“He Refilled Our M&M’s”: Bill Murray Recalls Bruce Willis’s Humble SNL Start as an NBC Page
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Before Die Hard, before Moonlighting, and before Bruce Willis became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable action stars, he was the guy behind the scenes at Saturday Night Live refilling M&M’s and pretzels. Bill Murray, in a heartwarming and nostalgic moment, shared this memorable tidbit during a March 31, 2025 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. The story, which offers a glimpse into Willis’s humble beginnings, is a touching reminder of the power of kindness and the unpredictable paths that lead to stardom.
Murray, who was an SNL cast member from 1977 to 1980, recounted his early encounter with a young Willis, who had recently joined NBC’s Page Program. The Page Program, known for launching the careers of future entertainment giants like Aubrey Plaza and Michael Eisner, served as Willis’s entry point into the industry. As an NBC page, Willis’s job was far from glamorous—he was tasked with backstage logistics for Saturday Night Live, including the very unglamorous job of refilling snacks in the dressing rooms.
“His job was to refill the snacks—M&M’s, pretzels, that kind of thing—in the dressing rooms,” Murray recalled, laughing. “It was insane. Imagine Bruce Willis running around backstage making sure you had your candy bowl filled.”
While the role may have seemed minor, it marked the beginning of a relationship between Murray and Willis that would grow over the years.
The Power of Kindness
Though Willis was far from the action hero we’d come to know, the encounter left a lasting impression on him. Years later, when Willis became a household name, he reminded Murray of the small but significant kindnesses shown to him during those early days on SNL. “He said we were always kind to him,” Murray shared. “That stayed with me. I always thought, ‘OK, I’m good with this guy.’”
The moment speaks volumes about the impact of small acts of kindness, even in an environment as chaotic as SNL. In a world where fame and fortune often create distance, Murray’s story is a testament to how simple gestures—like taking the time to acknowledge a young man’s hard work—can leave a lasting impression.
From Backstage to Hollywood Stardom
The paths of Murray and Willis would cross again in a more professional setting. They shared the screen in Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom (2012) and later in the music-industry satire Rock the Kasbah (2013), further solidifying their mutual respect and camaraderie. By then, Willis had already become a Hollywood legend, with his rise from the NBC page program to starring in one of the biggest action franchises of all time.
In 1989 and again in 2013, Willis hosted Saturday Night Live, bringing his career full circle. It was a poignant reminder that even the most unlikely beginnings could lead to extraordinary places.
A Tribute to a Friend
The story takes on new significance in light of Willis’s recent health struggles. Following a diagnosis of aphasia in 2022 and later frontotemporal dementia in 2023, Willis has retired from public life, making Murray’s recounting of their early interactions even more poignant. What started with a simple act of kindness—refilling a bowl of M&M’s—had grown into a deep and enduring friendship, one that would span decades and bring the two men together on film sets as peers.
As Murray shared the story during a press tour for his films Riff Raff and The Friend, it became clear that the memory was more than just an amusing anecdote. It was a quiet tribute to Willis, a nod to the unpredictability of stardom, and a reminder that sometimes, the most significant moments in life happen in the least expected places. “We all start somewhere,” Murray said with a smile. “Bruce? He started with M&M’s. And look where he ended up.”
The story serves as both a testament to Willis’s remarkable journey and a tribute to the bond between two men who found common ground over candy, kindness, and shared respect for one another’s craft. In a world obsessed with instant fame, this story is a reminder that the most meaningful moments often come from the simplest acts.
