William James Murray was born on September 21, 1950, in Wilmette, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago. He is the fifth of nine children in his family. His mother, Lucille Collins, worked as a mailroom clerk, while his father, Edward Joseph Murray II, was a lumber salesman. Of Irish descent, Murray grew up in a large, Catholic family where close siblings and humor played an integral role.
Several of his siblings pursued careers in entertainment. His brothers—Brian Doyle-Murray, Joel Murray, and John Murray—have all worked in film or television. As children, the Murray siblings often worked as golf caddies to help support the family, and Bill later used his earnings to attend Loyola Academy, a Jesuit high school where he participated in sports and theater, although he later admitted to spending more time joking around than focusing on academics.
After high school, Murray enrolled at Regis College in Denver with the intention of studying pre-med. However, he left the program before completing his degree. His departure was hastened after he was arrested at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport for attempting to carry marijuana onto a plane—an incident that marked a turning point in his life and propelled him toward comedy and performance.
Bill Murray first rose to national prominence through his work on the iconic sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live (SNL). He joined the cast in 1977, replacing Chevy Chase, and quickly became known for his charismatic stage presence and dry humor. His performance earned him wide acclaim and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in 1977. Murray's success on SNL served as a launchpad for a prolific career in film and comedy.
Following his success on television, Murray transitioned into film with a series of memorable performances in comedic classics. His breakout movie role came in Meatballs (1979), a summer camp comedy that established him as a leading comedic actor. He followed this with beloved performances in Caddyshack (1980), Stripes (1981), and Tootsie (1982), where he played a supporting but notable role.
In 1984, Murray starred in the blockbuster hit Ghostbusters, portraying Dr. Peter Venkman—a role that became one of his most iconic. The film was a massive commercial success and remains a cultural touchstone. He reprised the role in Ghostbusters II (1989).
Murray continued his box office streak with films such as What About Bob? (1991) and Groundhog Day (1993), the latter of which received critical acclaim for its inventive storytelling and has since become a modern comedy classic. These roles reinforced Murray’s reputation as one of America's most versatile and enduring comedic actors.
| Birth Date: | 21 Sep, 1950 |
| Age: | 69 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Wilmette |
| Education: | Loyola Academy Regis University |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor and comedian |
| Net Worth 2021: | 180 million |
