Who doesn’t love Bill Murray? The actor has starred in some of the most beloved comedies of all time, and his off-screen persona is just as lovable. Murray seems one of the most down-to-earth celebrities out there, and his recent appearances in the media have only solidified his status as a comedy icon.
This post will look at Bill Murray’s best moments in the movies and on TV. We’ll also explore why he’s so popular with audiences. So put on your favorite Bill Murray movie and get ready to laugh!
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Bill Murray’s Net Worth And Salary
Bill Murray is an American actor, comedian, and writer with a net worth of $180 million. He first gained prominence as a cast member on the sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live” in the late 1970s. He has since gone on to star in several hit films, such as “Ghostbusters,” “Caddyshack,” and “Groundhog Day.”
In recent years, Murray has appeared in several independent films
, many of which have been critical and commercial successes. His salary for these films is typically around $9 million per movie. In addition to his acting career, Murray owns several businesses, including a Chicago-based production company and a clothing line. He also has a stake in the minor league baseball team, the St. Paul Saints.
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Early Life
Murray was born in Evanston, Illinois, to Lucille (née Collins), a housewife, and Edward Joseph Murray II, a lumber broker. His father died when Murray was 17. He subsequently dropped out of college and moved to New York City to pursue an acting career.
Murray’s film debut was in the 1969 film Meatballs. He subsequently appeared in several other comedies, such as Caddyshack (1980), Ghostbusters (1984), Stripes (1981), Tootsie (1982), Scrooged (1988), What About Bob? (1991), Groundhog Day (1993), and Kingpin (1996).
Murray has also appeared in dramas, such as Lost in Translation (2003), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. In 2002, he co-directed Quick Change. In 2010 he starred in the critically acclaimed independent film Get Low.
Murray produced the 2012 HBO comedy series Olivia Wilde, and Jackson Murray Sudeikis are engaged! They have been together since 2011 and have two children together. Wilde is also the stepmother to Sudeikis’ son from a previous relationship. The couple met on the set of Saturday Night Live, where Sudeikis was a cast member and Wilde was a guest host.
Early Experiences With Comedy
He is best known for his roles in Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and Lost in Translation. Murray was born on September 21, 1950, in Evanston, Illinois, to Lucille and Edward Joseph Murray II.
His father was a lumber broker, and his mother was a secretary. Murray has eight siblings: John, Brian Doyle-Murray, and Joel Murray. He attended St. Joseph’s grade school and Loyola Academy high school before studying at the College of Wooster in Ohio. After graduation, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in comedy.
Murray began appearing on Saturday Night Live in 1977 and starred in several successful films throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In recent years, he has been praised for his work in independent films such as Rushmore and The Darjeeling Limited.
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Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is an American sketch comedy and various how created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Ebersol. The show was aired and premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under its original title of NBC’s on Saturday Night.
The show’s comedy sketches, which often parodied contemporary culture and politics, were initially introduced by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. As the show became more popular, many notable guest stars appeared on the show, including David Bowie, Steve Martin, Andy Kaufman, Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Paul Simon, Micheal Caine, and Harry Belafonte.
The show has received several awards, including 44 Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2000, it was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. In 2005, the show was ranked 10th on TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time list. As of 2016, Saturday Night Live has been renewed for its 42nd season.
Film Career
Bill Murray is a Ghostbusters, a Groundhog Day, and a Lost in Translation. He’s that rare thing: an actor who is as successful in comedies as in dramas. His career began on the stage, performing with the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago.
From there, he moved on to television, joining the cast of Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s. Murray’s improvisational skills and deadpan delivery made him one of the show’s most popular performers.
He went on to star in a string of hit comedies, including Stripes and Ghostbusters Caddyshack. In recent years, Murray has taken on more challenging roles, earning critical acclaim for his performances in Lost in Translation and Broken Flowers. Whether he’s, making us laugh or think, Bill Murray is always worth watching.
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Ghostbusters Salary
Bill Murray’s Ghostbusters salary is $500,000. This may seem like a lot of money, but it’s a bargain considering the film’s budget. Ghostbusters cost $30 million to make, earning more than $300 million at the box office.
Murray’s salary represented just a tiny fraction of the film’s total budget, but his performance was critical to its success. Without Murray’s comedic timing and likable persona, Ghostbusters probably would not have been the massive hit it was.
As a result, his salary seems like a wise investment for the studio. Thanks to Bill Murray, Ghostbusters became one of the most successful comedies.
Personal Life
Murray married Margaret Kelly in 1981, and they have four sons together. The couple divorced in 1996 but remain good friends. In 2001, he married Jennifer Butler, and they have two sons.
