Bill Murray Defends ‘Being Mortal’ Misconduct as ‘Light’ and ‘Still Funny’; Criticizes Disney for Cancelling the Film

Bill Murray recently spoke out about the fallout from his film Being Mortal, which was put on hold after a crew member raised concerns about his behavior. This incident has left him feeling “barbecued,” a term he used to describe the intense scrutiny he has faced since.

Back in 2022, production stopped when a complaint was filed against Murray involving a moment he thought was humorous—a kiss through masks with a colleague. Reflecting on the situation, he explained, “I was wearing a mask, and I gave her a kiss. It wasn’t like I touched her, but I thought it was funny.”

Murray emphasized that the person involved was someone he knew well, having shared lunches with her frequently. He admitted to not really understanding why he did it but suggested it felt lighthearted at the time. “It was just a goofy moment,” he explained, saying he’s done similar things before and found them funny.

The actor expressed his disappointment that the film, supported by Disney’s Searchlight Pictures, never got finished. He pointed out that the company’s policy and “pre-existing conditions” ended up stopping the movie. “There was no conversation,” he lamented. “It was all very sudden and confusing.”

He also discussed the arbitration process they had to go through, advising others to avoid it if possible. “You think it’s justice, but it’s not,” he warned. Even after years, the events surrounding Being Mortal linger in his mind.

From an industry perspective, this incident reflects larger conversations about workplace behavior in Hollywood. A survey from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2021 found that nearly 25% of workers have experienced some form of harassment. This shows how vital it is to maintain open lines of communication and foster safe work environments.

As conversations about consent and boundaries continue to evolve, the way celebrities like Murray navigate these situations will likely shift. His experience serves as a reminder that what one person finds funny might not resonate the same way with others.

For more on the topic of workplace harassment and behavior, you can reference this 2021 report by the EEOC.

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Being Mortal,Bill Murray,Searchlight Pictures