Bill Murray

Murray in 2014, photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: William James Murray

Place of Birth: Evanston, Illinois, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 21, 1950

Ethnicity: Irish

Bill Murray is an American actor, comedian, and writer. He is known for starring in the films Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, and Scrooged, among many others.

He is the son of Lucille Mary (Collins) and Edward Joseph Murray II. Both of his parents were of Irish descent. He was raised Catholic. His brother, actor Brian Doyle-Murray, appeared alongside Bill in Caddyshack and Ghostbusters, among others. His siblings, John Murray and Joel Murray, are also actors, and his sister, Sister Nancy Murray, is an Adrian Dominican nun, who travels the United States in a one-woman program portraying St. Catherine of Siena.

Bill has six children, two with his former wife, Margaret Kelly, and four with his former wife, Jennifer Butler.

Bill’s paternal grandfather was Edward Joseph Murray (the son of Andrew William Murray and Catherine/Katherine “Katie” Holden). Edward was born in Illinois. Andrew was Irish, born in Waterford, the son of William/Holden Murray and Mary. Catherine was born in Ohio, to Irish parents, James/Patrick E. Holden, from County Carlow, and Margaret Kane.

Bill’s paternal grandmother was Margaret Mary Hogan (the daughter of Martin Joseph Hogan II and Mary Burns). Margaret was born in Illinois. Martin was Irish, born in Tiperrary, Fethard, the son of Martin Joseph Hogan and Margaret Wall. Bill’s great-grandmother Mary Burns was born in New York, to Irish parents, Timothy Burns and Bridget Hughes.

Bill’s maternal grandfather was John Baptist Collins (the son of John Joachim Collins and Elizabeth Lawler). Bill’s grandfather John was born in Ohio. Bill’s great-grandfather John was born in Cork, Ireland, the son of Martin Collins and Bridget Brenan. Elizabeth was born in Ohio, to parents of Irish descent, John Lawler and Catherine Donohue.

Bill’s maternal grandmother was Mary Agnes Doyle (the daughter of Thomas J. Doyle and Elizabeth Cooney). Mary Agnes was born in Illinois, to Irish parents. Thomas was from Kerry. Elizabeth was from Cavan.

Sources: Genealogy of Bill Murray – https://www.geni.com

Genealogy of Bill Murray (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.wikitree.com

Genealogy of Bill’s father – https://www.findagrave.com

Marriage record of Bill’s paternal great-grandparents, Andrew William Murray and Catherine/Katherine “Katie” Holden – https://www.familysearch.org

Bill’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Death record of Bill’s maternal grandmother, Mary Agnes (Doyle) Collins – https://www.familysearch.org