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Los Angeles | April 6, 2025 – Veteran comedian Bill Murray has finally opened up about the misconduct allegations that led to the shutdown of the film Being Mortal in 2022. In a candid interview with The New York Times, as reported by Variety, Murray gave his side of the story, calling the incident a misunderstood joke involving a masked kiss during the film’s COVID-era production.
Murray described the event as a moment of spontaneous humor, which, according to him, was taken out of context. The Disney-backed film was indefinitely suspended after a complaint was filed against Murray for inappropriate on-set behavior.
Bill Murray’s Side of the Story: “I Thought It Was Funny”
In the interview, Murray explained that the controversial moment happened while the cast and crew were gathered in a room during production delays caused by the pandemic.
“It was Covid, we were all wearing masks and we were all stranded in this one room listening to this crazy scene. I dunno what prompted me to do it… I gave her a kiss, and she was wearing a mask. It wasn’t like I touched her,” Murray told the New York Times.
The actor emphasized that the woman involved was not a stranger and the act was something he had done before in jest. However, this time, the reaction was not the same.
“I certainly thought it was light. I thought it was funny. To me, it’s still funny, the idea that you could give someone a kiss with a mask on. It’s still stupid. It’s all it was,” he added.
Disney’s Response and the Fallout
Shortly after the complaint was raised, production on Being Mortal was halted by the Human Resources team at Disney, which Murray referred to as “more strident than some other countries.”
He said the situation escalated quickly without any attempt at reconciliation or discussion:
“There was no conversation; there was nothing. There was no peacemaking, nothing. It went to this lunatic arbitration. If anyone ever suggests you go to arbitration: Don’t do it. Never ever do it,” Murray said.
According to him, the process of arbitration left no room for context or compromise, and ultimately led to the permanent suspension of the film.
5 Shocking Revelations from Murray’s Interview
- Masked Kiss Incident: Murray kissed a female colleague through a mask during COVID protocols, believing it was humorous.
- Prior History of the Joke: He claims to have done similar things before that were received positively.
- No Warning or Dialogue: The actor says there was no effort from the studio to resolve the matter informally.
- Condemnation of Arbitration: Murray describes arbitration as unjust and warns others against it.
- Continued Belief in Humor: Despite the fallout, Murray maintains the incident was light-hearted and misinterpreted.
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A Career Marred by Controversy?
While Bill Murray is celebrated for his comedic legacy, this incident adds to a growing list of reports about on-set tensions and alleged misconduct.
Production of Being Mortal, directed by Aziz Ansari, was already midway when the complaint emerged. Disney and the production team chose to indefinitely suspend the film in April 2022, citing the seriousness of the allegations.
What’s Next for Bill Murray?
Murray is now promoting his new film, The Friend, directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, and co-starring Naomi Watts. The film tells the story of a New York writer whose life is disrupted by the arrival of a Great Dane named Apollo.
“It’s a great disappointment,” Murray said, referring to the Being Mortal situation. “I thought I knew someone, and I did not.”
Misunderstood Humor or Inappropriate Conduct?
As the controversy continues to simmer, the Bill Murray Being Mortal misconduct case serves as a reminder of evolving workplace norms and the blurry lines between humor and discomfort in creative environments.
Whether the public sides with Murray’s perspective or not, the incident stands as a cautionary tale about consent, communication, and the need for accountability in film sets, especially in a post-#MeToo industry.
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