Bill Murray on Fame and Mistakes: 'It Makes You Do a Lot of Stupid Things'
BILL MURRAY UNLEASHES ON HOLLYWOOD, CLAIMS FAME "CAN MAKE YOU DO A LOT OF STUPID THINGS"
In a shocking and candid interview with The Times, two-time Golden Globe winner and Oscar-nominee Bill Murray revealed the darker side of fame. At 74 years young, Murray has seen it all - from the highs of blockbuster success to the lows of A-list scandals. And he's not afraid to share his story.
Murray shot to stardom in the 1970s, but it wasn't until he made his mark on Hollywood that he realized fame had its price. "You have to have an ego to work with," he admitted. "You need it to get the job done." But what happens when that ego gets out of control? Murray confessed that during his early days in Hollywood, he "lost control for a year or two." The chaos and recklessness that followed would haunt him for years to come.
As he reflected on his past mistakes, Murray acknowledged that fame can indeed make you do some pretty crazy things. "You make a lot of mistakes, you do a lot of stupid things," he said bluntly. "And you allow people to fluff you up." It's a candid admission from a man who has been in the spotlight for over four decades.
But Murray's latest controversy is still fresh on everyone's minds - his role in the scandal that doomed his film Being Mortal from being released in 2022. The incident, which was met with widespread criticism and outrage, left Murray's reputation in tatters. In an interview with the New York Times over the weekend, he opened up about the aftermath of the investigation.
"I don't go too many days or weeks without thinking of what happened in Being Mortal," Murray confessed. "It's a constant reminder of the dangers of fame and the importance of being mindful of one's actions." The incident still lingers, a painful reminder of the consequences of allowing his ego to get the best of him.
But that wasn't the only controversy surrounding Murray during his promotional tour for his new film, The Friend. He was again at the center of attention when he grabbed co-star Naomi Watts and kissed her unprompted on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. It was a move many saw as a repeat of the same behavior that got him into trouble in the first place.
In a shocking turn of events, Murray shared his recollection of the circumstances leading up to the complaint against him on Being Mortal. The film, which was set to be the directorial debut of its star Aziz Ansari, was shot during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The cast and crew were stuck in one room, wearing masks, trying to make sense of a chaotic scene.
Murray recounted that he gave an unnamed female crew member a kiss through her mask. "It wasn't like I touched her," he explained, downplaying the incident. But what's clear is that Murray's actions were not just a harmless gesture - they were a symptom of a deeper problem.
The aftermath of the complaint was a disaster for Murray. He described feeling "barbecued" by HR and subsequent arbitration. The process, which he dubbed "lunatic," left him feeling prejudiced against. In the end, he paid a $100,000 settlement to the woman in 2022 - a price tag that still echoes through his mind.
Murray's story is a cautionary tale of what happens when fame gets out of control. His candid admissions and criticisms of Hollywood's system are a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked ego and power. As he moves forward, Murray's message is clear: beware the dark side of fame - it can make you do some very stupid things.
Sources:
- The Times
- New York Times
Photo Credits: Getty Images