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Bill Murray biography

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Quick Facts

  • NAME: William J. Murray
  • OCCUPATION: Film Actor, Television Actor, Radio Personality
  • BIRTH DATE: September 21, 1950 (Age: 61)
  • EDUCATION: George Mason University, Regis University
  • PLACE OF BIRTH: Wilmette, Illinois
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Best Known For

Comedian and actor Bill Murray is best know for being on the show Saturday Night Live, and for starring in classic comedy films such as Caddy Shack and Stripes.

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Synopsis

Bill Murray was born September 21, 1950 in Wilmette, Illinois. He eventually relocated to New York City where he took his comedic talents on air in National Lampoon Hour. In 1975, he was in an off-Broadway spin-off of the radio show when Howard Cosell recruited him for Saturday Night Live. It was on the set that he created the comedic character that became his calling card for many films to come.

Early Career

Born William J. Murray on September 21, 1950 in Wilmette, Illinois. The fifth of nine children, Murray was a self-proclaimed troublemaker, whether it was getting kicked out of Little League or being arrested at age 20 for attempting to smuggle close to nine pounds of marijuana through Chicago's O'Hare Airport. In an attempt to find direction in his life, he joined his older brother, Brian Doyle-Murray, in the cast of Chicago's Second City improvisational comedy troupe.

He eventually relocated to New York City where he took his comedic talents on air in National Lampoon Hour alongside Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner and John Belushi. In 1975, both Murray brothers were in an off-Broadway spin-off of the radio show when Bill was spotted by sportscaster Howard Cosell, who recruited him for the cast of his ABC variety program, Saturday Night Live With Howard Cosell. On NBC, a program also named Saturday Night Live was creating a much bigger sensation. A year later producer Lorne Michaels tapped Murray to replace Chevy Chase, who had moved on to pursue a film career.

It was on the set of Saturday Night Live that Murray created the sleazy, insincere comedic character that became his calling card for many films to come. He also earned an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for his work on the show. His first major film role was in the 1979 box office hit Meatballs. This was followed by the biography flop Where the Buffalo Roam, where Murray starred as gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. In 1980, he redeemed himself by going back to his comedic roots with the cult classic Caddyshack. The roll continued with the army farce Stripes in 1981, Tootsie in 1982, and Ghostbusters in 1984 with Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. The comedy was one of the decade's biggest hits, spawning a cartoon series, action figures and even a chart-topping theme song.

Murray's next move caught loyal fans off
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