Bill Murray Reflects on Evolving Industry Standards
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After receiving complaints about on-set conduct, Murray has been forced to re-examine himself.
Last month, production ground to a halt on the film Being Mortal, directed by Aziz Ansari and starring Bill Murray and Seth Rogan. The reason for this stoppage was a complaint filed by cast and crew members against Murray for inappropriate on-set behavior.
“He was very hands-on touchy, not in any personal areas, but put an arm around a woman, touched her hair, pulled her ponytail — but always in a comedic way,” an anonymous source told Page Six. “It is a fine line, and everybody loves Bill, but while his conduct is not illegal, some women felt uncomfortable, and he crossed a line.”
Over the weekend, Murray spoke to CNBC about the incidents in question, attributing them to differences in opinion of what is and isn’t appropriate. “We had a difference of opinion; I had a difference of opinion with a woman I’m working with. I did something I thought was funny, and it wasn’t taken that way,” Murray said. “The company, the movie studio wanted to do the right thing. So, they wanted to check it all out and investigate it and so they stopped the production. But as of now we’re talking and we’re trying to make peace with each other.
Bill Murray Gives First Comments on Inappropriate Behavior Complaint: ‘It’s Been Quite an Education for Me’ https://t.co/8jBFMzgNn8
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“We are both professionals, we like each other’s work, we like each other I think and if we can’t really get along and trust each other there’s no point in going further working together or making the movie as well,” he continued. “It’s been quite an education for me.”
“You know what I always thought was funny as a little kid isn’t necessarily the same as what’s funny now. Things change and the times change, so it’s important for me to figure it out,” Murray said. “I think it’s a sad dog that can’t learn anymore. That’s a really sad puppy that can’t learn anymore. I don’t want to be that sad dog and I have no intention of it.”
