Bill Murray, renowned for his remarkable career and comedic prowess, recently opened up about a rare regret: passing up an opportunity to work with legendary filmmaker Clint Eastwood. The former “Saturday Night Live” star revealed to Howard Stern that he turned down a role in a film with Eastwood years ago, possibly influenced by fear of being typecast.
Explaining his decision, Murray recounted his thoughts while watching Eastwood’s movies like “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.” He said, “I was watching the Clint Eastwood movies of the day, and I thought: ‘His sidekick gets killed, and he avenges, but the sidekick gets like a great part, a great death scene.'” This introspection led him to consider contacting Eastwood about a role.
At the time, Murray was riding high on the success of the 1981 comedy hit “Stripes.” Motivated by his admiration for Eastwood’s work, he mustered the courage to reach out. “I was like, I got to call this guy. So I called him out of the blue,” Murray shared. During their conversation, Eastwood proposed a potential collaboration for a “service comedy,” as Murray had just wrapped “Stripes.”
However, doubts crept in, and Murray found himself questioning the direction his career might take. Comparing himself to comedic duos like Abbott and Costello, he feared typecasting in military-themed roles. “When he said, ‘Would you ever want to do another service comedy,’ like jeez, ‘Would I become like Abbott and Costello?'” he admitted. As a result, he ultimately declined Eastwood’s offer, perhaps to his later dismay.
A few years down the line, Eastwood developed the war film “Heartbreak Ridge,” featuring Eastwood as Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tom Highway. Murray expressed remorse over his decision, reflecting, “It’s one of the few regrets I have is that I didn’t do it. Because it was a big-scale thing, and I would have gotten a great – I don’t know if I’d have gotten a great death scene, it was more of a comedy, that one – but it was great.”
Despite the missed opportunity, Murray holds no grudge, expressing regret to Eastwood during their interactions. “When I see him, I’m like: ‘I’m sorry, I wish I’d done that Clint, I’m really sorry.’ He’s certainly well over it. He’s a very resilient fella,” Murray confessed, recognizing Eastwood’s resilience and professionalism.
During the conversation with Stern, they also delved into the history behind “Stripes.” Originally designed for Cheech and Chong, the script underwent changes when their agent opposed their involvement. “They could have had fun with it, there were lots of stoner scenes in it,” Murray reminisced. Ultimately, under Ivan Reitman’s direction, “Stripes” enjoyed immense success, ranking among the year’s top-grossing films.
Bill Murray’s revelation highlights the nuanced decisions actors face in navigating their careers. The missed collaboration with Clint Eastwood serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable paths artists tread. As Murray continues to charm audiences, the candid reflection on this near encounter adds another layer to his storied journey, blending introspection with the ever-present “what ifs” of Hollywood.
