Are you a fan of the 1989 holiday classic, Christmas Vacation? If so, you must be familiar with the character of Frank Shirley, Clark Griswold’s boss. And if you’ve ever wondered whether the actor playing Frank Shirley is related to Bill Murray, then this article is for you.
First things first, let’s address the question directly – no, Bill Murray’s brother, Brian Doyle-Murray is not in Christmas Vacation playing the role of Frank Shirley. However, he does have a smaller role in the film that often goes unnoticed.
Brian Doyle-Murray plays the character of Mr. Frank Stottlemeyer in the movie. You might recall him as one of Clark’s snobby neighbors who refuse to participate in his extravagant Christmas light display. He also appears briefly during a scene at Clark’s office Christmas party.
Doyle-Murray is an accomplished actor and comedian with a career spanning over four decades. He has appeared in several movies and TV shows including Caddyshack, Ghostbusters II, The Middle, and SpongeBob SquarePants among others.
Now that we’ve cleared up Brian Doyle-Murray’s role in Christmas Vacation let’s dive into his impressive career history.
Born on October 31st, 1945 in Chicago Illinois, Brian Doyle-Murray began his showbiz journey as a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live during its early years. He wrote for several seasons before making his on-screen debut alongside his younger brother Bill Murray during season four.
Apart from SNL, Brian has lent his writing talents to various popular TV shows such as The National Lampoon Radio Hour and SCTV Network 90′. On top of that, he has lent his voice to many animated characters including The Flying Dutchman in SpongeBob SquarePants and Captain K’Nuckles in Adventure Time.
In conclusion, while it may seem like Brian Doyle-Murray isn’t in Christmas Vacation, he does make a memorable appearance in the film as Mr. Frank Stottlemeyer. He’s a talented actor and comedian who has contributed significantly to the entertainment industry throughout his career.