The Best of Bill Murray: Top 10 Performances

Bill Murray is a national treasure.

I would put forth that he’s the funniest human being on the planet and he’s been making us laugh for going on 40 years. While known best for his amazing comedic skills, Mr. Murray has also shown a great ability at drama as well. This is often found in the best comedic performers, including Eddie Murphy and Jim Carrey and it holds true here.

Picking Murray’s Top 10 Performances was not easy, but here goes:

10. Stripes (1981)

A solid comedy from 1981, Ivan Reitman’s Stripes represents Murray’s first turn as the leading man and was a great preview for what was to come.

9. Zombieland (2009)

Ruben Fleischer’s very funny zombie comedy might have starred Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Emma Stone, but it was Murray’s turn playing himself that represents the best part of the movie. When Murray comes on screen, it was a terrific surprise that provided huge laughs. And he’s got one of the best death scenes in memory.

8. Rushmore (1998)

This picture started Murray’s many collaborations with director Wes Anderson, with titles including The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and Moonrise Kingdom. This is still the best.

7. Kingpin (1996)

Murray’s hilarious turn as a pro bowler in the Farrelly Brother’s 1996 feature is the best thing about this movie, by far. He owns every scene he appears in.

6. Scrooged (1988)

Richard Donner’s comedic update of A Christmas Carol provided a tailor-made role for Bill as an egotistical network exec who’s forced to find the Christmas spirit.

5. What About Bob? (1991)

Frank Oz’s film gives Murray a chance to go off the rails as a severely neurotic patient who ingratiates himself to his doctor’s family on their vacation, while driving the doctor (Richard Dreyfus) a little nuts.

4. Caddyshack (1980)

Carl Spackler. This scene. ‘Nuff said.

3. Ghostbusters (1984)

This classic 80s film is one of the best comedies of all time and features Murray doing what he does best. His highest grossing picture has spawned rumors of a third installment for years, but it’s Murray’s reluctance that has held it up.

2. Lost in Translation (2003)

For those who know Murray for only comedy, please see Sofia Coppola’s wonderful Lost in Translation, starring Bill as a well-known actor in Tokyo who befriends a lonely girl played wonderfully by Scarlett Johannson. His performance is subtle and remarkable and justifiably earned him Oscar attention (though no win).

1. Groundhog Day (1993)

While Murray would earn that Oscar nod for Translation and deserved it, Groundhog Day is proof that the Academy is reluctant to honor comedy, even when it’s obvious. Murray is totally brilliant here as he relives that day over and over again in Punxsutawney. Harold Ramis’s film is a masterpiece. Murray’s performance is masterful.

And there you have it – my personal Top Ten for my personal favorite comedic actor.