Bill Murray has a large brood of all boys.
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At a Glance
- Six sons from two marriages.
- Two eldest-Homer (43) and Luke (40)-have careers outside Hollywood.
- The youngest, Lincoln (20), remains largely out of the spotlight.
- Why it matters: The actor’s family life offers a rare glimpse into how a Hollywood legend balances fame with fatherhood.
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Bill Murray’s family story is one of love, change, and unexpected career paths. He has six sons, two from his first marriage to Margaret Kelly and four from his second marriage to Jennifer Butler. While the eldest have carved out their own identities, the youngest have stayed largely private.
Family Overview
Murray’s first marriage to Margaret Kelly lasted from 1981 to 1996. Together they had two sons:
- Homer Murray, born March 3, 1982.
- Luke Murray, born April 1, 1985.
After the divorce, Murray married costume designer Jennifer Butler in 1997. The couple had four sons before separating in 2008:
- Caleb Murray, born January 11, 1993.
- Jackson Murray, born October 6, 1995.
- Cooper Murray, born January 27, 1997.
- Lincoln Murray, born May 5, 2005.
Murray has said the divorce was difficult but ultimately brought him closer to his children.
> “As much as the divorce was very hard, the fallout of it has been really great. I ended up much closer to my guys than I ever would have been,” he told Esquire in 2012.
Homer Murray: From Hollywood to the Kitchen
Homer, now 43, chose a culinary path. He co-opened 21 Greenpoint, a restaurant in Brooklyn, in September 2016 with partner Syd Silver.
- Key moment: Murray attended the opening and served drinks behind the bar.
- Community focus: In May 2020, Homer and his father hosted a Nacho Challenge livestream to raise money for the Restaurant Employees Relief Fund.
> “We want people to come and have fun. People can walk in; just be nice. What my dad lacks in experience, he makes up for in tequila,” Homer told Eater NY.
Murray’s pride in his son is evident. On 21 Greenpoint’s website, he wrote:
> “Homer has taken the joy of the family to have a drink, have a meal, and have friends together in one place, and made it his life’s work.”
Luke Murray: Coaching the Next Generation
Luke, 40, pursued a career in basketball coaching. He is an assistant coach for the University of Connecticut (UConn) men’s team.
- Historic win: On April 3, 2023, Luke helped UConn secure the NCAA Men’s Championship.
- Personal moments: Murray attended several games during March Madness and expressed pride in Luke’s hard work.
Luke has openly discussed differences with his father. In March 2017, he told USA Today Sports that he is not as funny as Murray, but prefers it that way.
> “I think that’s pretty clear early on. We’re different people, and I think [Murray] probably likes it that way,” Luke said.
He also noted his better fashion sense compared to his dad’s distinctive style.
> “I have better fashion sense than my dad, who used to attend my games in Ugg boots, purple shorts and a fur vest.”
In 2015, Murray skipped the Emmy Awards to attend Luke’s wedding in Philadelphia, underscoring his family priorities.
Caleb, Jackson, Cooper, and Lincoln: Private Lives
The four younger sons have maintained a low profile.
| Son | Birthdate | Notable Public Mention |
|---|---|---|
| Caleb | Jan 11, 1993 | Shared a story about being introduced to Adele in 2016. |
| Jackson | Oct 6, 1995 | Discussed parenting advice in a 2012 Esquire interview. |
| Cooper | Jan 27, 1997 | Appeared in a small role in Moonrise Kingdom and four episodes of The Now in 2021. |
| Lincoln | May 5, 2005 | Mentioned briefly in a 2012 Esquire interview, interrupting to share a Cubs score. |
Caleb Murray
Murray’s first son with Butler, Caleb, is 33. In 2016, he recalled how his brothers’ love for Adele led him to become a fan.
> “I became a fan when I was driving my sons to school. I had Adele on, and I look in the rearview mirror and all three of my sons are in the back singing. And I’m thinking, ‘What the hell touched these guys?’ So I started singing it myself after I dropped them off.'”
Jackson Murray
Jackson, 30, shares his father’s preference for privacy. In 2012, Murray offered parenting advice:
> “If you bite on everything they throw at you, they will grind you down. You have to ignore a certain amount of stuff. I have to love you, and I have the right to ignore you.”
He also reflected on his own upbringing, noting that his father’s answer to birthday wishes-“Peace and quiet”-was now appreciated.
Cooper Murray
Cooper, 29, is the only son with an acting interest. He had a cameo in Moonrise Kingdom and appeared in The Now in 2021.
> “For many years I was a tough laugh, but lately I’ve been giving it up. I appreciate when they’re trying to be funny, you know? I think they feel like they have to be funny, that I’ve got some standard of humor that they have to come to.”
Lincoln Murray
Lincoln, 20, remains almost entirely out of the spotlight. He was mentioned once in a 2012 Esquire interview when he excitedly told his father the score of a Chicago Cubs game.
> “Hey, Dad. Bryan LaHair hit a grand slam,” Lincoln, then 10, told his dad during the interview.
Murray’s pride in his family is clear. Despite the challenges of divorce and public life, he has maintained close ties with his sons, many of whom have pursued careers outside of entertainment.
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Key Takeaways
- Bill Murray’s six sons have carved distinct paths-chefs, coaches, actors, and private individuals.
- The actor’s openness about family dynamics offers insight into balancing fame and fatherhood.
- Despite a messy divorce, Murray reports a stronger bond with his children.
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