Roger Murtaugh
Cynical homicide detective and family man in the Lethal Weapon series.
Roger Murtaugh is a fictional homicide detective from the *Lethal Weapon* film series, created by Shane Black. Danny Glover played the character in all four movies released between 1987 and 1998, and Damon Wayans took over the role for the Fox television series that ran from 2016 to 2019. A cynical family man and a veteran of the Vietnam War, Murtaugh served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade before joining the Los Angeles Police Department in 1967. He turns 50 at the start of the first film and begins contemplating retirement, which gives rise to his signature line, “I’m too old for this shit.”
In *Lethal Weapon* (1987), Murtaugh is paired with Martin Riggs, a fellow Vietnam veteran and unpredictable detective. The two initially clash, but after Riggs saves his life, Murtaugh warms to him. Investigating the suspected suicide of a close friend’s daughter, Murtaugh learns that his old war buddy Michael Hunsaker has been laundering money for a heroin-trafficking cartel. Hunsaker is killed by the cartel’s enforcer, Mr. Joshua, before Murtaugh can get full details. The cartel then kidnaps Murtaugh’s older daughter, Rianne, to force him to reveal what Hunsaker told him. A failed ambush leads to Murtaugh being tortured, but Riggs rescues him and his daughter. Murtaugh kills the cartel’s leader, General McAllister, by shooting his driver, causing a crash and explosion. He supports Riggs in subduing Mr. Joshua, and the two kill Joshua when he tries to shoot Riggs. By the film’s end, Murtaugh abandons his retirement plans and welcomes Riggs into his family.
In *Lethal Weapon 2* (1989), a South African drug cartel, fronted by diplomat Arjen Rudd, targets Murtaugh. Rudd’s men assault Murtaugh and his wife in their home, forcing the family to relocate temporarily. To help Riggs investigate the South African consulate, Murtaugh poses as a man named Alphonse seeking to emigrate and overthrow the apartheid government. He later fights off two attackers at home with a nail gun and rescues federal witness Leo Getz. When the cartel is revealed to have murdered Riggs’s wife, Murtaugh helps Riggs track down and kill its members, including Rudd, whom Murtaugh shoots after Rudd wounds Riggs.
In *Lethal Weapon 3* (1992), Murtaugh and Riggs accidentally destroy a building with a car bomb, resulting in their demotion to patrolman. They regain their rank afte
- signature_weapon
- Smith & Wesson Model 19 .357 Magnum revolver with a 3-inch barrel
Quick Facts
- First
- Lethal Weapon (1987)
- Series
- Lethal Weapon
- Last
- Lethal Weapon (2016–2019)
- Creator
- Shane Black
- Portrayer
- Danny Glover (films) / Damon Wayans (television)
- Nickname
- Rog
- Occupation
- Police officer
- Alias
- Mayhem
- Title
- Films: / Sergeant / Patrolman (Lethal Weapon 3) / Captain & Sergeant (Lethal Weapon 4) / Television: / Detective / Captain
- Spouse
- Trish Murtaugh
- Children
- Films: / Rianne Murtaugh Butters / Nick Murtaugh / Carrie Murtaugh / Television: / Roger "RJ" Murtaugh Jr. / Riana Murtaugh / Harper Murtaugh
- Relatives
- Films: / Lee Butters (son-in-law) / Victoria Butters (granddaughter)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Roger Murtaugh is a cynical homicide detective and family man. He was a lieutenant of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War. He joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1967 and celebrates his 50th birthday at the start of Lethal Weapon. He has begun to consider retirement, hence his catchphrase, 'I'm too old for this shit.' He is partnered with 'loose cannon' and fellow Vietnam War veteran Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) to investigate a suspected suicide. Though the two initially hate each other, Murtaugh begins to sympathize with Riggs when Riggs saves his life. Over the course of the films, Murtaugh faces various cartels, including a South African drug cartel and a gun running cartel, and struggles with guilt after killing a fifteen-year-old boy named Darryl, the son of a friend of the family.
Reader's Guide
Roger Murtaugh is significant as a central character in the Lethal Weapon franchise, embodying the archetype of the weary, family-oriented detective paired with a reckless partner. His catchphrase 'I'm too old for this shit' has become widely associated with Danny Glover and has been referenced in other media, such as the television shows How I Met Your Mother and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Critics have given the character a mixed reception; the Los Angeles Times described him as a sexless character from a sitcom. Despite this, Murtaugh remains a recognizable figure in popular culture, and his dynamic with Riggs helped define the buddy cop genre.
Did You Know?
- Murtaugh's signature weapon is a 4-inch Smith & Wesson Model 19 .357 Magnum revolver.
- He served as a lieutenant of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
- His catchphrase 'I'm too old for this shit' has been used by Danny Glover in other roles, such as in Almost Christmas and a cameo in Maverick.
- In Lethal Weapon 3, Murtaugh kills a fifteen-year-old boy who was the best friend of his son Nick.
More in Lethal Weapon 1-19
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