In Town for The Toronto Film Festival

We’d like to thank Ricky for the following story.

I met Bill Murray only once in a peculiar, chance meeting.

Although I rarely go downtown in Toronto, as it’s just too busy and hard to find a parking space, one day in 2002 I went to see a visiting friend who was staying at one of the big hotels (I think it was the Sheridan).

Going into the lobby, there was quite a few people milling about and I had no idea why. It turned out that it had something to do with the Toronto Film Festival. Many there were well-dressed and wearing tuxedos, while I had on shorts and a t-shirt.

I walked over to the elevator and, when the doors opened, got on along with another man. I didn’t look at him – who does when you’re in an elevator?

Finally, he turned to me and asked, “Are you here for the film festival?”

“No”, I replied, “I’m here visiting a friend. I didn’t even know the film festival was on this week.”

It didn’t occur to me – until after I said that – that the person I was sharing the elevator with was Bill Murray.

I was a little surprised, but I’m not the ‘star gazer’ type of person, although I do love his movies.

“You should see some of the films”, he said, “You might see someone you know.”

I just laughed and said it might be a good idea.

We rode up the remaining floors in silence.

When we got to around the 20th floor, the elevator stopped and he got off, but, as he was leaving, I said, “Happy Groundhog Day to you” – just sort of a reference to let him know I knew who he was.

He turned around and smiled, then said, “Don’t let it happen to you”.

I think he is the only movie star I’ve ever met.

 

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