William James Murray is an American comedian, producer, film director and actor. He was raised in Wilmette, Illinois and graduated from Loyola Academy.

Murray initially rose to prominence as a cast member of and a writer for NBC's Saturday Night Live television series from 1977 to 1980. He had previously been a featured player on the National Lampoon Radio Hour, aired nationally on some 600 stations between 1973 and 1975. Other cast members included John Belushi, Gilda Radner and his older brother, Brian Doyle-Murray.

Most of his roles have been comedic, featuring Murray's dry wit. However, he has also played serious (or at least semi-serious) roles in films such as Mad Dog and Glory, The Razor's Edge, Rushmore and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. He also garnered considerable acclaim (an Academy Awards nomination, and Golden Globes and BAFTA awards) as the lead in the 2003 film Lost in Translation.

Murray is the fifth of nine children in a large, Irish Catholic family. Three of Murray's siblings are also actors: John Murray, Joel Murray and Brian Doyle-Murray. All four Murray brothers appeared in the 1988 film Scrooged. He is a partner with his brothers in the restaurant chain managed by a former Chief Operating Officer of the Hard Rock Cafe. This Florida and South Carolina eatertainment chain is called Murray Bros. Caddy Shack.