Bill Murray and Chevy Chase engaged in a notorious physical altercation during their time on Saturday Night Live, an incident that reflects the tensions simmering beneath the surface of the hit sketch comedy show. As “SNL” celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, it’s clear that the dramas behind the scenes are as compelling as the sketches that have entertained audiences over the decades.
When Chevy Chase burst onto the scene as the host of the Weekend Update segment, declaring, “I’m Chevy Chase, and you’re not,” he quickly became the first major star of the show. However, his quick rise to fame led to resentment among his fellow cast members, particularly John Belushi, who felt sidelined by Chase’s success and eventually grew antagonistic due to Chase’s departure to pursue a film career.
In the wake of Chase’s exit, Bill Murray joined the cast, often referred to as “the new Chevy.” This introduced a level of rivalry, especially when Chase returned to host SNL’s third season in February 1978. The animosity was exacerbated by Belushi, who had been stirring the pot, having voiced his discontent about Chase’s perceived arrogance.
Chevy Chase later acknowledged that he made a significant blunder by assuming he would slide back into his old role on Weekend Update, despite Jane Curtin having taken over in his absence. Defiant and dismissive, Chase reportedly told Curtin, “Jane, let’s face it, you can’t be on the screen with me at the same time.” It was this attitude that angered Murray, who was protective of his fellow cast member.
As Murray would later recount, those in the cast felt resentment toward Chase for leaving the show during its formative years. Murray described feeling that it fell to him, as the new guy, to confront Chase—a sentiment that resonated with the collective frustrations of the SNL team, who thrived on ensemble dynamics rather than solo stardom.
The escalating tensions led to a heated exchange backstage during the live show, where verbal barbs turned into a furious confrontation. Though punches were thrown, neither actor managed to land a blow, resulting instead in a chaotic shouting match that even involved John Belushi, who was caught in the crossfire. Landis, a director present during the showdown, recalled how writers and cast members struggled to keep the two at bay as they teetered on the edge of an all-out brawl.
In the aftermath, both actors took to the stage for the live show, but the rivalry was far from over. Years later, the pair found themselves working together on the classic film “Caddyshack,” which became a pivotal point in their relationship. Murray remarked on their collaboration, noting the ease of their interaction and the mutual fun they shared on set, while Chase recognized the importance of their reconciliation, admitting that their initial tension was short-lived.
Ultimately, both actors have expressed admiration for each other over the years. Chase acknowledged that their past conflict never overshadowed their eventual friendship, stating that while they were never particularly close, they made efforts to foster a better understanding between them.
This saga of rivalry and reconciliation highlights the complexities of personal relationships within a collaborative environment, showcasing how talent and egos can sometimes clash, yet also finding pathways to camaraderie.
