Want To Live A Bill Murray Life? Here’s How

Friday was Bill Murray Day at the Toronto International Film Festival. Participants were treated to a marathon of Murray films, including his new flick, St. Vincent. In tribute to the star, Vulture compiled some tips of how to live a Bill Murray life — which, the paper implies, is pretty good.

Topping the list — sing and be honest. The honesty part becomes apparent when Murray tells the TIFF crowd he got the St. Vincent role because producers couldn’t snag Jack Nicholson. Spontaneity and making time for your friends are also important. Evidence of the latter was Murray’s attendance at a friend’s film at TIFF despite his own busy schedule.

According to the CBC, rumors suggest that people in the industry have to call a 1-800 number to get a hold of Murray and he will call back if he’s interested. He has never had a publicist and currently has no agent.

Other tips to living a Bill Murray life: Leave yourself open to magical moments and remember only you are you. Murray told a story about meeting a cab driver who was a sax player, but had no time to practice because of his work. Murray took over driving duties while the cabbie played, after Murray learned the aspirational musician had his instrument in the trunk.

During the Bill Murray Day Q&A, the actor found a fan in the audience with a baby dressed as the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, in tribute to the Ghostbusters franchise. Murray said, “that is one good-looking baby.”

Another piece of advice from Murray: Stay relaxed to ensure an easier path to success.

“You have to remind yourself that you can do the very best you can when you’re very, very relaxed. No matter what it is, no matter what your job is, the more relaxed you are, the better you are. That’s sort of why I got into acting. I realized that the more fun I had, the better I did it, and I thought, Well that’s a job I can be proud of. I’d be proud to have that job, if I had to go to work and say, ‘No matter what my condition or what my mood is, no matter how I feel about what’s going on in my life, if I can relax myself and enjoy what I’m doing and have fun with it, then I can do my job really well.’ And it’s changed my life, learning that.”

Bill Murray’s new film St. Vincent opens in the U.S. in October.

[Image: Ben Margot/AP]