When Bill Murray Reprised ‘Groundhog Day’ Role in Super Bowl Ad
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell in Groundhog Day
Decades after Bill Murray’s classic role as “Phil Connors” from the 1993 romantic comedy, Groundhog Day, the actor reprised it in a 2020 commercial for Jeep®. The 60-second spot had its broadcast debut during Super Bowl LIV, which fell on Groundhog Day for only the second time in its 54-year history. The ad also features original film actors Stephen Tobolowsky and Brian Doyle Murray as insurance salesman “Ned Ryerson” and Punxsutawney town official “Buster Green,” respectively, and, of course, a real groundhog.
Bill Murray reprised his “Groundhog Day” film role for Jeep brand’s Super Bowl Commercial
The film returned to theaters in 2023 for its 30th anniversary. A 30th anniversary Ultra HD edition is available for purchase here.
In the original film, Murray portrays a weatherman caught in a personal time warp on the worst day of his life. Teamed with a relentlessly cheerful producer (Andie MacDowell) and a smart-aleck cameraman (Chris Elliott), Murray’s Phil Connors is sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities.
After a surprise blizzard traps him in small-town hell, things get even worse; Phil wakes the next morning to find it’s Groundhog Day all over again… and again…and again.
Watch the original film’s trailer
In the commercial, “Phil Connors” enlists the help of the Jeep Gladiator as his “getaway vehicle” after taking the groundhog, thus significantly altering his days for the better.
The spot opens as the clock turns 6:00 a.m. “I Got You Babe” by Sonny & Cher starts playing, replicating the scene from the film. Connors himself suddenly sits upright in bed. Twenty-seven years later, he’s stuck in Punxsutawney once again. The Jeep brand worked closely with Sony Pictures to ensure authenticity with the original film.
“This is my first commercial. I’m glad I did it with (Jeep),” said Murray, in the announcement. “And I’m glad that this is my last commercial, as well.”
Locations featured in the commercial include the original bed-and-breakfast where Murray’s character wakes up every morning; the Town Square where the Groundhog Day Festival takes place in the original movie; and the restaurant (in Woodstock, Ill.), where Murray’s and MacDowell’s characters toast to “world peace” in the original movie. The film is available for streaming here.
Watch the “Groundhog Day 2020” ad
Actor Brian Doyle-Murray is Bill Murray’s real-life older brother.
Related: Watch Bill Murray in SNL‘s classic lounge singer sketch
1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationThese scenes put a smile on my face=thanks
for taking us back again…I’ve Got You Babe…one more time!