Bill Murray faces backlash over masked kiss causing movie shutdown
- In 2022, Bill Murray kissed a woman on set while both were masked due to Covid-19 protocols, believing it was a humorous act.
- The incident led to allegations of sexual misconduct and resulted in the suspension of the film's production.
- Murray described the aftermath as confusing and disappointing, stating that he felt unfairly treated in the arbitration process.
In 2022, during the filming of the movie 'Being Mortal' directed by Aziz Ansari, actor Bill Murray was involved in an incident that led to serious allegations of sexual misconduct. The incident occurred on set while both Murray and the unnamed woman were wearing masks as part of Covid-19 protocols. Murray initiated a kiss through masks, believing it was a humorous action. However, this act triggered a complaint from the woman, which resulted in the production being halted indefinitely. The woman involved has remained unidentified and has not publicly commented on the situation. Murray reflected that he had known the woman and thought the act was playful, but the fallout was significant. He described his feelings of disappointment and confusion, stating that he was left feeling 'barbecued' by the situation, illustrating his distress over how the event escalated without any prior dialogue or understanding. Compounding the issue, he entered into mediation with the woman, which ended in him paying a settlement exceeding $100,000. Murray expressed frustration regarding the arbitration process, criticizing it as ineffective and misleading. In interviews following the incident, he highlighted the absurdity of the situation and reiterated that what he intended to be a light-hearted moment was interpreted negatively. This experience, according to Murray, has greatly impacted him, contributing to a broader discussion around consent and the complexities of interactions in professional settings, especially during the heightened sensitivities surrounding the pandemic.