Ed Murray, a brother of the actor Bill Murray who inspired the 1980 cult comedy Caddyshack, has died.
A statement by William Murray Golf, the Murray family’s golf wear company, said: “It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of the legend Ed Murray.
“His loss is a hole that will never be filled. Thank you for always being so gracious, Ed. Our hearts are with his lovely family. Rest in paradise, to a true family man and a gentle, sweet soul. May we honour your memory from this day forward.”
The statement did not specify Ed Murray’s age or cause of death.
Murray started caddying aged 10, the statement said, before receiving a scholarship for golf caddies and attending Northwestern University.
He served as inspiration for the character of Danny Noonan, played by Michael O’Keefe, in Caddyshack, which also starred Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield and was co-written by another brother, Brian Doyle-Murray.
Directed by Harold Ramis, the film follows the story of Noonan, who works at an exclusive golf course. The comedy developed a cult following, with ESPN describing it as “perhaps the funniest sports movie ever made”.
According to a 2015 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Ed Murray was a businessman who worked in broadcasting and later stockbroking.
He said he started caddying at the Indian Hill club in Winnetka, Illinois, carrying a bag for professional Sam Bernardi. He also caddied for golfer Chick Evans, evangelist Billy Graham and comedian Bob Hope.
“People are equal on the golf course and they were all gentlemen,” he said.
According to the statement from William Murray Golf, Ed Murray was “named after the family patriarch” and “introduced the Murray family to this wonderful game of golf”.
Another brother, the actor Joel Murray, wrote on Twitter: “Ed was the nice Murray who remembered everyone’s name.”
