentrated mainly on comedic films throughout the late 80’s and early 90’s. One of the best films from this period, “Groundhog Day (1993),” about a cynical weatherman who lives the same day over and over again, featured Murray in fine, hilarious form with a smart, witty script to boot.

However, it was Wes Anderson’s “Rushmore” (1998) that proved to be the turning point in Murray’s career. Although Murray had played cynical characters before, he had never done so with as much emotional depth and sadness as he brought to the supporting role of lonely business tycoon Herman Blume. Murray garnered much critical praise for his performance and won several acting prizes. Although, Murray did not receive an academy award nomination, “Rushmore” served as a transition from his past roles as a smart, laidback funnyman to his future roles as a complex, sympathetic lead actor.

Murray’s next great performance came in 2003, with his poignant and nuanced portrayal of fading movie star Bob Harris in Sofia Coppola’s beautiful “Lost in Translation.” Once again, Murray received many accolades for his surprisingly vulnerable performance. However, this time, Murray did get nominated for an Academy Award—for best actor. Although he lost to Sean Penn, “Lost in Translation” proved to audiences everywhere that Murray had crossed over to being not only one of the funniest actors alive, but also one of the best.

In his most recent film, Jim Jarmusch’s quirky “Broken Flowers” (2005), Murray plays an over-the-hill bachelor who receives a mysterious letter claiming that he has a 19 year old son. He then sets out on a journey all over the country to visit the four possible women that might be the mother. As in the two roles previously mentioned, Murray plays a sad, lonely man searching for someone with whom to connect. Also present in all three films is Murray’s sly, deadpan humor. Many of the funniest moments in “Broken Flowers” come not from dialogue, but from Murray’s physical movements and subtle facial expressions. Although he says not a word in many scenes, we know instantly what he is feeling.

Working with independent auteurs like Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola, and Jim Jarmusch has challenged him to create deeper, more complex characters than the ones he played in the 80’s. Murray has recently announced he is leaving the limelight for some time to get some much needed relaxation. Let us hope it is not for too long though, for who knows where Bill Murray’s brilliant and unpredictable career will take us next.