Bill Murray has said he thought it was “funny” to kiss his co-worker during filming.
In April 2022, a “much younger” female crew member filed a complaint that accused the actor, 74, of straddling her and kissing her through a face mask while on the set of Being Mortal, leading to production being suspended.
She was reportedly “horrified” by the Groundhog Day actor’s behaviour and “interpreted his actions as entirely sexual”. He is believed to have paid a $100,000 settlement to her.
Speaking to The New York Times, Murray reflected on the incident, saying he felt like he’d been “barbecued”.
“But someone that I worked with, that I had lunch with on various days of the week – it was Covid, we were all wearing masks, and we were all stranded in this one room listening to this crazy scene,” he said.
“I dunno what prompted me to do it.”
He added that he “thought [it] was funny” and that it was something he had “done to someone else before”.
“I was wearing a mask, and I gave her a kiss, and she was wearing a mask.
“It wasn’t like I touched her, but it was just, I gave her a kiss through a mask. And she wasn’t a stranger,” he added.
He added that the compliant went to arbitration, adding: “If anyone ever suggests you go to arbitration: Don’t do it. Never do it.”
He continued: “I certainly thought it was light. I thought it was funny. To me it’s still funny, the idea that you could give someone a kiss with a mask on.”
The Standard has contacted a representative of Bill Murray for further comment.
He previously told CNBC the incident was “difference of opinion,” adding: “I did something I thought was funny and it wasn’t taken that way.”
Murray has recently come under fire for kissing his co-star Naomi Watts on the mouth during a live interview.
The pair appeared on Andy Cohen’s Bravo show Watch What Happens Live to promote their new film, The Friend, last week.
During a Q&A segment with fans, Watts, 56, was asked about the best kiss of her career.
Before she could answer, Murray, 74, grabbed her face, tipped it back, and kissed her on the mouth.
The Mulholland Drive star appeared taken aback and shook her head while hiding her face in her hands as the audience shrieked, with Cohen laughing and saying: “So good.”
