Bill Murray Pays Tribute To Friend, Director Harold Ramis

Bill Murray had an opportunity to pay tribute to a long time friend, recently deceased actor, director, writer Harold Ramis. Ramis, associated with many classic movies such as Caddyshack, National Lampoon’s Vacation, and Ghostbusters, passed away just six days prior to the 2014 Oscars. As Murray walked to the rising microphone to give the award for Best Cinematography, Amy Adams clinging to his hand, he looks to the ceiling. It’s not a breaking news moment by many, but he seems to be looking for, or at, Harold Ramis, his old friend.

After doing his duty of reading the names of the nominees for the Academy Award, Bill Murray interjects the following statement, “We forgot one. Harold Ramis for ‘Caddyshack,’ ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Groundhog Day’.” which earned applause from the well engaged audience of Hollywood elites. Murray, looking like a mad scientist, with his beautiful assistant at his side, reveled in the glowing response the audience gave. While the Oscar was given to Gravity, despite Bill Murray’s attempt to interject his friend’s body of work into the nomination, Harold Ramis was given a fitting, loving, spur of the moment tribute, which surely he could not have written better himself.

Murray had been quite active recently holding an AMA (Ask Me Anything) chat on Reddit, appearances on Letterman and other talk shows. His plate had been quite full with a full docket of movie appearances as well as mini series and TV show cameos. Bill Murray’s touching, short tribute will go down as one of the more memorable moments of this year’s Oscars along with Lupita Nyong’o and Matthew McConaughey’s acceptance speeches for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actor in a Leading Role respectively.

Always seen as a trailblazer, Bill Murray seems to always keep himself in the limelight, or just outside the limelight, always ready to step in. He is seen as one of Hollywood’s classy funnymen, and is loved and respected by all that know him. In this current state of “what outrageous thing can I do to keep myself in the news” celebrities and reality show stars, Bill Murray shows them all how to be a real star. In a career that spans more than 40 years, Murray has been a favorite of fans, peers, and movie executives. A true professional, comedian, and friend.

Harold Ramis could not have had a more fitting tribute, on Hollywood’s biggest night and nobody could deliver it better than Bill Murray.