Bill Murray Claims ‘Being Mortal’ Misconduct Controversy Was Overblown

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2022 saw the actor from Ghostbusters make headlines for less-than-ideal reasons, as his film “Being Mortal” was halted due to allegations of inappropriate behavior and misconduct from his costar. Since then, he has been regularly contemplating this incident.

During an extensive conversation with The New York Times, Murray delved into the halted Aziz Ansari film project, which came to a sudden stop following allegations that Ansari kissed a crew member without permission. This event triggered further recollections of Ansari’s on-set behavior from his past days. Murray commented on the incident, stating:

I rarely go more than a few days or weeks without reflecting on the events portrayed in Being Mortal. I attempted to find closure, though it felt more like being grilled intensely. In retrospect, I believed I was seeking reconciliation, but instead, I found myself in a heated discussion. This colleague of mine, with whom I shared meals multiple times a week, during COVID-19 times when we were all wearing masks and confined to one room for safety measures, was the one who engaged me in this intense conversation.

Murray elaborated on the occurrences during the production of “Being Mortal,” and he maintains that the situation was exaggerated excessively. He added:

I can’t quite explain what made me do it, but it was something I had done to someone else in the past that always seemed amusing to me. Each time it occurred, it brought about laughter. The incident took place while both of us were wearing masks, and I planted a kiss on her mask, through my mask, to another person’s mask. It wasn’t as if I physically touched her, but it was merely a symbolic gesture, a kiss transmitted via two layers of protection. And to clarify, she was not a stranger.

Bill Murray Says Disney Processes Were to Blame for Shutting Down ‘Being Mortal’

In the usual course of events, actors are expected to adhere to certain guidelines – such as avoiding inappropriate behavior with co-stars. However, Murray hinted at one of the challenges faced during the production of Being Mortal was an unexpectedly stringent set of human rights policies within Disney that he wasn’t fully aware of. He stated:

It seemed that certain issues had already been set in place, and I found myself questioning how this could have gone unnoticed. There was no discussion, no explanation, nothing to prepare us. No attempt at resolution or reconciliation was made. If someone advises you to resort to arbitration: Steer clear of it. Avoid it at all costs. For while it may seem like the path to justice, it isn’t.

Later on, Murray also responded to past allegations, such as one involving an incident where an ashtray was supposedly thrown at Richard Dreyfuss. However, the actor acknowledges that he may not have always had smooth relationships with certain co-stars, but emphasizes that this behavior is not typical for him and he cherishes many pleasant memories from collaborating with others.

When someone experiences something similar to what I went through in “Being Mortal,” people often seek additional evidence that this individual is truly evil or monstrous. However, I have interacted with hundreds of thousands of people over a span of 40, 50 years. If you put some effort into it, you might be able to find a few negative interactions. But if you really dig deep, you’d likely uncover a couple dozen [negative encounters]. My experiences are no less positive or negative than yours.

In conclusion, Murray expressed his disappointment with the response to the uproar surrounding “Being Mortal“, but acknowledged that he gained some insights from the situation.

I agree with you. An old dog can learn new tricks, just as I discovered when I underestimated someone. I believed the situation to be simple and amusing, but now I find it equally absurd that one could kiss while wearing a mask. To me, it still seems just as foolish.

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2025-04-06 19:33