Bill Murray’s ‘savage’ threat to pushy fan for getting too close at NYC theater divides Internet

The incident happened during a screening event for Bill Murray's new movie, 'The Friend', at AMC Lincoln Square 13
PUBLISHED APR 5, 2025
Bill Murray confronted a fan who accidently stepped on him at AMC Lincoln Square 13 recently (@anthony_anderson5/TikTok, Getty Images)
Bill Murray confronted a fan who accidently stepped on him at AMC Lincoln Square 13 recently (@anthony_anderson5/TikTok, Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Bill Murray was caught in a tense moment with a fan at a New York City theater, drawing mixed reactions online.

The incident happened during a screening event for his new film 'The Friend' at AMC Lincoln Square 13 on March 27, Thursday.

A TikTok video of the confrontation quickly went viral, showing Murray scolding a fan who seemingly stepped on his heel while bumping into him.

Bill Murray lashes out at  pushy fan

In the video clip, as the fan tries to film Bill Murray, he gaccidentally steps on the actor's heel. The 74-year-old 'Ghostbusters' actor stumbles and is seen turning toward the unidentified fan, pointing a finger at his face.

“Stop it! Stop it!” Murray snaps before confronting the fan. “You attack me like that again, I’ll step on your foot,” Murray warns while wagging his finger, prompting the individual to back off and apologize.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 27: Bill Murray visits SiriusXM Studios to discuss the film
Bill Murray visits SiriusXM Studios to discuss the film 'Riff Raff' on February 27, 2025, in New York City (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

“Don’t do it again,” he repeats, visibly irritated. “That is physical assault what you just did,” Murray was heard saying, New York Post reported.

A security guard intervened and took the actor away.

Murray was wearing the same outfit from the incident while speaking to moviegoers during the special Q&A presentation of 'The Friend', where he stars alongside Naomi Watts.



 

Bill Murray forcibly kisses co-star Naomi Watts during TV appearance

The confrontation followed another controversial moment for Bill Murray, which took place day a few days earlier during an appearance on 'Watch What Happens Live!' with Naomi Watts.

Naomi Watts at The Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything Festival on May 02, 2023, in NYC. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris)
Naomi Watts at The Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything Festival on May 2, 2023, in NYC ( Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

During the show’s Q&A segment, a fan asked Watts to mention the “best onscreen kiss” of her career. Before she could respond, Murray leaned in, pulled her hair back, and kissed her on the lips.



 

“You’ve got lipstick on your face,” Watts told him after the kiss, pointing to his mouth. “OK. Did I go red?” she asked, visibly taken aback by Murray's sudden move.

“That was too easy,” Murray replied before Watts named her husband, Billy Crudup, as her best onscreen kiss.

Bill Murray’s behavior sparks debate on 'personal space'

Social media users were divided over Bill Murray’s conduct at the theater. While many came to his defense, others criticized him for being too harsh on the fan.

“He got mean in his old age,” one TikTok user commented.

Another wrote, “I’ll step on your foot… that was a very cool way to handle the situation.”

Some took a harsher view, with one calling Murray “a Karen” and another writing, “Bill Murray is NOT a nice guy.”

Still, many backed him, pointing out the importance of respecting personal space. “People need to learn boundaries,” one user said.

Another wrote, “Step on foot? That’s the most savage threat I have ever heard! 😳😳😳.”

“I’m on Bill’s side like damn give the guy some space,” added another fan.

“Bill Murray is known as a good guy to the public. I don't blame him for creating a boundary here,” wrote another user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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