In 2008 , Peter Venkman was selected by the magazine `` Empire '' as one of `` The 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time '' , described by Empire 's Nick de Semlyen as `` the ultimate New York hero : cynical , sarcastic , secretly sweet-natured '' , `` a man possessed by manic spontaneity , with a wont to twirl in circles around a public concourse or declare undying love for a woman he 's just met '' , and the `` most popular '' character played by Murray . Character .
In 2008 , Peter Venkman was selected by the magazine `` Empire '' as one of `` The 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time '' , described by Empire 's Nick de Semlyen as `` the ultimate New York hero : cynical , sarcastic , secretly sweet-natured '' , `` a man possessed by manic spontaneity , with a wont to twirl in circles around a public concourse or declare undying love for a woman he 's just met '' , and the `` most popular '' character played by Murray .