He’s battled ghosts, survived the same day over and over again and made generations of moviegoers laugh. Now Bill Murray can add another achievement to his extraordinary career: pulling a pretty decent pint of Guinness.
The 76-year-old Hollywood legend delighted unsuspecting pubgoers when he made an impromptu appearance behind the bar at Rory Dolan’s Restaurant & Bar in Yonkers, New York, over Halloween.
And unlike some celebrities who wouldn’t dream of getting their hands dirty, Murray was more than happy to roll up his sleeves and get pouring.
The Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day star was photographed serving Guinness to cheering customers, chatting with locals and posing for photographs.
According to pub owner Rory Dolan, Murray arrived alone, dressed casually in black with a navy vest, and quickly made himself at home.
“He had a bottle of wine, a very nice bottle of wine, and he also had, he was drinking some beer, but he did pour a pint of Guinness,” Dolan told Fox News Digital.
And apparently, the actor knows his way around a beer tap.
“Three-part pour, which is good to see him doing it. It wasn’t his first time to do it!”
Not bad for a bloke whose day job usually involves rather more expensive refreshments in Hollywood green rooms.
Dolan said Murray had recently returned from Ireland, where he’d been filming a television series, and was keen to soak up a little more Irish hospitality.
“He was just very inquisitive, and he was very, very gracious to all,” Dolan said, describing how the actor happily chatted with customers and posed for pictures.
As luck would have it, the pub was also hosting celebrations for a patron’s 90th birthday that evening, making Murray’s unexpected appearance an even more memorable occasion.
Of course, anyone familiar with the famously unpredictable actor will know this isn’t entirely out of character.
Over the years, Murray has developed something of a reputation for turning up in the most unlikely places, from crashing strangers’ parties to joining impromptu sporting contests and even serving drinks at his son’s Brooklyn bar.
It’s all part of the wonderfully eccentric charm that has made him one of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities.
The latest pub adventure comes as Murray promotes his six-part documentary series A Course Called Ireland, which follows the actor and author Tom Coyne travelling around Ireland, playing golf, meeting locals and enjoying the country’s legendary hospitality.
It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.
Murray recently admitted that being famous isn’t always as enjoyable as people might imagine. “It’s not easy,” he said in the documentary, reflecting on the challenges of celebrity.
Nevertheless, encounters with ordinary fans have helped remind him of the goodwill his decades in showbusiness have generated. And judging by the delighted reaction of customers at Rory Dolan’s, there’s certainly no shortage of affection for the veteran star.
From Caddyshack and Stripes to Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day and Lost in Translation, Murray has spent nearly half a century entertaining audiences with his unmistakable deadpan humour.
Now, at 76, he’s proving that you don’t need a blockbuster movie to make someone’s day. Sometimes all it takes is a familiar face, a friendly chat and a perfectly poured pint.
Although if Bill Murray ever turns up behind the bar at your local, we’d suggest ordering a second round. After all, you never know when he’ll disappear again.
