Was Brian Wilson - Bill Murray's inspiration for Caddyshack?

The inflection, timbre, facial tics

 

Could be - definitely some similarities, though Bill's performance is more of a "dumb guy" thing.

FWIW, Bill "previewed" Carl on "SNL" in 1979. He enters at about 1:00:

 

I seriously doubt that Bill Murray based that character on Brian Wilson.
I don't think many actually saw that interview here in America until YouTube came into prominence long after the interview was conducted.

 

I didn't mean to suggest it was that interview that inspired Bill Murray. I just happened to be watching that particular one when I noticed the similarities.

I seem to remember Brian Wilson doing a skit with Akroyd and Belushi. They get him in the ocean, out of his room.

 

here it is

 

It DOES seem like an imitation, haha!

 

One of the saddest aspects of Brian’s condition is that he was lucid and pretty together from his reemergence in ‘76 until the early 80’s. His second period of association with Landy (I hesitate to use the word treatment) resulted in gross overmedication that did more damage to Wilson mentally than any of his own substance abuse, according to physicians at UCLA Medical Center.

Landy may have been able to get Brian in the best physical shape of his life, but Landy’s overuse of psychiatric medications damaged Brian on a major level. It must be mentioned that Landy was a psychologist and did not have prescriptive authority. He utilized physicians to write for the medications he wanted to give to Wilson.

This clip from the Theremin documentary shows Wilson at maybe his most altered.
Heartbreaking footage.

This was at the height of his time with Landy:

 

He looks healthy there, albeit, high on meds.

OT: John cusack was a terrible choice for the film. Maybe Bill Paxton could have done better.

 

Thanks for that one! Was that ever used on SNL?

 

I agree on Paxton...

 

Not shot for "SNL" - done for a 1976 Beach Boys TV special:

The Beach Boys: It's OK (TV Movie 1976) - IMDb

 

“Don’t put your lips on it!”

 

Oops, I meant Bill Pullman.

 

I think it only aired on the Rolling Stone anniversary TV show. anyone else know for sure?

 

See post 12!

 

Have you actually seen the movie? I've been watching interviews with Brian for decades now and, though John Cusack doesn't look anything like Brian, I thought he absolutely nailed Brian's manner and speech patterns and pathos (if not his sense of humor) without it being an imitation.

I really like Paul Dano as an actor, and he looks a lot more like young Brian than Cusack did middle-aged Brian, but I didn't find his acting as convincing.

 

Why would you assume I haven't seen the movie?

Cusack did a terrible job, imo. I thought the actor that played a younger Brian was excellent.

Did you even see the movie?

 

Nah, I was just guessing

 

Pullman could look the part but might not have the acting chops to pull it off. Jeff Bridges mebbe?

 

Jeff Bridges, around the time of 8 MILLIONS WAYS TO DIE, would have been a good choice for Dennis Wilson.

 

he'll work as well! I'm a fan of both!

 

I agree...he had a Dennis Wilson vibe in the Big Lebowski.

 

I felt disturbed when I saw that!

 

it's amazing how he morphed out of that period...I wonder which period he the happiest?