Five great moments in Bill Murray for Bill Murray Day
Leave it to Facebook to designate June 21 “Bill Murray Day.” According to a Facebook group created by Casey O’Donnell (the man also responsible for the website lunchwithbillmurray.com), today is a day “to celebrate the man, the myth the American hero.” Considering Murray’s Denver connection—he briefly attended Regis University, and the school awarded him an honorary degree in 2007—The A.V. Club wanted to get in on the celebration with our top five moments in Murray.
1. Caddyshack
If there’s one thing we think about when we think of Bill Murray, it’s the “cinderella story” scene from Caddyshack. This is Murray at his goofy-voiced peak. Any number of scenes from this classic could have been selected, but this one stands out because it’s both completely improvised and downright hilarious. Comedy gold.
2. Ghostbusters
You can’t talk about the best Murray moments without mentioning Ghostbusters. Murray’s portrayal of Dr. Peter Venkman is a huge part of what made this movie the well-loved classic it is today, and, much like Caddyshack, any number of scenes could be selected. This one got the nod in part because it went on to be used in a freakin’ Dieselboy dance track, and we think that deserves a little extra recognition. Forget about the fact that they’re making a Ghostbusters III and a video game, and just remember the good old days.
3. Zombieland
It’s always great when a celebrity can poke fun at himself, and Murray did just that in his surprise cameo in Zombieland, with hilarious results. “Do you have any regrets?” “Garfield, maybe.” Murray’s death scene is one of the best scenes in the whole movie and, for an uncredited role, that’s really saying something.
4. Coffee & Cigarettes
His appearance in Jim Jarmusch’s 2003 indie comedy Coffee & Cigarettes alongside RZA and GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan is a head-scratcher, and that’s what makes it so great. The dialogue between the two hip-hop icons and a comedy icon (who’s incognito as a linecook in the movie) works because it’s so dry (and kind of strange). The entire scene isn’t to be found on YouTube, so throw it on your Netflix queue to see the whole thing.
5. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Not nearly as in-your-face as his early comedic work, Murray’s role in The Life Aquatic is restrained and mellow. But his delivery of such lines as, “Be cool on this shit, okay, Cubby?” in the pirate scene beats any slapstick humor or weird voice he could have implemented. Plus, it’s always cool to see Murray in a gun battle with pirates right?
