Seth Green’s Childhood SNL Nightmare with Bill Murray
Seth Green opens up about a disturbing backstage incident with Bill Murray during his childhood appearance on Saturday Night Live, revealing a side of the comedy legend rarely seen by the public.
Bill Murray’s reputation as a comedy legend has been built on decades of memorable roles, from Groundhog Day and Ghostbusters to Lost in Translation and Fantastic Mr Fox. But behind the scenes, stories have surfaced over the years that paint a much less flattering picture of the bloke. He’s been called out for being tough to work with, and there have even been more serious accusations, including a heated clash with Lucy Liu on the set of Charlie’s Angels and allegations of inappropriate behaviour on Being Mortal, where he reportedly crossed the line with a crew member. These incidents have left many wondering how he managed to stay in the good books of Hollywood for so long.
It turns out, even kids haven’t been spared from Murray’s questionable antics. Seth Green, who started acting as a youngster, shared a particularly rough memory from his early days in the industry. Appearing on Good Mythical Morning in 2022, Green recalled being just nine when he had a run-in with Murray that left a lasting mark. He was on Saturday Night Live for a segment with Mary Gross, who was doing a bit about kids’ thoughts on Christmas. Murray, a former SNL regular, happened to be hosting that episode.
Backstage Tension and a Power Play
Green remembered sitting on the arm of a couch backstage, waiting for his turn. That’s when Murray spotted him and made a scene about the seat. Green thought the fuss was over the top, especially since there was plenty of room.
“That is absurd. I am sitting on the arm of this couch. There are several lengths of this sofa. Kindly eff off.”
His mum suggested he move, but Green didn’t see why he should. Murray insisted, saying,
“That’s my chair.”
Green couldn’t believe an adult would be so bothered by a kid in his spot.
“Are you this much of a jerk? This rude to tell a nine year old to get out of your chair. What is this power play?”
Instead of letting it go or having a quiet word, Murray took things to another level. Acting more like a schoolyard bully than a seasoned performer, he decided to physically move Green. The young actor described what happened next in vivid detail.
A Traumatic Encounter
Green said Murray picked him up by the ankles, held him upside down, and dangled him over a rubbish bin.
“He picked me up by my ankles. Held me upside down…He dangled me over a trash can and he was like, ‘The trash goes in the trash can.’ And I was screaming, and I swung my arms, flailed wildly, full contact with his balls. He dropped me in the trash can, the trash can falls over. I was horrified. I ran away, hid under the table in my dressing room and just cried.”
The whole thing left Green shaken and in tears, hiding out in his dressing room after the ordeal.
Behind the Curtain of a Comedy Icon
Stories like this one from Green add to a growing list of accounts that show a different side to Murray than the one fans see on screen. For many, it’s a reminder that fame doesn’t always mean someone’s easy to work with—or even kind, especially when the cameras aren’t rolling. The incident stuck with Green for years, a stark example of how even the most celebrated figures can have moments that are hard to forget, especially for those on the receiving end.