Bill Murray on-set controversies escalated when an unexpected confrontation unfolded during an impromptu visit to Saturday Night Live, as cast member Jay Pharoah physically retaliated after enduring repeated jabs from the veteran actor. The longstanding reputation of Murray as an unpredictable presence on film and television sets reached new heights amid this latest incident in New York.
Murray’s Pattern of On-Set Tensions
Throughout his career, Bill Murray has garnered attention for creating chaotic and at times divisive environments during projects. Incidents such as his combative exchanges with Richard Dreyfuss while filming “What About Bob?” and the now infamous altercation involving Lucy Liu on the set of “Charlie’s Angels” highlight Murray’s consistent presence at the center of on-set strife. Murray’s clash with director McG, where he countered accusations of physical aggression with shockingly violent remarks, added to this legacy. Additional disputes with personalities like Chevy Chase, Anjelica Huston, and Harold Ramis further illustrate the comedian’s contentious history across various productions.
The SNL Incident: Jay Pharoah’s Confrontation
Jay Pharoah, known for his sharp comedic style on SNL, detailed a tense and physical confrontation with Bill Murray that took place in producer Lorne Michaels’ office during one of Murray’s unscheduled visits. While speaking with Shannon Sharpe, Pharoah explained how circumstances quickly escalated. According to Pharoah, Murray greeted him with a jeer and then began to repeatedly strike him in the same spot, ignoring both social boundaries and personal discomfort.
He’s like, ‘Come here, fat boy,’
— Jay Pharoah, SNL Cast Member
He calls me ‘fat boy’, then he gets on me. He starts hitting me, in the same place, over and over again. Right. Now, I don’t give a damn who you are. If you hit somebody in the same place, eventually, it’s going to start getting a little sore.
— Jay Pharoah, SNL Cast Member
With the physical discomfort growing, Pharoah reached a breaking point.
When it started stinging, I said, ‘I gotta drop him, son.’
— Jay Pharoah, SNL Cast Member
Acting on impulse, Pharoah lifted Bill Murray onto his shoulders and forcefully slammed him onto a couch within the office. Even after being tackled, Murray reportedly continued attempting to strike Pharoah, prompting speculation from the comedian regarding the actor’s state of mind at the time.
Pharoah theorized that Murray was “drunk out of his mind,” suggesting the star may not recall any of the altercation after sobering up.
No recollection, probably, of this. But I slammed him, and I had to hold him down. He was still trying to fight me! But he was just attacking me, and I got him.
— Jay Pharoah, SNL Cast Member
Aftermath and Industry Reactions
After subduing Murray, Jay Pharoah vacated the office, leaving the seasoned comedian sprawled on the sofa, presumably to reflect on the episode. Pharoah asserted that regardless of Murray’s legacy or celebrity status, he would not tolerate being targeted, echoing sentiments many in the industry have reportedly shared in private.
The incident at SNL underscores the broader narrative of Bill Murray on-set controversies, which persistently bring both frustration and anxiety to colleagues. With the frequency and intensity of these professional conflicts, this altercation adds to an already complicated public perception of Murray. As industry figures grapple with the fallout from these encounters, the event may encourage future conversations about appropriate behavior and boundaries on entertainment sets.
