6. Tootsie (1982)
Columbia Pictures
Jeff: Im going to re-write the necktie scene without the necktie. Youd be forgiven for getting that Bill Murray appeared in Tootsie even though its hardly a blink-and-youll-miss-it performance. Murrays Jeff, a drunken writer, is the roommate of Dustin Hoffmans Michael, the struggling actor who cross-dresses in order to get a role in a soap opera. The American Film Institute obviously have a thing for cross-dressing as the only film higher than Tootsie on their list of "100 Laughs" is Some Like It Hot. Curiously, then, despite being one of Murrays lesser known roles, it was in a film thats gone on to by-and-large more critical acclaim than the rest of his roles; the only other entries of his films in the list (compiled in 2000) are Ghostbusters (#28) and Caddyshack (#71). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWJv33980q8 As funny as a man in make-up is, its Murrays Jeff who steals the show as he turns up in a number of scenes such as this one, providing someone for Michael to deliver exposition to which doesnt actually sound that interesting. Murray, though, is probably one of the only actors who can make these scenes work. He blends what could be classified as the Murray persona minimalist acting, sarcastic asides with a real sense of authenticity. One reason for that is that Murray reportedly ad-libbed his entire role. Whether or not thats true is subject for debate but Tootsie would prove to be an early example for the venue for which Murray was perhaps best utilised, namely in a supporting or peripheral role, as can be seen in the likes of Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, or Zombieland.