Murray also has ters from previous relationships. He has eight children ranging in age from early twenties to mid-forties.
In addition to acting, Murray has also ventured into business. He is a co-owner of the Caddyshack restaurant chain and a partner in the car-sharing service Lyft.
He also has his line of golf clothing called William James Murray Golf. Bill Murray is more than just a funny guy on the big screen – he is a complex individual with many different interests and allusions.
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Conclusion
That’s a lot of money for someone who shows up and has fun. It shows that even if you’re not the hard-working, Type A personality that we typically associate with wealth, and you can still make it big– as long as you’ve got talent, charisma, and maybe a little luck. Net worth Bill Murray is proof that dreams come true – even if they look slightly different from what we expected.
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Estimated Income Breakdown
How the fortune is built. Figures are independent editorial estimates aggregated from the public record.
| Income source | Estimated lifetime value |
|---|---|
| Film salaries + residuals | $140.0M |
| TV residuals + appearances | $20.0M |
| Real estate + rental | $30.0M |
| Other (speaking, misc.) | $10.0M |
| Estimated total | $200.0M |
As of 2025-12-31. Ghostbusters residuals + Lost in Translation profits + Wes Anderson recurring roles anchor the film stream. The Righteous Gemstones HBO fees add the TV line. Methodology · Corrections.
Known Career Earnings
Documented project-by-project earnings for Bill Murray, sorted by year. Figures are editorial estimates compiled from reported salaries, backend deals and public disclosures. Where only a salary is known, the entry reflects the upfront fee; backend, residuals and bonus payments are separated where reported.
| Year | Project | Type | Note | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Caddyshack | salary | $20K | |
| 1981 | Stripes | salary | $1.0M | |
| 1984 | Ghostbusters | backend | Plus percentage participation on franchise | $4.0M |
| 1988 | Scrooged | salary | $5.0M | |
| 1989 | Ghostbusters II | salary | $6.0M | |
| 1991 | What About Bob? | salary | $7.0M | |
| 1993 | Groundhog Day | salary | $4.0M | |
| 1996 | Kingpin | salary | $4.0M | |
| 2001 | The Royal Tenenbaums | salary | Took reduced fee for Wes Anderson — typical for indie collaborations | $1.0M |
| 2003 | Lost in Translation | backend | Took backend deal worth several million on the unexpected hit | $250K |
| 2004 | Garfield | salary | Voice role | $7.0M |
| 2004 | The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou | salary | Wes Anderson collaboration | $1.0M |
| 2010 | Get Low | salary | $3.0M | |
| 2021 | Ghostbusters: Afterlife | salary | $4.0M | |
| 2024 | Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire | salary | $4.0M |
Reported figures only — projects without public salary disclosure are omitted. See our Methodology for sources and our Corrections Policy if you can document a different figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the most common questions about this profile. For our sourcing and update method, see our Methodology page.
What is Bill Murray's net worth in 2026?
Our editorial estimate places Bill Murray's 2026 net worth around $200 million. The figure aggregates Ghostbusters franchise royalties (including backend participation on the original 1984 hit and Afterlife/Frozen Empire returns), residuals from Lost in Translation, Groundhog Day and the Wes Anderson canon, plus extensive real-estate holdings in South Carolina, the Hudson Valley, and California.
How much did Bill Murray earn from Ghostbusters?
For the original Ghostbusters (1984), Murray reportedly earned $4 million plus a significant percentage participation in the franchise that has continued to pay across reboots and sequels. Ghostbusters II (1989) paid $6 million, with subsequent franchise revenue (animated series royalties, Afterlife 2021, Frozen Empire 2024) adding ongoing income.
How does Bill Murray pick his roles (no agent)?
Murray famously fired his agents in 1999 and instead operates through a 1-800 voicemail number that potential collaborators must call. He listens to messages periodically and responds only if interested, which has become a Hollywood legend. Several directors (Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola, Jim Jarmusch) have built relationships through years of patient outreach.
What is Murray's salary for Wes Anderson films?
Murray takes substantially reduced fees for Wes Anderson films (and Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation), often in the $1 million range or less, reflecting his preference for the collaborative indie experience over commercial blockbusters. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) paid $1 million, Lost in Translation (2003) just $250,000 (with a backend deal that paid millions on the unexpected hit).
Is Bill Murray retired from acting?
No. As of 2026, Murray remains highly active in film. Recent credits include Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024), The French Dispatch (2021), Asteroid City (2023), and various Wes Anderson ensemble projects. He has not announced retirement and typically selects 2-3 projects per year through his agent-free approach.
Who is richer than Bill Murray?
A side-by-side comparison with other hollywood profiles where reported estimates are available.
