Everyone loves Bill Murray – here's a few reasons why
This is allegedly Bill Murray's Christmas card from 2013. It depicts the actor by turns sultry, cheerful, adorable and finger-gunning, dressed only in a jaunty red scarf. In most cases, one would see this image, chortle, and then start looking for the Photoshop lines. But Bill Murray is no ordinary celebrity, and if anyone was going to spread festive cheer via a quartet of nearly-nude portraits, it would be him. So as it triumphs on the Loves stream – the selection of AnOther's assistant editor Tish Wrigley – we consider the tales and fables that swirl around this beloved actor.
And there are so many. He doesn't have an agent – those who want him in their movies have to call an 800 number and hope he listens to their message; he did the Garfield movie because he thought it was being directed by the Oscar-winning Joel Coen, when in fact it was the entirely unrelated Joel Cohen; he is rumoured to occasionally sneak up behind strangers, put his hands over their eyes and when they spring round, whisper "Nobody's going to believe you" and disappear. He has gatecrashed a student party in St Andrews – stayed to do the washing up – walked the Cannes red carpet in a neon checked golfing jacket and responded to an autograph request by shooting a short film for the fan. If anyone is going to send this Christmas card, it would be Bill Murray.
So as we reconsider our own festive offerings, we talk to Wrigley about her love for Bill and what she'd give him for Christmas.
Why did you love this Christmas card?
It's utterly irresistable.
Where would you display it?
I'd staple it on my front door in lieu of a clichéd wreath.
What's your favourite Bill Murray moment on film?
Every magisterially deadpan minute in Rushmore.
If you spent a day with Bill, what would you do?
Shoplifting in Fortnums, bowling, chips, karaoke, green chartreuse, house party.
What presents would you buy Bill for Christmas?
A dog umbrella, Katherine Pierpoint's Truffle Beds and a day with Phil Mickleson – the pile would smack of slavish adoration and breathless research.
What is your fantasy Christmas present?
I need a new handbag so badly. I would take either this or this.
How are you spending the holiday season?
Embedding myself into a Yorkshire sofa.
What are you looking forward to most about 2015?
February – to be spent surfing in Kerala.
