Editor: Today’s Bill Murray Story is from Karena. Thanks!
My story is not the strange or bizarre variety but rather a story of unexpected generosity. A few years back, I went on a trip to NYC with my sister and a friend to celebrate my sister’s 30th birthday. I planned the trip to include an amazing night out and made reservations at a popular restaurant in the Tribeca area. When we arrived all decked out in our birthday bash best we stood at the bar and just took in the scene while we waited for our table to be ready.
As I was scanning the room to see where we might be seated a table in the center of the dining area caught my eye – there sitting enjoying his meal was Bill Murray and his son Homer. I thought to myself that it would be so awesome to be seated next to their table, what a great birthday gift for my sister. To my surprise, that is exactly what happened. While seated next to Mr. Murray, we giggled, laughed, and OMG’d for a few minutes before we decided we had to stop. We were being very obvious and he probably would be annoyed if we continued, so we decided to focus on our meal, our drinks, and celebrating.
Boy did we dine; we laughed, we ate amazing food and drank glasses of champagne toasting to my sister’s birthday, all the while Bill and his son quietly dined next to us. Bill and his son finished up and prepared to leave. Much to our shock, as they stood to leave, Bill walked right over to our table and said, “I just have to say that you are a table of very attractive women and it has been a pleasure dining next to you”.
In complete shock, nobody knew what to say, but we told him thank you and that we were there celebrating my sister’s 30th birthday. He introduced his son and said happy birthday to my sister. We had a few more polite comments, and then he wished us a great night and left.
A minute later, our waiter came to ask us if we would like another drink. We responded “no”, that we were all set and asked him to bring the check. He smiled and said “Not to worry, Mr. Murray already paid your bill and would like you to enjoy another drink on him”. I am sure the amount of the bill was peanuts to Bill, but to us it was a complete splurge, so, what the hell – “Another round of champagne, please!” Completely true story.
Nice story! Which restaurant was it?
We ate at the Tribeca Grill, I was the birthday girl and still love to tell that story!
And without your birthday, it wouldn’t have happened–see my comment below!
Very cool story and now we know what a cool and generous guy Bill Murray is. Kudos to you and your friend that was celebrating her birthday, without whom the story would have never happened!
This so reminds me of the magical imaginary meetings I have in my mind with Bill Murray. Like being a CIT at camp Northstar and singing by the campfire uproariously laughing at his mischievous peter pan charm, We’re just buds the two of us! Ocourse I am secretly his favorite and he thinks I am hilarious.