Bill Murray

Bill Murray Confronts 'Pushy' Fan At NYC Theater During Heated Moment: 'Don't Do It Again'

Home / Entertainment / Bill Murray Confronts 'Pushy' Fan At NYC Theater During Heated Moment: 'Don't Do It Again'

By Favour Adegoke on April 4, 2025 at 11:45 AM EDT
Updated on April 4, 2025 at 1:20 PM EDT

Bill Murray made headlines after a viral video showed him confronting a fan at an NYC theater, accusing them of "physical assault."

The incident sparked mixed reactions online, with some individuals defending the actors and others claiming that he overreacted.

Days earlier, Bill Murray faced backlash for forcibly kissing actress Naomi Watts on "Watch What Happens Live!"

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Bill Murray Engages In Heated Confrontation With Fan At NYC Movie Theater

94th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals. 27 Mar 2022 Pictured: Bill Murray. Photo credit: Jen Lowery/MEGA TheMegaAgency.com +1 888 505 6342 (Mega Agency TagID: MEGA842275_019.jpg) [Photo via Mega Agency]
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In a now-viral TikTok video, Murray was caught on camera confronting an overzealous fan inside AMC Lincoln Square 13 in New York City.

The 74-year-old "Ghostbusters" star erupted angrily and pointed his finger at the person, warning: "You attack me like that again, I'll step on your foot."

Security quickly stepped in to de-escalate the situation, leading the visibly agitated actor away.

Murray, however, continued to accuse the fan of "physical assault" while sternly repeating, "Don't do it again," while the fan could be heard offering an apology.

Murray was at the theater for a special Q&A screening of "The Friend," his latest film co-starring Naomi Watts.

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The Hollywood Legend's 'Physical Assault' Remark Divided Fans

Fans took to social media to weigh in on the heated altercation, with opinions split over Murray's reaction.

"You got your foot nudged in a crowd and called it assault? Be serious," one user commented.

Another wrote, "Attack? I love Bill, but famous people think they own the air around them. You're in a public space, bud."

"Bill Murray has always been like that. Ridiculous," someone else added.

One more person wrote, "Murray is just another clown celeb. A fan stands on the back of his shoe, and he says it is an assault."

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Fans Defend Bill Murray's Reaction

Bill Murray
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While several seemed to dunk on Murray for his reaction, many supported his response.

"You have to be a number one a hole to p-ss off Bill Murray! He's a national treasure!" one user wrote.

Another said, "Good for Bill. Some people, especially paparazzi, need to learn to back off and leave people alone."

A third chimed in, "That's the AMC Lincoln Square. All the actors go there to enjoy a movie. Leave the man alone."

"Ran into Bill a few times in Downtown Charleston he is very nice and kind-hearted. You got to be really annoying to p-ss him off," a fourth added.

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Bill Murray Faced Backlash For Unprompted Kiss On Naomi Watts During Live Show

94th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals. 27 Mar 2022 Pictured: Bill Murray. Photo credit: Jen Lowery/MEGA TheMegaAgency.com +1 888 505 6342 (Mega Agency TagID: MEGA842275_019.jpg) [Photo via Mega Agency]
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The incident comes just days after Murray stirred controversy for forcibly kissing Naomi Watts during their appearance on "Watch What Happens Live!"

During the show's fan Q&A segment on Monday night, Watts was asked to name the "best onscreen kiss" of her career.

But before she could respond, the "Groundhog Day" actor abruptly pulled her hair back and kissed her on the lips.

Seemingly amused, he gave a thumbs-up to the camera while Watts, pointing at his mouth, remarked, "You've got lipstick on your face."

"Did I go red?" she asked, per The Independent, to which Murray smugly replied, "That was too easy."

Watts eventually answered the question, naming her husband, Billy Crudup, as her best onscreen kiss.

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At the time, Murray faced backlash over the kiss, with many calling his actions inappropriate. One critic on X (formerly Twitter) described the moment as "horrifying" and "disrespectful."

Bill Murray Reflects On Missed Clint Eastwood Role In His Career

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In another part of the segment, Murray revealed that he has few regrets in his long career, but one missed opportunity still lingers: turning down a chance to work with Clint Eastwood.

Explaining, Murray revealed that he passed on a potential role alongside Eastwood, possibly out of fear of being typecast.

"I was watching the Clint Eastwood movies of the day, like 'Thunderbolt and Lightfoot' or whatever the hell the movies he was making then, and I thought: 'His sidekick gets killed, and he avenges, but the sidekick gets like a great part, a great death scene," he recalled.

Murray said he decided to reach out to Eastwood, stating: "I was like, I got to call this guy. So I called him out of the blue."

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However, Eastwood's pitch didn't sit right with him. "He asked, 'Would you ever want to do another service comedy?'"

Murray explained that because he had just made "Stripes," he declined the offer, stating: "'Would I become like Abbott and Costello?' I had to do like military movies? And I said, 'Well, God, I guess maybe I shouldn't.'"

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