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Bill Murray's Elusive Start on Meatballs Set
29 Sep
Summary
- Bill Murray's appearance on the Meatballs set was uncertain until the last minute.
- The film Meatballs grossed $70 million on a budget under $2 million.
- Murray's arrival was famously unpredictable, characteristic of his career.
The filming of the 1979 comedy "Meatballs," which served as Bill Murray's big-screen debut, was nearly derailed by the actor's notoriously elusive behavior. Co-star Kristine DeBell shared that uncertainty surrounding Murray's arrival was a constant on the set, a pattern that seemed to define his approach to projects throughout his career.
DeBell recounted on a recent podcast episode that "no one was sure Bill was coming" to the "Meatballs" set, noting it was typical behavior for the rising star who had recently joined "Saturday Night Live." Producer Dan Goldberg also corroborated this, stating that even three days before shooting began, there was no certainty of Murray's commitment.
Despite the initial apprehension, Murray did participate in the entire shoot. The film ultimately achieved remarkable success, earning $70 million against a production budget of less than $2 million. This unlikely beginning for a comedy classic is further highlighted by the unique details of Murray's eventual appearance, including his distinctive Hawaiian shirt and alarm clock accessory, which became part of the film.
