Somewhere in the back of my mind, I have a list of celebrities I cannot bear the thought of losing: Jeff Goldblum, Michael Keaton, Tom Hanks, Julie Andrews, Carol Burnett, Jeff Bridges, Jack Nicholson, the list goes on and on. I grew up with a lot of these actors…I mean I’ve seen so many movies with Julie Andrews and Tom Hanks that I feel like I know them on some level. But I honestly feel nothing will hurt like the pain of losing Bill Murray.
Here’s the thing about Bill Murray. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t enjoy at least one of his movies. From Ghostbusters to Zombieland, and several before and since, Murray had racked up fans of all ages, sizes, genders, and walks of life. But why? What is it about this young kid from Illinois that appeals to movie-goers the world over?
In The Tao of Bill Murray, bestselling author Gavin Edwards tries to find out. By traveling to the places where Murray has lived, worked and partied, Edwards goes in search of the most outrageous and hilarious Bill Murray stories from the past four decades, many of which have never been reported.
But this isn’t just a collection of wacky anecdotes…The Tao of Bill Murray puts the actor’s public clowning into a larger context, analyzing the 10 guiding principles of living the Murray way of life.
Sprinkled with personal stories from fans, co-workers, and Murray himself, The Tao of Bill Murray is an intimate look into the man no one can quite pin down. It’s an attempt to find out what makes him tick, what keeps him happy, and how we, as the general public, can embrace the lifestyle that is Bill Murray.
Throughout the book, several actors, directors, fans and friends attempt to break down the formula that gave birth to this amazing actor. Jon Favreau, who directed Bill in The Jungle Book, said Bill is “…completely available when you’re in direct contact. He’s an incredibly authentic, generous person who understands who he is, what he represents to everybody. He embraces it.” I don’t think it gets truer than that.
Also covering the wide range of Murray’s filmography, The Tao of Bill Murray also entertains with behind-the-scenes stories about his work on everything up to The Jungle Book (2016). Learn about the movies he disliked (Garfield, The Life Aquatic), the movies he loved (Lost in Translation, Broken Flowers) and all the mishaps and golden opportunities that got him to where he is today.
Though we may never really understand what it is that makes Bill Murray who he is, we can all take comfort in knowing he’s out there…showing up at parties, throwing people in pools, and kissing people randomly in restaurants. Is he an Oscar-worthy actor? Perhaps not…but he’s the man Hollywood needs. As Favreau says, he’s authentic and generous…and never fails to deliver, no matter what the project. And regardless of whether you loved Murray in Rushmore, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, or The Life Aquatic, this book is a must-read for anyone who calls themselves a Bill Murray fan – which is to say, everyone.
Looking for a new book to read? Check in every Friday for a “Bee Happy” post, where I share reviews of books I’ve read or other book-themed lists.
The Hob-bee Hive 