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Authenticity is Everything
The Curious Case of Bill Murray
When Autograph magazine used to be something you could find at newsstands, I was sometimes asked to write the Top 10 list of best/worst autograph signers for the years. This sometimes lead to threats of lawsuits (Steve still won’t tell me what A-list actress sent a nasty letter from a lawyer), another time it lead to Conan O’Brien holding up the magazine to scold Will Ferrell for making the list (they ended up doing a funny bit about why Ferrell doesn’t sign autographs). It’s not uncommon for comedians to be among the list of worst autograph signers, and I’m not sure why. Now, I’m not talking about stand-up comedians. They’re usually great about signing. I’m talking about the folks that started in stand-up, and parlayed that into great acting careers. A lot of those I’m thinking about are former Saturday Night Live cast members.
Arguably the most successful to come out of the SNL cast in terms of a movie career, is Bill Murray. He made the “worst list” a few times, and the only time I’ve ever known him to sign autographs is at golf tournaments. If you catch him at a restaurant or out in public, it just doesn’t happen.
I’ve talked to a handful of people over the years that have met him, and were turned down for autograph requests. Yet there’s something really strange about Murray, too. He may not honor autograph requests, but he loves doing wacky things.
There was a time when he got arrested for drunk driving. He was driving down the road in a golf cart, and drunk. I can’t remember what country that was in, but it was late and night, and he had dropped off a friend first.
During one divorce, a wife accused him of spousal abuse. You never know if allegations like that are true, but she apparently had angry voice mail messages, and...if it weren’t true, it wouldn’t be hard for him to sue for defamation of character.
I prefer the humorous stories involving Bill Murray. I met one young man that told me when he was a kid, he was at the country club just outside of San Diego (where Murray owns a home), and it was Easter weekend. Murray did the an egg toss with the boy, and posed for lots of photos.
Another guy told me about having a son that played on Murray’s kids little league team. He’d sometimes go out and coach, and he always had the team (and parents), laughing with his antics on the field.
There are famous stories of Murray walking up to people in restaurants, taking one of their French fries...and as he stuffs it into his mouth, says “Nobody will believe you.”
A few weeks ago, it was the negative side of Murray that came out. There were diners’ at a restaurant in Carmel, California, that wanted to take photos of the star. Police were called to Vesuvio restaurant, where Murray apparently took their cell phones and threw them off the roof. One cell phone wasn’t damaged, as it landed on a cushioned chair. The three people claim they weren’t taking photos or videos of the star, which seems unlikely. I doubt that Murray would’ve just randomly grabbed cell phones and chucked them. I also don’t think the three guys realized that they’re actually allowed to photograph people in public. Doens’t mean it’s not rude, but it’s legal. I didn’t realize this once when Tori Spelling and her husband were at a book signing and I snapped photos. They snapped at me, saying unless I paid them, I didn’t have the right to do that. Steve Cyrkin is the one that told me a few hours later, “You can take any photos you want!”
The 65-year-old actor wasn’t there when cops arrived (he’s not stupid), but he didn’t deny the charges when contacted.
The owner of the restaurant claims Murray wasn’t drinking, which is hard to believe, as he’s gotten a reputation as a drinker.
The three people involved are not pressing charges, as the incident was handled with Murray’s representatives, and this case won’t be going to court.
I’m guessing with broken phones though, they won’t be calling Ghostbusters anytime soon.
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Comment by Greg Jeranek on February 29, 2016 at 7:07pm
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As I mentioned within reason. I don't want a autopen or a secretary signed graph. When they are out in public within reason I do expect they should sign.
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Comment by Danny on February 29, 2016 at 9:35pm
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He spends a lot of time in Charleston SC. The scene in Coffee and Cigarettes is classic.
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Comment by Eric Keith Longo on February 29, 2016 at 9:41pm
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I expect to possibly be able to ask, no more that that.
Eric
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Comment by Brian on March 6, 2016 at 8:15am
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A friend of a friend had a run-in with Bill. He saw Bill in a hotel lobby, went up to him and said how much he enjoyed his movies. Bill was friendly and thanked him. The guy asked asked for an autograph. Bill said sure, but he charges $5. The guy happily paid and Bill said "I have some publicity photos out in the car, come on out." They go out, Bill gets in the car, closes the door, rolls down the window, and you guessed it, "nobody will believe you" and drives off. I love that story. I hope its true.
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Oh, one other Bill story from a friend (this one I know is true). This is after a rock show in Brooklyn. My buddy is a block or 2 away from the club on the sidewalk talking to a friend. Bill comes up to them and says "Do you know where my car is?" They all laugh. Bill explains what was around the lot where he parked it. My buddy recognized the description, gave him directions. Bill thanks them, walks away then yells, "I'll come back for you!!!"
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Comment by PICTURE PROOF AUTOGRAPHS on March 17, 2016 at 6:54am
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I was lucky enough to had a rare chance to see Bill Murry in Chicago, Filming the movie, Mad Dog and Glory. By the time I got there, there was already a line of fans waiting to get his autograph. A woman security guard said he was about to leave and that I wouldn't have a chance to get his autograph. But then she asked what was that I was holding?
I explained that when ever I don't have a toy that is associated with a celebrity I am about to meet, I have them sign a white die-cast limo. She ask to see it and who had already signed it. I told her Vanna White, Fabio, Stars of Save By The Bell. She said I will be right back, She took the limo to the front of the line, drop the limo right into Bill's hands, He Signed it!!!! then said sorry no more autographs, climbed into his limo and off he went. I nicest security guard I ever met came back and graciously gave me back my limo. I Thanked her while I was still in shock .
That is why I like to collect In Person Picture Proof Autographs, Every autograph has a story!!!
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Comment by Josh Board on March 17, 2016 at 7:30am
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That's an interesting story, but not so sure it makes that security guard so nice. You basically got moved to the front of the line, while others got screwed.
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Not Others, just the next guy in line, but I don't feel bad, I have been screwed before when the celebrity stop signing because dealers in front of me tried to get multi-autographs that they are just going to sell when the fan (Me) only wanted one
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INCREDIBLE BILL MURRY UPDATE...and it also involves a bank.
This month, a man broke into an ATM at a Bank of America in phoenix. As he was walking away cleanly, he saw Bill Murray on the street. Murray was in town visiting friends. He went over to talk to him about the movie Zombieland (no word on if he got an autograph). This delay is all the witnesses and police needed to catch up to the man. He was arrested later.
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That's FUNNY! With that kind of luck I doubt he got an autograph! !!
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