Pop (Culture) Quiz: Is This a Photo of Bill Murray or Tom Hanks?
Here are your clues: The subject of this image is an award-winning actor whose credits stretch back decades. While he’s known for his comedy chops, he’s also successfully taken on dramatic roles. The star is in his 60s, has a reputation for being down-to-earth, and has a close affiliation with Saturday Night Live.
The answer is Bill Murray, although Hanks also fits the description. The two have long had similar careers, but now the Internet is convinced that they also look alike, thanks to the above photo shared by a fan named Lauren DiMichele-Ross three years ago that has found new life. The image was snapped of Murray — yes, it is definitely Murray — at a golf course in Scotland by the husband of DiMichele-Ross in 2012. She later shared it on Facebook in a group called “Reasons My Son Is Crying,” obviously listing the cause for the tears that time as “he met Bill Murray.”
Related: Bill Murray Spotted Eating French Fries Off a Stranger’s Plate
DiMichele-Ross explained to the BBC that she had the photo autographed by Murray in 2014, and that her now 4-year-old son Alexander is a big Ghostbusters fan. Still, he doesn’t recall the apparently traumatic moment he first encountered Murray.
He “doesn’t know who Bill is,” she said.
Hmm, suddenly neither does the Internet.
I don’t know whether *any* photo of Tom Hanks or Bill Murray is a photo of Tom Hanks or Bill Murray. So.
— Vann R. Newkirk II (@fivefifths) October 26, 2016
TIL I can’t tell the difference between Upset Tom Hanks and Regular Bill Murray pic.twitter.com/8MKEFioAgG
— GreyVE DIGGER ☠️ (@_GreyWhite) October 25, 2016
I was certain this photo was Tom Hanks. But it’s Bill Murray. Mind blown. ???? pic.twitter.com/nFf3ZVmkUO
— Stephen Robinson ⚡️ (@xstex) October 26, 2016
We’re pretty sure Murray and Hanks are both going to love this.