Bill Murray’s Wife Files For Divorce, Cites Abuse, Sex And Drugs
This story breaks my heart. Not the part about Bill Murray getting divorced, that’s to be expected, it’s Hollywood. But all the other things Bill’s estranged wife Jennifer Butler says about him in court documents really seems incredibly out of character.
According to the Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C. Murray’s wife of ten years (the couple were married in 1997) filed for divorce claiming extramarital affairs, illicit drug use and physical abuse as her reason. Here’s more from the P & C:
According to the complaint, Jennifer Murray moved into a Sullivan’s Island home in 2006 with the couple’s four children due to her husband’s “adultery, addiction to marijuana and alcohol, abusive behavior, physical abuse, sexual addictions and frequent abandonment.”
Jennifer Murray purchased the Sullivan’s Island beach house in 2006 for $3.65 million, according to county property records.
It was at the Sullivan’s Island home, according to the complaint, that Murray allegedly abused his wife in November 2007. The six-page court filing says Murray “hit his wife in the face and then told her she was ‘lucky he didn’t kill her.’ ”
The complaint alleges that Murray physically abused his wife on more than one occasion during the marriage.
So WOW, that sure doesn’t sound like the man whom I’ve been in pretend love with for the last 20 odd years. Stripes is my all-time favorite movie (just ask anyone) and then there was Ghostbusters, Groundhog’s Day, Rushmore and of course, Lost In Translation. I didn’t even mention the years of joy he brought during his time on SNL or the classic Caddyshack, or Scrooged, and the often forgotten but great, Meatballs, but still, ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you, that crazy Dawn’s favorite actor is Bill Murray.
Ok, I accept the alcohol and marijuana use. Bill was famously pulled over in Sweden for allegedly driving a golf cart while drunk, and he was also arrested many moons ago for marijuana possession at Chicago’s O’Hare airport (during college), I can even accept he had dalliances outside of his marriage. He’s famous, charming, funny, and chicks tend to go for that sort of thing. I don’t encourage it, I frown on it, it makes me sad, but hey, I can accept that a famous actor does this sort of thing.
BUT HIT HIS WIFE? That seems so outrageously uncharacteristic of Bill Murray I have a hard time believing this was routine behavior. I have seen relationships turn ugly, especially poorly matched ones. People push each other’s buttons and so on, and since I’ve never heard another word about him abusing any other woman, his children or anyone for that matter, I have to assume it was a serious outburst of extreme behavior. I don’t excuse it or condone it, but I refuse to accept this is some kind of inherent quality to his personality.
Murray is notoriously anti-Hollywood and makes a point of avoiding all the trappings of that life. With six children to be responsible for (two from his first marriage) and four from his marriage to Jennifer, I hope Bill is able to piece his life back together and get himself back on track.
I can often be heard quoting this line. Why yes, I am doofus:
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It does seem to confirm the notion that a lot of comedy comes from a really dark place.
Comment by Kati — May 29, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
I would not take too much stock in allegations such as this that are raised in a divorce proceeding where the parties have a huge economic incentive to lie.
Look at what just happened to Paul MaCartney with all his ex-wife’s obviously false allegations.
Comment by AnonymousNow — May 29, 2008 @ 5:59 pm
I too hope that if true, it’s due to extenuating circumstances.
He is great in The Razor’s Edge, as well, I really liked him in that movie too.
Comment by Capcom — May 29, 2008 @ 7:53 pm
Its important to distinguish between public persona and private behavior. Just look at most politicians; religious right republicans are rather infamous for that sort of “preach and present one behavior, while practicing another” conduct.
Still, Murray has consistently come off as a nice guy, with a few exceptions. I do sincerely hope–for both their sakes–that the allegations are exaggerated, untrue, or have ‘extenuating’ circumstance behind them.
Comment by Anonymous — May 30, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
Bill Murry is my favorite actor, this sucks!
“What about Bob” has got to be one of his best movie performances. But my favorite move has got to be Caddyshack! No doubt!
“This crowd has gone deadly silent, a Cinderella story outta nowhere. Former greenskeeper and now about to become the masters champion … He’s on his final hole. He’s about 455 yards away, he’s gonna hit about a 2 iron I think … IT’S IN THE HOLE!”
Comment by DM Longcat — May 30, 2008 @ 10:32 pm
” Big hitter, The Lama.
He was gonna stiff me so I say hey, Lama! How about a little something, you know for the effort, and he goes there will be no money, but on your death bed, you will receive total consciousness. So I got that going for me, which is nice. “
Comment by DM Longcat — May 31, 2008 @ 11:16 am
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Pingback by Celebrity Blog | Babelogs | Celebrity Gossip » Blog Archive » Bill Murray’s Wife Files For Divorce, Cites Abuse, Sex And Drugs — May 31, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
[...] According to our earlier report, Butler claimed Murray abused her on several occasions, but specifically cited an incident last November when he hit her in the face and told her she was “lucky he didn’t kill her.” Pretty damning stuff for a guy known for playing generally sweet, but odd-ball characters. As I stated in the original post, Bill Murray is one of, if not my favorite, actor of all time and was disturbed to hear this stark account of his private behavior. [...]
Pingback by GlossLip » Is Bill Murray’s Estranged Wife A Boozer And Child-Abuser? — June 9, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
Okay, so wifey moves away from him, citing abuse yaddayaddayadda … then this alleged physical abuse and ‘lucky I didn’t kill you’ crap comes up. Hmmm. Fishy. She was well on her year away from him, getting ready for a quick divorce (one year sleeping in seperate beds speeds these things along)and then he just suddenly visits her, slaps her, then threatens her? N to the NO WAY. She invited him over and provoked him … not unknown to happen … just so her papers will look that much better regarding the money. And that is what happened, no doubt in my mind. She manipulated him like normal people do in divorces, period. Big whoop. His fault for trusting her after she moved out. After all, didn’t he ever watch the War of the Roses?
Comment by Tim — November 10, 2008 @ 3:21 am