The Big Bad Book of Bill Murray by Robert Schnakenberg is the first in-depth reference book on the man touted as “the world’s finest actor.” This softcover book is a full-color volume of articles, compiled much like an encyclopedia or reference guide.
Some people are loved not just for what they do, but who they are. Bill Murray is an actor beloved as much for his on-screen performances (Saturday Night Live, Meatballs, Caddyshack, Stripes, Ghostbusters) as his approach to life. For Bill Murray aficionados, the closest thing to a full-length book is Murray’s own biographical Cinderella Story: My Life in Golf, published in 2010. However, that book primarily covers Bill Murray’s love of golf.
I looked a few times for a book on Murray and was surprised to find there was nothing comprehensive out there, despite more than three decades in the public eye.
Pop culture and history author Robert Schnakenberg realized the rich subject matter that is Bill Murray and went to work on this unauthorized biography. As you’ll read in the book, Bill Murray has no agent, manager, or publicist. His direct line to the outside world is a heavily guarded 1-800 number.
Despite Schnakenberg’s best efforts, he was never able to contact Bill Murray about the book. Therefore, there is no direct contribution or interview from Murray. Considering this lack of participation from “The Murricane,” the book manages to be both entertaining and informative.
The book lists topics alphabetically. If you want to learn about Bill Murray’s appearance in Kingpin, you simply turn to that entry. Topics vary widely, from themes in Murray’s life—like “Love”—to minutiae such as Murray’s fondness for Mexican soft drinks (see: Mexican Coke). Entries include films featuring Bill Murray as well as those he had a connection to but does not appear in, making it a complete reference guide to date.
What I found most interesting about the book, and perhaps about Bill Murray himself, are the revelations about his personality. In the entry entitled “Mendel, Gregor,” we learn that the historical figure Bill Murray would most like to meet is friar and geneticist Gregor Mendel. This entry comes from a 2014 “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit, and his explanation is indicative of Murray’s truly original perspective and mind. Meanwhile, the entry on “The Weather Channel” reveals Murray’s unique dedication to the channel.
The book is also broken up with pages titled Tales from Murrayland, which share the many stories quickly approaching legend of Bill Murray in his natural habitat. Bill Murray has long had the habit of “hiding in plain daylight.” Many celebrities set themselves apart with gatekeepers—managers, personal assistants, bodyguards, or publicists. Bill Murray has never been one to do that, and these stories are proof. He might share a few words with a bachelor party, crash a premiere, or take over bartending duties at Austin’s SXSW festival. That’s what makes Bill Murray magnetic and why the book is a success. We wonder about Bill Murray because he feels real.
Hardcore Murray devotees will be impressed. My only wish is that Murray himself could have participated—but of course, this was beyond the control of the author. Reading The Big Bad Book of Bill Murray only made me appreciate the man and his matchless work even more. As Cameron Crowe once described him: “In a world where most careers are xeroxes of each other, his is uniquely his own.”
About the Author
Robert Schnakenberg is the author of more than a dozen books on American pop culture and history.
Published by: Quirk Books
Publication Date: September 15, 2015
Price: $22.95 | Softcover | 7¼ x 9 | 272 pp | Full color
ISBN: 978-1-59474-801-1 | E-Book ISBN: 978-1-59474-822-6
The Big Bad Book of Bill Murray was released on September 15, 2015, and can be found on the Quirk Books website at quirkbooks.com/book/big-bad-book-bill-murray.
