Who was Bill Murray's ex-wife Jennifer Butler and how many children does he have?

Publish date: 2024-07-13

Milkshake singer Kelis has struck up an unlikely relationship with actor Bill Murray, who is nearly 30 years her senior.

The pair have been 'getting close for a while' after meeting in the United States, following the passing of Kelis' husband, Mike Mora last year, from stomach cancer aged just 37.

Last weekend, the 72-year-old Ghostbusters star was spotted watching a number of his rumoured new girlfriend's most recent shows, including one 'from the side of the stage in London,' according to The U.S. Sun.

But who is his former wife Jennifer Butler? Did the pair have any children together? 

Amid the rumours of Kelis potentially being in a relationship with Murray, MailOnline reveals what you need to know about Murray's ex-wife Jennifer Butler. 

Murray married Jennifer Butler in 1997, having left his first wife Angela Kelly the year prior, after having an affair with Butler while still married to his first wife. Pictured: Murray and Butler during The 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2004

Murray married Jennifer Butler in 1997, having left his first wife Angela Kelly the year prior, after having an affair with Butler while still married to his first wife. Pictured: Murray and Butler during The 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2004

Murray was nominated for his work in the film Lost in Translation at the 2004 Golden Globes

Murray was nominated for his work in the film Lost in Translation at the 2004 Golden Globes

Murray pictured with his wife and family in 2001. Before their split after over a decade of marriage, the pair had four sons together: Caleb, now 30, Jackson, now 27, Cooper, now 26, and 22-year-old Lincoln

Murray pictured with his wife and family in 2001. Before their split after over a decade of marriage, the pair had four sons together: Caleb, now 30, Jackson, now 27, Cooper, now 26, and 22-year-old Lincoln

Who was Jennifer Butler? 

Murray married Jennifer Butler in 1997, having left his first wife Angela Kelly the year prior, after having an affair with Butler while still married to his first wife. 

Butler was a costume designer in Groundhog Day, one of Murray's most highly-acclaimed performances, as well designing costumes for Firestarter and The Last of the Mohicans. 

The pair would be married for over a decade before Butler filed for divorce in 2008, accusing Murray of domestic violence and addictions to sex, alcohol and cannabis. 

Butler unexpectedly died at the age of 54 in January 2021, with Murray not having remarried since his split from Butler. 

Her obituary read: 'Those that knew her will remember an extraordinarily kind and generous person, a woman of principle, an absolute spitfire and a fiercely loyal mother'. 

How many children does Bill Murray have? 

During their relationship, Murray and Butler had four sons: Caleb, 30, Jackson, 27, Cooper, 26, and 22-year-old Lincoln.

In addition to the four children he had with Butler, Murray also had two sons, named Homer and Luke with his first wife Margaret Kelly, who he married during the filming of Stripes in 1981. 

New rumours suggest that Murray is now dating Kelis, with the pair said to have connected of their 'shared relatively recent bereavements.'

Kelis had her first child, Knight, with then-husband, Nas, in July 2009, and her youngest two, Shepherd, eight, and Galilee, aged two, with her late spouse. 

It would mark the first public relationship Murray has been in since the tragic passing of his ex-wife Butler.  

Butler filed for divorce in 2008, accusing Murray of domestic violence and addictions to sex, alcohol and cannabis

Butler filed for divorce in 2008, accusing Murray of domestic violence and addictions to sex, alcohol and cannabis

Murray is currently in the UK, where he is filming a sequel to the 1984 film Ghostbusters. 

Murray played parapsychology professor Peter Venkman in the original version of the supernatural comedy. 

Considered to be one of the first blockbuster films to include elements of comedy, sci-fi and horror, it also featured one of the most recognisable theme tunes in Hollywood history. 

The latest instalment in the Ghostbusters franchise is currently scheduled for release in December 2023. 

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