Bill Murray reflects on his illustrious career and reveals one role he wishes he hadn’t passed up. The former “Saturday Night Live” star admitted to Howard Stern that he regrets turning down the chance to collaborate with Clint Eastwood, possibly due to concerns about being typecast.
Recalling the moment, Murray shared, “I was watching Clint Eastwood movies of the time, like ‘Thunderbolt and Lightfoot,’ and I thought his sidekick role had depth and significance.” Coming off the success of the 1981 comedy “Stripes,” Murray reached out to Eastwood expressing interest in a potential project. However, when Eastwood proposed another service comedy, Murray hesitated, fearing he might be pigeonholed into military roles.
Years later, Eastwood went on to make “Heartbreak Ridge,” a war film in which he starred as Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tom Highway. Reflecting on his decision, Murray admitted, “It’s one of my few regrets that I didn’t seize that opportunity. The film had grand scale and potential for memorable moments.”
Apologizing to Eastwood for declining the offer, Murray expressed remorse over missing out on the experience. He acknowledged Eastwood’s resilience and creativity, praising the director’s vision for the project.
In a conversation with Stern, Murray also revealed that “Stripes” was initially intended for Cheech and Chong, but the comedy duo’s agent advised against it. Despite the initial hesitation, “Stripes” became a box office success, earning a spot as the fifth-highest grossing film of the year.
Murray’s candid reflections shed light on the complexities of decision-making in the entertainment industry and the potential impact of missed opportunities.
