Bill Murray responds to ‘Being Mortal’ complaint: ‘I did something I thought was funny, and it wasn’t taken that way’
Bill Murray publicly responded Saturday to a complaint about his behavior on the movie set of “Being Mortal.”
“I had a difference of opinion with a woman I’m working with,” Murray told CNBC. “I did something I thought was funny, and it wasn’t taken that way.”
Production of the film was suspended last week after a woman reported Murray’s behavior to higher-ups at Searchlight Pictures. No details of the incident have been reported, and Murray didn’t expand on Saturday.
“As of now we’re talking, and we’re trying to make peace with each other,” he said. ”We’re both professionals. We like each other’s work. We like each other, I think.”
Murray, 71, acknowledged that people now are less willing to brush off borderline workplace behavior than they were when he was younger.
“The world is different than it was when I was a little kid. 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,” he told CNBC.
“It’s a sad dog that can’t learn anymore. I think that’s a really sad puppy. I don’t wanna be that sad dog, and I have no intention of it.”
Murray has a history of feuding with fellow actors and professionals on set. He famously fought Chevy Chase backstage on “Saturday Night Live” in 1978. Actress Lucy Liu called his behavior on the set of “Charlie’s Angels” in 2000 “unacceptable.”
Murray said he’s hopeful that production will resume on “Being Mortal,” which also stars Aziz Ansari and Seth Rogan. Ansari is producing and directing the film.
“It’s been quite an education for me. I’ve been doing not much else but thinking about it for the last week or two,” he said. “We’re talking about it, I think we’re going to make peace. I’m very optimistic about that, I think you have to be.”
