Bill Murray, the beloved 74-year-old actor known for his roles in classics like Ghostbusters and Lost in Translation, found himself at the center of controversy on March 27, 2025, when he lashed out at a fan during a Q&A session for his upcoming film The Friend at AMC’s Lincoln Square theater in New York City. The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has sparked a heated debate about celebrity boundaries and fan interactions.
In the viral TikTok clip, Murray is seen walking through the theater lobby when a fan, attempting to take a photo, accidentally bumps into him. The encounter escalates quickly as Murray abruptly stops, turns around, and points his finger at the fan, warning him to back off. “If you attack me like that again, I’ll step on your foot. Don’t do it. That’s a physical assault,” he can be heard saying, clearly agitated by the proximity of the fan.
The fan, visibly taken aback, immediately apologizes while a security guard intervenes to escort Murray away from the situation. “Don’t do it again. You’re not big enough to do that,” Murray adds as he walks away, further emphasizing his discomfort with the encounter.
According to Anton Gerasimenko, who recorded the interaction, Murray had initially refused requests for photos and autographs from fans. “One fan ignored the refusal and tried to take a photo with Bill in the background,” Gerasimenko explained. “The first attempt failed, and inside the theater, the fan tried again, accidentally bumping into Bill.”
The incident has divided public opinion, with many fans defending Murray’s reaction, arguing that he was simply establishing a necessary boundary. One supporter commented, “Bill Murray is known as a good guy to the public. I don't blame him for creating a boundary here.” Another added, “Don’t understand people bothering these people like they're some kind of gods. They're actors, just people.”
Conversely, some commenters criticized Murray’s response, labeling it as an overreaction. One user quipped, “You got your foot nudged in a crowd and called it assault? Be serious.” Another remarked, “It looks like Bill Murray attacked the guy behind him.”
This altercation comes on the heels of another incident involving Murray that has drawn scrutiny. During a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Murray unexpectedly kissed his co-star Naomi Watts while discussing their film. The moment, which occurred when Watts was asked about her best on-screen kiss, left her visibly shocked as she placed her face in her hands. Although she laughed it off, saying, “You’ve got lipstick on your face,” the incident quickly drew backlash online, with many calling it inappropriate and disrespectful.
Watts, who married actor Billy Crudup in 2023, later revealed that her favorite on-screen kiss was indeed with her husband, further illustrating the discomfort surrounding Murray's actions. Online reactions were swift, with one commenter stating, “That’s an appalling way to kiss someone without consent. I can't look at that and think it's anything other than assault.”
The juxtaposition of these two incidents has raised questions about Murray’s behavior and the expectations placed on celebrities in public spaces. While some fans feel that Murray’s reaction to the fan was justified, others see it as indicative of a larger issue regarding consent and personal boundaries in celebrity culture.
As the debate continues, Murray's upcoming film The Friend, which stars him alongside Naomi Watts and is based on Sigrid Nunez’s National Book Award-winning novel, is set to be released on April 25, 2025. The film tells the story of a New York author, played by Watts, who inherits a dog from her late mentor, portrayed by Murray. The film's promotional tour has been overshadowed by these recent controversies, leaving fans and critics alike to ponder the actor's behavior and its implications.
In a world where celebrity encounters are often scrutinized, this incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between fans and the stars they admire. As Murray continues to navigate his public persona, the question remains: how should celebrities handle their interactions with fans in an era of heightened awareness around personal space and consent?
