Bill Murray, born Sept. 21 1950, made a name for himself as a comedian, first on Saturday Night Live, and then by starring in films such as Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, Stripes, and Meatballs.

In recent years, he's proven he's not afraid to take on a more serious dramatic role with aplomb. He even earned Academy recognition with 2003's Lost in Translation, being nominated for best actor.

He lives up to his reputation as a comedic legend, and if you search around, you'll find stories of him making appearances and wreaking havoc in the most unexpected of places. Despite his success, he's very detached from the Hollywood scene, and has no agent but screens his calls and makes decisions on films for himself.

Murray is one of many stars in the stacked film Monuments Men hitting theaters this Friday. The action drama concerns the true story of a World War II platoon tasked to steal valuable artwork from Nazi thieves. The film also stars George Clooney, Matt Damon, John Goodman, and Cate Blanchett.

What with Monuments Men coming out, it seems like the perfect time to rank Murray's often-hilarious, sometimes-touching filmography. These are the top 10 Bill Murray movies.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

[ new page = Zombieland ]
10. Zombieland

It may be only a cameo, but Murray steals the show playing himself in comedy-horror Zombieland. He makes a perfect entrance, and, although he didn't make it through the whole film, he went in the best way imaginable.

[ new page = Ed Wood ]
9. Ed Wood

In one of Tim Burton's best films, Bill Murray plays real-life drag queen Bunny Breckenridge, and his version of the eccentric, effeminate man is one of the best parts.

[ new page = Moonrise Kingdom ]
8. Moonrise Kingdom

Bill Murray plays a father trapped in a troubled marriage in Wes Anderson's latest. Murray has become sort of a muse for the director, and it's easy to see why.

[ new page = Caddyshack ]
7. Caddyshack

In the role that got him recognition beyond SNL, Murray plays a slack-jawed groundskeeper obsessed with killing a dancing groundhog. Of course, he's hilarious, and Murray improvised some of his best scenes.

[ new page = The Royal Tenenbaums ]
6. The Royal Tenenbaums

Murray's second time around in a Wes Anderson film, he excels as an elderly, clueless oft-cuckolded husband.

[ new page = Broken Flowers ]
5. Broken Flowers

Jim Jarmusch's tragicomedy is hard to imagine without Murray in the lead, as an aging Don Jon trying to find out if one of his exes gave birth to his son. If you haven't seen this one, check it out as soon as possible.

[ new page = Ghostbusters ]
4. Ghostbusters

Perhaps Murray's most famous comedic role is head ghostbuster Peter Venkman, constantly cracking sarcastic jokes. It's a testament to Murray that most of his fast-paced lines are ad libs.

[ new page = Groundhog Day ]
3. Groundhog Day

Bill Murray makes use of his archetype role as an obnoxious, depressed weatherman who is inexplicably trapped living the same day over and over again. It's both hilarious and thought-provoking, and, again, the lead role seems tailor-made for him.

[ new page = Lost In Translation ]
2. Lost In Translation

In the role that deservedly earned an Oscar nod, Murray plays a fading movie star that finds an unlikely kindred soul in a neglected woman, Scarlett Johansson.

[ new page = Rushmore ]
1. Rushmore

Murray acts in so many Wes Anderson films, it was almost inevitable one of them would top the list. He plays opposite Jason Schwartzman as a mentor turned romantic competitor, displaying his full range as a depressed, cheating father who isn't above stealing a high school student's bike.