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Peter Venkman, Ph.D. (b. 25 October 1954 in Brooklyn, New York) is a fictional scientist and member of the Ghostbusters, appearing in the films Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II and in the animated television series The Real Ghostbusters. In both the live action films, he was portrayed by Bill Murray, and was voiced in the animated series first by Lorenzo Music and then by Dave Coulier.
[edit] Character
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Peter is one of three doctors of parapsychology on the team, though he also holds a PhD in psychology as well. In the movies, he is characterized by his flippant persona, his lackadaisical approach to his profession, and his womanizing demeanor; of the three doctors in the Ghostbusters, he is the least committed to the academic and scientific side of their profession, and tends to regard his field, in the words of his employer in the first film, as "a dodge or hustle". However, he possesses more savvy and street-smarts than either Ray Stantz or Egon Spengler. With the possible exception of Winston Zeddemore, he also is the most skeptical member of the team when dealing with paranormal activity. He is the comic relief Ghostbuster and also acts as the salesman of the group. The latter duty proves critical during the Gozer Crisis when Venkman manages to persuade the Mayor of New York City with masterful rhetoric to allow the Ghostbusters to attempt to stop Gozer. In Ghostbusters II, following the break-up of the team, he hosts a psychic-themed talk show on local television.
In The Real Ghostbusters series, Peter's womanizing is toned down somewhat, but he retains his dry wit and sarcastic demeanor. While not the official leader of the group, Venkman often makes the decision whether the Ghostbusters will take a case or not. He is originally opposed to the idea of Slimer living in the firehouse, but quickly develops a love-hate relationship with the ghost. The episodes "Venkman's Ghost Repellers", "Cold Cash and Hot Water", and "Treasure of the Sierra Tamale" feature Peter's father, a con-man who couldn't make an honest dollar and was always away on business at Christmas, as mentioned in "X-mas Marks The Spot". Peter has claimed to be a Scorpio, as mentioned in "Mean Green Teen Machine".
[edit] Quotes
- "That's a terrible thing to say, Egon. You're right, of course, but it's still a terrible thing to say." ("Knock, Knock")
- "It's just that -- just that we're -- we're getting too far away from New York City! I can feel my powers draining!" ("Drool, the Dog-Faced Goblin")
- "SLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMMMMERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! What have you done to my bed!?" ("The Spirit of Aunt Lois")
- "Ray, you're about as Scottish as a Big Mac." ("Bustman's Holiday")
- Peter: "Are you, Alice, menstruating right now?"[1]
- Library administrator: "What has that got to do with it?"
- Peter: "Back off, man. I'm a scientist."
- "Get her? That was your whole plan, "get her"?"
- "Call it fate, call it luck, call it Karma, I believe everything happens for a reason."
- Ray: "Ugly little spud, isn't he?"
- Peter: "I think he can hear you, Ray."
- "He slimed me..."
- "The FLOWERS ARE STILL STANDING!"
- "We came, we saw, we kicked its ass!"
- "I make it a rule never to get involved with possessed people... Well, actually, it's more of a guideline than a rule."
- "Yes, it's true. This man has no dick."
- "Dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!"
- "OK... so... she's a dog."
- "Heat 'em up!"
- "Let's show this prehistoric bitch how we do things downtown."
- (Seeing the god, Gozer, coming toward the building as a giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man) "Now there's something you don't see every day."
- (Just prior to crossing the streams) "See you on the other side, Ray."
- "That's right boys, its Dr. Venkman!"
- "Nobody steps on a church in my town!"
- "Why worry? Each of us is wearing an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back."
- "What about the twinkie?"
- (to the mayor's aide) "Hey, I'm a voter! Aren't you supposed to lie to me and kiss my butt?"
- "Sometimes shit happens, someone has to deal with it, and who you gonna call?"[2]
- (To fat Scoleri Brother) "C'mon porky, I'm taking you home to my private zoo!"
- "We're the best, we're the beautiful, we're the only... Ghostbusters!"
- (to dancing toaster) "Oh! Oh baby, you're my new number one Christmas boutique gift item!"
- "Suck in the guts, guys, we're the Ghostbusters."
- "I have a hamper?"
- "Wait, let me have one guess... All you can eat barbecue rib night at The Sizzler?!"
- "I have all-new cheap moves."
- "Boys, boys your scaring the stright's!"
- (To psychiatrist) "Don't look at me. I think these people are completely nuts."
- "If anyone here tonight is a national monument, would they raise their right hand please? Oh, hello, miss."
- (concerning the Statue of Liberty) "It's all right. She's tough. She's a harbor chick!"
- (As the Statue of Liberty is about to smash the dome of the museum) "I love you when you roughhouse!"
- "Viggy, Viggy, Viggy, you have been a bad monkey!"
- "Oh, Johnny, did you ever back the wrong horse!"
[edit] Trivia
- Two of the actors who played Venkman also shared another role. Lorenzo Music provided the voice of the popular cartoon cat Garfield in his animated specials and television series in the 1980s and 1990s. Bill Murray later took over the role in two live-action feature films following Music's death.
