Joel Murray was born on April 17, 1963, in Wilmette, Illinois. He is an actor and has had prominent roles in television series such as Mad Men, Grand, Love & War, and Dharma Greg. He has also appeared in films such as God Bless America and Monsters University.
Early Life[]
Joel was born and raised in Wilmette, Illinois, the son of Lucille, a mail room clerk, and Edward Joseph Murray II, a lumber salesman. He grew up in an Irish Catholic family. He is the brother of actors Bill Murray, Brian Doyle-Murray, and John Murray. His sister Nancy is an Adrian Dominican Sister in Michigan, who travels around the U.S. portraying St. Catherine of Siena.
In high school at Loyola Academy, Joel was captain of the football team and the lead actor in one of the school's musicals. His entertainment career began in Chicago, Illinois, where he performed at various improvisational theatres, including the Improv Olympic, the Improv Institute, and The Second City.
Career[]
Joel starred in the 1990 television series Grand, the 1991 comedy series Pacific Station, the 1992 comedy series Love & War as Ray Litvak, and the ABC series Dharma & Greg as Pete Cavanaugh. Joel also featured in commercials for First Chicago NBD. He provides his voice for the short-lived 1994 series Beethoven and the TV series 3-South. He played the supporting character Fitz on CBS' sitcom Still Standing. He appeared as Eddie Jackson on Showtime's series Shameless in 2011.
Joel's first film role was as George Calamari in the 1986 comedy film One Crazy Summer. His other roles include the 1988 comedy film Scrooged, with his brothers Bill, Brian, and John. He starred in the 1992 movie Shakes the Clown with One Crazy Summer co-stars Bob Goldthwait and Tom Villard.
In the first, second and fourth seasons of the Emmy-winning AMC TV series Mad Men, Joel appeared in 12 episodes as copywriter Freddy Rumsen. He has made guest appearances on television shows such as The Nanny, Joan of Arcadia, Two and a Half Men, Malcolm in the Middle, Criminal Minds, and Blossom.
In the 2012 film God Bless America he portrays Frank, a man whose contempt for superficiality and meanness in American society sends him over the edge into a killing spree.
In the 2013 Pixar film Monsters University, he provides the voice of Don Carlton, a middle-aged monster who is a college student and salesman.
Personal Life[]
Joel has been married to Eliza Coyle since 1989 and they have four children. He and his brother run a restaurant, "Caddyshack", named after the 1980 comedy film Caddyshack which starred his brothers Bill and Brian. He uses his free time writing, playing golf and coaching his sons in baseball and basketball.