Bill Murray Paid “Just North Of $100,000” To Buy The Silence Of A Young Female Staffer He Kissed And Straddled On The Set Of ‘Being Mortal’: Report

Details are emerging about Bill Murray’s alleged “inappropriate behavior” that suspended production of Aziz Ansari’s Being Mortal back in April.

It was reported that the Searchlight film was shut down due to a complaint against Murray, who was set to star in the film alongside Ansari, who was also writing and directing, Seth Rogen, and Keke Palmer. A new report from Puck dives into the details of Murray’s disturbing behavior, supported by multiple sources.

It is alleged that Murray, 72, engaged in close contact with a “much younger woman,” and at one point, started “kissing her body and straddling her.” The female production staffer said that she was unable to move and called actions “entirely sexual.” Murray chalked up the misconduct to “just being jestful.”

The woman and a second staffer filed a report that reached Disney and Searchlight Pictures, which led to the production being suspended. In an effort to save the production, Murray, who “felt miserable” about the “miscommunication”, attempted to mediate the situation and eventually came to a settlement “just north of $100,000” with the younger woman, in exchange for an NDA and to waive future legal claims against the production, and all involved.

Doesn’t sound sketchy at all, right? This report came at the same time Geena Davis went public with her experience with Murray while filming Quick Change, documented in her new book, Dying of Politeness: A Memoir.

Davis was introduced to Murray at a hotel and he “insisted” on using a massage device on her. She wrote, “I said no multiple times, but he wouldn’t relent. I would have had to yell at him and cause a scene if I was to get him to give up trying to force me to do it; the other men in the room did nothing to make it stop. I realized with profound sadness that I didn’t yet have the ability to withstand this onslaught — or to simply walk out.” She also alleged that he berated her on set for “being late.”

The future of Being Mortal is unknown, with Puck hypothesizing that the film – based on the novel by Atul Gawande about hospice care – may be shopped around. But given Ansari’s own controversies with sexual misconduct, it seems like he should probably steer clear of this production.

When the news first broke, Murray commented on his behavior, saying that they were “trying to make peace” and he’s been “ thinking about her for the last week or two.” Murray also alleged that they “like each other.” However, Searchlight found that “after reviewing the circumstances, it has been decided that production cannot continue at this time.”

If you or someone you know needs to reach out about sexual abuse or assault, RAINN is available 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE (4673), or online at RAINN.org.