Bill Murray is still finding fresh corners of the screen to surprise us. In May 2026 he was part of the ensemble in Andy Garcia's long-awaited Los Angeles noir Diamond, playing a bartender called Jimbo when the film premiered out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival. It followed a 2025 cameo as God in Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme.
Few performers have moved so gracefully from sketch comedy to blockbusters to quiet art-house roles, all built on deadpan timing and a twinkle that never fades. If you love the great faces of cinema, explore our Movie Stars collection.
Bill Murray Fact File
| Full name | William James Murray |
| Date of birth | 21 September 1950 (age 76) |
| Place of birth | Evanston, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, writer |
| Years active | 1973-present |
| Known for | Saturday Night Live, Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, Lost in Translation, Wes Anderson films |
| Nickname | "The Murricane" (coined by Dan Aykroyd) |
Career History
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1977-1980 | Saturday Night Live (TV) | Cast member |
| 1980 | Caddyshack | Carl Spackler |
| 1981 | Stripes | John Winger |
| 1984 | Ghostbusters | Dr Peter Venkman |
| 1993 | Groundhog Day | Phil Connors |
| 1998 | Rushmore | Herman Blume |
| 2003 | Lost in Translation | Bob Harris |
| 2009 | Fantastic Mr. Fox | Clive Badger (voice) |
| 2014 | The Grand Budapest Hotel | M. Ivan |
| 2024 | Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire | Dr Peter Venkman |
| 2025 | The Phoenician Scheme | God (cameo) |
| 2026 | Diamond | Jimbo |
A selection of best-known work, not a full filmography. Years are original release (premiere for Diamond), plus his SNL run as a regular.
Early Years: Chicago and Second City
Born in Evanston, near Chicago, Bill followed his older brother Brian Doyle-Murray into The Second City improv theatre, studying under Del Close. In 1974 he moved to New York and joined The National Lampoon Radio Hour. He joined Saturday Night Live in 1977 and became one of its brightest stars, sharing an Emmy for writing.
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Breakthrough: Caddyshack to Ghostbusters
Meatballs (1979) made him a leading man, and his greenkeeper in Caddyshack (1980) became legend, followed by Stripes (1981) and Tootsie (1982). Then came Ghostbusters (1984), where his wisecracking Peter Venkman anchored a defining comedy of the decade. That year he also co-wrote and starred in the drama The Razor's Edge.
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Defining Moments: Groundhog Day and Lost in Translation
Scrooged (1988) and What About Bob? (1991) kept the laughs coming, but Groundhog Day (1993) gave him something deeper: a cynical weatherman reliving one day. In 1998 Wes Anderson cast him in Rushmore, beginning a great partnership that includes The Life Aquatic and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation (2003) then earned him a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Later Career and Where Is He Now?
Murray has since won an Emmy for Olive Kitteridge, voiced Baloo in The Jungle Book (2016) and returned as Venkman in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024). In 2024 he also starred in The Friend and Riff Raff, and in 2025 returned for the SNL 50th Anniversary Special.
Awards and Honours
Film
- Academy Award nomination, Best Actor - Lost in Translation
- Golden Globe and BAFTA, Best Actor - Lost in Translation
- Two Independent Spirit Awards
- Screen Actors Guild ensemble award - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Television
- Primetime Emmy for writing - Saturday Night Live
- Primetime Emmy, Outstanding Supporting Actor (2015) - Olive Kitteridge
Career Honours
- Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2016)
- Caddie Hall of Fame (2015)
Away From the Spotlight
Murray is a devoted sports fan and a co-founder of the St. Paul Saints minor-league baseball team, selling his interest in 2023, and was inducted into the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame in 2012. He also runs the Murray Bros. Caddyshack restaurants with his brothers. Brothers Brian Doyle-Murray and Joel Murray are actors too.
FAQs
How old is Bill Murray?
Bill Murray was born on 21 September 1950, which makes him 76 years old as of October 2026.
What is Bill Murray's real name?
His full name is William James Murray. He was born in Evanston, Illinois.
Was Bill Murray on Saturday Night Live?
Yes. He was a cast member from 1977 to 1980, winning an Emmy for writing, and he returned for the show's 50th Anniversary Special in 2025.
What is Bill Murray's newest film?
His latest is Diamond, Andy Garcia's modern noir, which premiered at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival with Murray as the bartender Jimbo.
Has Bill Murray won an Oscar?
Not yet. He was nominated for Best Actor for Lost in Translation, a role that won him a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.
How many Wes Anderson films has Bill Murray been in?
He has appeared in most Wes Anderson features since Rushmore, including The French Dispatch and The Phoenician Scheme.
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Bill Murray Men's Hoodie
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Arnold Schwarzenegger: His Career, Films, Awards and Legacy and Tom Cruise Career Story: His Films, Stunts and Honorary Oscar.
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