Bill Murray Remembers Bruce Willis: A Heartwarming Journey Down Memory Lane

by

I’ve been making the rounds in February and March, gracing various press platforms, as I find myself starring in two recent films. One is the intriguing dark comedy titled “Riff Raff,” co-starring Jennifer Coolidge, and the other is the captivating dramedy “The Friend” alongside the talented Naomi Watts. In one of my latest interviews, I had a delightful chat with Andy Cohen on his show “Watch What Happens Live.” Interestingly enough, our conversation veered towards none other than the legendary Bruce Willis, who announced his retirement in 2023 following the disclosure of his diagnosis with frontotemporal dementia.

I was fortunate enough to collaborate with and enjoy spending time with Bruce Willis. Today serves as a special reminder since it’s his birthday. Bruce Willis is truly an outstanding individual, a fantastic person if I may add, as he expressed prior to recounting a heartwarming memory.

In simpler terms, “Bruce Willis used to be my colleague at NBC when I was on Saturday Night Live. His role was essentially a helper, refilling snacks like M&Ms and pretzels in the actors’ dressing rooms. Years later, after he became successful, he thanked me for being kind to him, which I always appreciated.

Bill Murray Ranks His Movies with Wes Anderson

During a discussion about Wes Anderson films, when asked to rate them from favorite to least favorite, Bill Murray commented on a few. He highly commended “The Grand Budapest Hotel” for its technical prowess. In passing, he briefly mentioned “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,” which gave him his largest role in an Anderson project thus far. Regarding this film, Murray stated, “For me, ‘The Life Aquatic’ was the most demanding and arduous job I have ever undertaken. It came dangerously close to claiming my life, and straining my personal life.” He then moved on to discuss “Moonrise Kingdom.

Murray spoke highly of the 2012 film “Moonrise Kingdom,” mentioning its stunning beauty and charm. Following that, he brought up “The Royal Tenenbaums.” With a nod to the late Gene Hackman, Murray expressed his admiration for the movie, stating it was exceptional, particularly Hackman’s performance in it. The entire production took place in New York City, adding an extra layer of difficulty, but Murray found it enjoyable. He concluded that working with Wes Anderson had been a unique and enriching part of his life, making his time as an actor and individual more fascinating.

The Friend is now out in theaters from Bleecker Street and expanding on April 4, 2025.

Read More

2025-04-02 05:03