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Bill Murray says his behaviour led to complaint on Being Mortal film set, halting production

Bill Murray said he did something he thought was funny but "it wasn't taken that way".  (Reuters: Mike Blake)

Hollywood film star Bill Murray has acknowledged that his behaviour on set led to a complaint from a woman and the suspension of filming on his latest movie.

The actor and comedian, in his first comments about the shutdown of Being Mortal, described the incident as a "difference of opinion" but declined to provide specifics on what transpired, or who it involved.

"I did something I thought was funny and it wasn't taken that way," he told CNBC during an interview at the annual shareholders meeting for Berkshire Hathaway.

Murray said he and the unnamed woman are talking it through and "trying to make peace with each other".

He didn't say when, or if, production would resume and whether he'd continue to take part in the film.

"We're both professionals," Murray said of the woman.

"We like each other's work. We like each other, I think, and if you can't really get along and trust each other, there's no point in going further working together or making a movie as well."

The complaint against Bill Murray was reportedly filed in early April.  (AP: Chris Pizzello/File)

The 71-year-old Ghostbusters and Caddyshack comedian suggested the changing nature of what's considered appropriate humour was a factor.

"It's been quite an education for me," he said.

"The world is different than it was when I was a little kid. What I always thought was funny as a little kid isn't necessarily the same as what's funny now. Things change and the times change so it's important for me to figure it out."

Searchlight Pictures has confirmed production was suspended but has so far declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing inquiry.

The entertainment website Deadline reports the complaint against Murray was filed in early April and production was halted last week.

Being Mortal stars Murray, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer and Aziz Ansari, who is writing, directing and producing the movie.

Production started in Los Angeles in March and the film was slated to be released in theatres next year.

The film is based on surgeon and author Dr Atul Gawande's 2014 non-fiction book on end-of-life care, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End.

ABC/wires

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