Bill Murray was born in Chicago, Illinois. Three of Murray's siblings are also actors: John Murray, Joel Murray, and Brian Doyle-Murray. All four brothers appeared in the film "Scrooged."  He graduated from Loyola Academy and went to Regis University in Denver, Colorado before dropping out to pursue his comedy career.

With the help of  his older brother, Brian Doyle-Murray, Bill got his start at Second City Chicago studying under Del Close. The improvisational troupe was a perfect fit for Murray's clever, dry wit and ad-libbing. While in Chicago, Murray worked at Little Caesar's with celebrity chef Kerry Simon. Murray took the role of Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four in a radio adaptation of the Marvel comic.

Murray rose to stardom as a cast member of and a writer for NBC's Saturday Night Live television series, when he replaced Chevy Chase. Bill had previously been a featured player on The National Lampoon Radio Hour. Other cast members included Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and his brother Brian Doyle-Murray. 

Most of Bill Murray's roles have been comedy. Although, he has played serious roles in several films. His roles in Groundhog Day and What About Bob? have become cult classics. He also won considerable acclaim as the lead in Lost in Translation. Even though Lost In Translation is Murray's favorite film that he has appeared in, no one can forget his most recognized appearance in the Ghostbusters movies.  Bill Murray's role in Ghostbusters was originally intended for John Belushi who died before production began. Another famous comedy classic that Bill appeared in was Caddyshack, with Chase Chase and Rodney Dangerfield. No one can ever forget his famous Dalai Lama speech from this film.

In 2005, Bill announced that he would take a break from acting, as he had not had the time since his new breakthrough in the late-1990s. Although, he wa going to do the voice of Garfield in Garfield: the Movie and Garfield: a Tail of Two Kitties. 

Bill Murray was named #1 Smartass on Comedy Central's List of the 51 Greatest Smartasses.