SNL Alum Explains Why He Body-Slammed an Aggressive Bill Murray

Bill Murray has a long-standing reputation for being a wild card. His unpredictable nature has been a hallmark of his career for decades, but it hasn't always been charming. When his on-set behavior veers into antagonism, not everyone is willing to just take it. The list of colleagues who have had run-ins with the legendary comedian is long, from Richard Dreyfuss during What About Bob? to Lucy Liu on the set of Charlie’s Angels. He’s also publicly feuded with director McG, Chevy Chase, Anjelica Huston, and even his Ghostbusters co-star Harold Ramis.

A Confrontation in the Office

Most people wouldn't dream of getting physical with a world-famous star, regardless of the provocation. But former Saturday Night Live cast member Jay Pharoah is not most people. He recently shared the story of an unexpected encounter with the Groundhog Day actor during a visit to the SNL studio. When asked by Shannon Sharpe why the incident escalated, Pharoah’s explanation was blunt: “He wouldn’t stop hitting me.”

The scene was set in Lorne Michaels' office, where Pharoah had gone to speak with the show's creator. He found Murray, one of the show's most iconic alumni, already there. According to Pharoah, the veteran actor immediately started in on him. “He’s like, ‘Come here, fat boy,’” Pharoah recounted. The name-calling was just the beginning. “He calls me ‘fat boy’, then he gets on me. He starts hitting me, in the same place, over and over again. Right. Now, I don’t give a damn who you are. If you hit somebody in the same place, eventually, it’s going to start getting a little sore.”

The Breaking Point

As the repeated blows continued, Pharoah reached his limit. He decided he had to act. “When it started stinging, I said, ‘I gotta drop him, son.’” And he did just that. The comedian hoisted Murray onto his shoulders and slammed him down onto the couch in Michaels' office. Even that didn't end the bizarre attack. Pharoah had to physically restrain the older actor, who kept trying to fight back.

Pharoah could only come to one conclusion about Murray's state. “Drunk out of his mind,” he speculated. “No recollection, probably, of this. But I slammed him, and I had to hold him down. He was still trying to fight me! But he was just attacking me, and I got him.” After subduing him, Pharoah left the office, leaving Murray on the sofa to contemplate his actions.

A Justified Response?

When someone starts hitting you without any reason, defending yourself seems like a natural reaction. The fact that the aggressor was Bill Murray didn't change the situation for Pharoah, who refused to be a punching bag. While many actors have likely fantasized about standing up to the star's difficult behavior over the years, Pharoah is one of the few who actually did, putting the veteran performer squarely in his place.