The notorious feud between Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss during the production of the beloved comedy What About Bob? has become part of Hollywood folklore, and it appears that reconciliation is out of the question. Known for his unpredictable behavior, which earned him the nickname “The Murricane,” Murray’s reputation precedes him. Even after nearly thirty years since the release of What About Bob?, Dreyfuss harbors such negative memories from their time together that he remains determined to avoid any interaction with Murray.
Recent revelations from an extensive oral history detailing the tumultuous creation of What About Bob? in 1993 shed light on Dreyfuss’s feelings toward Murray. When questioned about the possibility of mending their relationship, Dreyfuss’s response was as dismissive as one might expect. He stated, “Why would I do that? We left on bad terms. Oh, yeah, one day I decided to make up with Bill, about 15 years after the movie came out. I went to a restaurant that his family ran and told his brothers that I was looking to make up with him, but he was not there.” Interestingly, despite their rocky history, Dreyfuss acknowledges that Murray is a significant reason why audiences still enjoy the film today.
However, it wasn’t solely Bill Murray with whom Richard Dreyfuss had difficulties; he also struggled with the film’s director, Frank Oz. Reports indicate that Dreyfuss and Oz communicated exclusively through an assistant director, further complicating the already tense atmosphere on set. This breakdown in communication was exacerbated by Oz’s decision to exclude producer Laura Ziskin from the production, effectively creating a rift. Oz has since recounted attempts to reach out and reconcile with Dreyfuss, only to encounter further obstacles. He explained, “Years later, I wrote to him and said what a brilliant job he did. He didn’t get the attention, I think, that he should have gotten because he was not the lovable character. I wanted to let him know how highly I thought of his work. I did never did hear back. I’m not sure why. Maybe he was appreciative of it. Maybe he still had a problem with me. I don’t know. But he had a reason to have a problem with me. It was a tough shoot, and my job was to keep going forward.”
Throughout his career, Bill Murray has faced conflicts with several of his co-stars, and Richard Dreyfuss is often characterized as a bit of a curmudgeon. Given these personalities, it’s no surprise that their collaboration on What About Bob? was fraught with tension. While Murray has managed to reconcile with some former co-stars, the unresolved issues between him and Dreyfuss remain a notable exception. It seems both actors are content to let their grievances linger, without any real desire to settle the score. However, one can always hope for gradual improvements in their relationship over time.
