Bill Murray was and continues to be one of the finest comedic actors working today. Although his later work has been less accessible than his early work, the quality is still there. Here's some of his best scenes...

 

 

8. 'Stripes' - "Convicted? No."

One of Murray's earliest films, almost right after he left SNL, 'Stripes' would demonstrate Murray's unique ability to improvise a scene and take something totally mundane and make it hilarious. Here, he and Harold Ramis – who would later direct him in 'Groundhog Day' – are signing up for the Army.

 

7. 'Tootsie' - "I wish I had a theatre that was only open when it rained."

While 'Tootsie' is Dustin Hoffman's film, the Murricane turned up for a few scenes and pretty much stole the film away from Hoffman for those few minutes. Again, completely improvised, Murray's character drunkenly rants about theatre acting to a slowly-dwindling crowd of people at a party.

 
6. 'Caddyshack' - "I invented my own kind of grass."

'Caddyshack' is considered the hallmark for sports comedies. Adam Sandler pretty much copied it for 'Happy Gilmore' and any sports comedy to date owes a debt to it. An ensemble cast made up of Bill Murray, Chevy Chase (when he was actually funny), Rodney Dangerfield and more, the plot is daft as hell and is absolutely hilarious. Here, Bill Murray's shifty greenskeeper meets Chevy Chase after he smashes a golf-ball through his window.

 
5. 'Ghostbusters' - "Is this true?"

For our money, one of the best one-liners in the history of cinema. It shows yet again Bill Murray's unique ability to turn a mundane scene into, well, this. Amazing.

 

 4. 'Scrooged' - "Call accounting. Stop his bonus."

You have to hand it to Bill Murray and his bravery for completely committing to his role in 'Scrooged'. He is a complete and utter shit who just enjoys it. Here, he decides to fire an employee because he didn't get a joke.

 

3. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou - "I can't guarantee that, Klausie..."

Wes Anderson's films are the definition of cinematic marmite. There are those who love his irreverent sense of humour, his unique visual style and his all-round quirkiness. There are others who find him and his work contrived, self-aware and too reliant on his ability to cast almost anyone in Hollywood. Whatever your opinion, Anderson's films have been benefited from Bill Murray's involvement, none more than 'The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou'. The whole film centres on Murray's egotistical diver-explorer-filmmaker and here, he's beginning to turn it around. It's a small scene, but Murray's timing and working with Willem Dafoe makes it funny in its own way.

 
2. 'Groundhog Day' - "Ned? Ryerson?"

'Groundhog Day' is arguably Murray's greatest film. The sleazy, self-centred TV personality who manages to turn his life around in a day – sort of – and become the objection of everyone's affection is one of the best comedies ever made. This one particular scene involves Steve Tobolowsky, who you'll remember from pretty much everything. Seriously. He's been in everything. Anyway, a simple exchange turns into one of the best gags in the film. Just watch.

 

1. 'Lost In Translation' - The Karaoke Party

Unsurprisingly, Bill Murray received a nomination for his role in 'Lost In Translation'. Playing, well, himself really in a film directed by Sofia Coppola, it received four nominations at that year's Oscars. Murray didn't win an Oscar, but he won a BAFTA as well as our hearts. N'aww. This scene encapsulates the film completely. It's cool, has great music and is all about stolen glances and longing.