Bill Murray bitten twice by wild groundhog on Groundhog Day set. [Image Source: PARADE]
Bill Murray recently revealed that the groundhog used during the filming of the 1993 movie Groundhog Day was actually a wild animal, not a trained one. During a 2025 interview, he recounted how the animal bit him twice, necessitating a rabies vaccination and leaving a lasting mark on his finger.
Murray’s Unexpected Encounter with a Wild Groundhog
Bill Murray, the star of Groundhog Day, discovered much later that the groundhog featured in the film was not tamed, but a wild woodchuck. On March 6, 2025, during an episode of First We Feast’s Hot Ones, the 75-year-old actor shared details of the surprising and painful experience that unfolded on set.
Murray explained that the groundhog bit him on the finger on two consecutive days, which led to him receiving a rabies shot. He mentioned that the bite left a nodule on his finger that he still has to this day.
Details of the Groundhog Bite Incident
Describing the incident, Murray said,
“He got me back to back, two days in a row,”
referring to the groundhog who portrayed Punxsutawney Phil in the film. On the second day, he attempted to protect himself by wearing steel fisherman’s gloves beneath his regular gloves. However, the animal’s teeth still managed to penetrate the steel layer.
“And the second day … I thought I was being smart, and I put some fisherman’s gloves — like steel gloves on — underneath the gloves I was wearing. His teeth went right through the steel. Yeah, their teeth are about that long.”
Murray directed his frustration toward the animal handler, asking sharply,
Image of: Bill Murray
“I got upset with the animal wrangler. I said, ‘Who the hell trained this gopher?’…with real rage, you know, ‘I am not leaving my trailer,’”
he said, describing his initial reluctance to continue filming.
The handlers then admitted that the groundhog was actually wild. Murray recalled responding with disbelief,
“‘Wild? What do you mean he’s wild?’”
They explained,
“‘We caught him just over that way, over by that field, we caught him there like two weeks ago.’”
Murray concluded wryly,
“So, you know, you get what you paid for.”
Groundhog Day and Its Enduring Legacy
The film Groundhog Day, directed by Harold Ramis, stars Murray as a cynical weatherman trapped in a repetitive time loop, forcing him to relive the same day repeatedly. The story’s unique premise and strong performances have made it a lasting classic.
Co-star Andie MacDowell also reflected on the film’s deeper meaning in a 2023 interview. She praised the movie’s enduring message, saying,
“For me, Groundhog Day was a perfect movie.”
She added,
“It’s sort of like [It’s] a Wonderful Life, in that you watch this movie and it makes you realize how gorgeous life is and how to be a good person,”
and further noted,
“There’s a really deep message to it, and I think that’s what makes it — on top of it being just fun — so beautiful.”
The story behind the wild groundhog bite incident adds an unexpected and serious dimension to the film’s production history. While entertaining and beloved, the experience reveals the unpredictable challenges involved in working with animals, especially those not accustomed to human contact.
