The Wonderful Cast of What About Bob?

What About Bob? is an iconic 1991 movie starring Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss, and Julie Hagerty. The movie tells the story of a therapy patient, Bob (Murray) who follows his therapist, Dr. Leo Marvin (Dreyfuss) on vacation and drives him crazy in the process. The movie was written by Tom Schulman and directed by Frank Oz, and it was met with positive reviews and grossed over $63 million at the box office. Let’s take a closer look at the film’s extraordinary cast.

Bill Murray as Bob Wiley

Leading the cast is comedic legend Bill Murray who portrays Bob Wiley, a neurotic yet lovable patient of Dr. Marvin. It was Murray’s first film after a five-year hiatus from moviemaking. His performance is absolutely hilarious, as is his chemistry with the other characters in the film. At the time, many speculated that he had been cast because he looked so much like the late John Belushi, a former SNL colleague, and tribute was paid to Belushi with the inclusion of the song “Ramblin’ Man”, written by his band mate in the Blues Brothers. To this day, Murray’s performance is considered one of his best.

Richard Dreyfuss as Dr. Leo Marvin

Richard Dreyfuss plays a self-important and pompous psychotherapist who is put through the wringer by Bob. Dreyfuss plays him perfectly, with plenty of exasperated eye-rolling and harried outbursts, and makes for an excellent foil for Murray’s Bob. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance.

Julie Hagerty as Fay Marvin

Julie Hagerty plays Fay, Dr. Marvin’s wife. She is a good-natured and patient woman who is put through the wringer by both her husband and Bob. She makes for a sympathetic character who is truly put through the ringer, but somehow manages to remain patient and understanding. Hagerty was also nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance.

The Supporting Cast

The film also features an amazing ensemble cast, including Charlayne Woodard as Anna, Bob’s ex-girlfriend; Kenneth McMillan as Bill, Fay’s father; Kathryn Erbe as Sondra, Dr. Marvin’s daughter; and Maggie Stephenson as Layla, Bill’s nurse. These actors all bring an added layer of comedy and humanity to the film, making it even more engaging and heartwarming.

The cast of What About Bob? is one of the most beloved and celebrated casts of all time. Whether it’s Bill Murray’s brilliant comedic timing, Julie Hagerty’s sympathetic performance, or the hilarious supporting cast, the film stands out for its brilliant performances and effortless chemistry between the characters. The film is a timeless comedy classic, and it’s no wonder the cast continues to be celebrated for their performances.