Bill Murray’s brother, Ed, who inspired Caddyshack, dies | Bill Murray

Ed Murray, a brother of actor Bill Murray who inspired the 1980 cult comedy Caddyshack, has passed away.

A statement from William Murray Golf, the Murray family’s golf apparel company, said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of legend Ed Murray.

“His loss is a hole that will never be filled. Thank you for always being so kind, Ed. Our hearts are with his lovely family. Rest in paradise, with a true father and a sweet and gentle soul. May we honor your memory from this day forward.

The statement did not specify the age or cause of death of Ed Murray.

Murray began cadding at the age of 10, the statement said, before receiving a scholarship for golf cadets and attending Northwestern University.

It inspired the character of Danny Noonan, played by Michael O’Keefe, in Caddyshack, which also starred Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield and was co-written by another brother, Brian Doyle-Murray.

Directed by Harold Ramis, the film follows the story of Noonan, who works on an exclusive golf course. The comedy has developed a cult following, with ESPN describing it as “perhaps the funniest sports movie ever made.”

According to a 2015 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Ed Murray was a businessman who worked in broadcasting and later in the stock market.

He said he started caddying at the Indian Hill club in Winnetka, Ill., Carrying a bag for pro Sam Bernardi. He also caddied for golfer Chick Evans, evangelist Billy Graham and comedian Bob Hope.

“People are equal on the golf course and they were all gentlemen,” he said.

According to William Murray Golf’s statement, Ed Murray was “named after the patriarch of the family” and “introduced the Murray family to this wonderful game of golf”.

Another brother, actor Joel Murray, wrote about Twitter: “Ed was the nice Murray who remembered everyone’s names.”