Today is not Bill Murray’s birthday, but that didn’t stop the Toronto International Film Festival from toasting the legendary comedian. After all, does anyone really need a reason to celebrate his comedic genius?
The real reason for Bill Murray Day at TIFF is his latest movie, St. Vincent. It doesn’t actually tell the story of the singer St. Vincent, but is actually about a life-long complainer stuck baby-sitting a young boy, played by Jaeden Lieberher. The boy’s mother is played by Melissa McCarthy. Theodore Melfi directed, while Naomi Watts and Chris O’Dowd also star.
Organizers for the festival did more than just show the film. As Reuters notes, they invited fans to dress up as Murray’s best-known characters. There were also screenings of Stripes, Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day.
The Associated Press notes that Stripes and Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman was invited to host Q&A sessions before those films were screened. Of course, the man of the hour, Murray was there as well.
Anyone who didn’t make it to the festivities but is still in Toronto this weekend should be on the lookout for other Murray appearances. He often enjoys making surprise appearances, so you never know where he will pop up.
Murray was last seen in Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. St. Vincent hits theaters on Oct. 24.
image courtesy of Peter West/ACE/INFphoto.com