I watched Stripes, Ghostbusters, and a little of Ghostbusters II last night on AMC. Obviously I’ve seen these movies NUMEROUS times and know them all by heart, but while watching, I couldn’t help but think that Bill Murray is quite possibly the funniest actor of our time. Think about all the great classics he’s been involved in: Caddyshack Stripes Ghostbusters I and II Groundhog Day Meatballs Scrooged What About Bob? Kingpin I don’t think any actor in cinematic history has had nearly as many quotable lines to his credit. And the amazing part is that the majority of them were improvised. Truly one if the funniest people in the history of the world (no hyperbole). What are some of your favorite Bill Murray quotes?
Where did you learn that the majority of his funny lines are improvised? I had never heard that before.
You also forgot about Osmosis Jones and Rushmore. Both freaking hilarious. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yly2UDQp6fc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yly2UDQp6fc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
From http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/movie-pages/movie_actorscomdy.html... 1. Peter Sellers 3. Richard Pryor 4. Woody Allen 5. Jerry Lewis 6. Robin Williams 9. Steve Martin 10. Eddie Murphy 11. Jim Carrey 12. Gene Wilder 13. John Belushi 14. Dudley Moore 18. Leslie Neilson 19. Bill Murray I took out those I didn't consider to be "of our time". They based their findings on the following completely objective criteria: Criteria: - These are the greatest actors in comedy based on wit, talent, influence, and mainly on how funny they are. Just thought I'd throw out some other names to kick around. Personnally, I'm more of a John Cleese/Eric Idle fan. Obviously, that list is ****. Eddie Murphy #10? 'Nuf said.
Well, I saw the Ghostbusters DVD commentary a few years ago and Ramis mentioned that a lot of the more famous lines like “dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria!!” were improvised. Also, basically the whole scene where he and Peck are going back and forth where he makes Peck say the magic word. Peck didn’t even know he was going to do that, that’s why he chuckles. And I know much of the Caddyshack dialog was improvised by all the actors, especially Murray and Chase. The whole lost golf ball scene they did together (pool and a pond…pond would be good for you…) was 100% improvised and done in 1 take. A lot of his lines in Meatballs were improvised as well.
Hadn't though about it -- but, yes, I have to agree. With John Cleese up there too. Best improvational comic I've seen by far though is Robin Williams. Not so much in movies -- but interviews and standup (especially live).
I can stand a lot of Robin Williams films and even some of his stand-up comedy but the man just wrecks interviews or panels.
call me crazy, but I never understood Woody Allen's "genius". None of his movies are worth a flip. don't get the Robin Williams or Dudley Moore concept either. John Candy should be on that list somewhere.
Not just Murphy. Jim Carrey and Leslie Neilson, as funny as they may be, do not deserve to be on this list. Carrey's body of work isn't extensive enough, and for every one funny movie Neilson has done, he's done two stinkers.
I love Bill Murray...LOVE him. However, as far as "acting" goes, he's really only accomplished greatness ONCE -- as Hunter S. Thompson in Where the Buffalo Roam. All those other roles were either him just being "Bill Murray" or a slight variation on himself. Did I mention that I love Bill Murray? Peter Sellers is untouchable in this category, in my opinion.
