Bill Murray Opens Up About Using Acting Roles To Confront His Own Demons

Bill Murray opens up about how the roles he takes on sometimes help him confront and process his flaws during the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. While Speaking at The Elvis Suite, a series hosted by movie critic Elvis Mitchell, Murray shared insights into his latest indie projects, The Friend, and Riff Raff.

When Mitchell asked about his knack for portraying characters who are both charming yet destructive, Bill Murray admitted that playing such roles feels personal. He also acknowledged not being a perfect person in his career and life generally.

Bill Murray feels responsible for his actions even on set

During the interview, Bill Murray referenced his role in Sofia Coppola’s 2020 movie On the Rocks as an example of taking responsibility for the damage he had done in real life. There, he played Felix, a charismatic but flawed father who helps his daughter, played by Rashida Jones, navigate suspicions about her husband’s fidelity. “I was answering for a lot of things through that role,” Murray revealed.

Even though he did not elaborate on the “damage” he referred to, he has a history of scrutiny over his behind-the-scene behavior. In 2022, Bill Murray faced allegations of misconduct on the set of Aziz Ansari’s Being Mortal. Speaking about the incident at the time, he explained he had made a joke he thought was harmless, but it wasn’t received that way.

Other opinions about the actor’s behavior

His remarks at Sundance follow recent discussions about his past interactions with former co-stars. Lucy Liu, for example, has reflected on their tense experience while filming Charlie’s Angels. In an interview earlier this month, Liu recounted standing up for herself when Murray allegedly used “inexcusable and unacceptable” language toward her on set.

Geena Davis has also spoken about working with Bill Murray, writing in her 2022 memoir Dying of Politeness that his behavior on the set of Quick Change was challenging, and he was difficult to work with. She added that Murray might be aware of his own behavior.