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Bruce Vilanch

Acting Born Nov 23, 1948 New York, New York 102 credits

Biography

Bruce Vilanch is an American comedy writer, songwriter, and actor who was born on November 13, 1948, in New York, New York. Known to industry professionals in Hollywood and New York as the fat guy who writes everyone's jokes, he is a six-time Emmy Award-winner. His career includes a four-year stint on Hollywood Squares as both a celebrity participant and head writer. He also performed off-Broadway in his one-man show Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous in 2000. Since 2000, he has been the head writer for the Oscars, following a ten-year tenure as an Oscar program co-writer. Additionally, he is a featured writer for the Tonys, Grammys, and Emmys. Across his career, he has accumulated 100 known acting credits.

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Career

Career overview

Bruce Vilanch is an American comedy writer, songwriter, and actor born on November 23, 1948, in New York, New York. Known within the entertainment industries in Hollywood and New York as the fat guy who writes everyone's jokes, he is a six-time Emmy Award-winner. His career includes a four-year stint on Hollywood Squares, where he served as both a celebrity participant and the head writer for the television program. In 2000, he performed his one-man show Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous off-Broadway.

As a writer for major entertainment events, Vilanch co-wrote the Oscar program for ten years before becoming the head writer for the Oscars starting in 2000. Additionally, he works as a featured writer for the Emmy Awards, the Grammy Awards, and the Tony Awards. Across his career within television and film, he has accumulated one hundred known acting credits listed on the Movie Database.

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Known for

▦ Film

Red Flesh

as Franklin Court

Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero

as Himself (voice)
Film

All Star Superman

as Arnold Schwarzenegger

RuPaul's Drag Race

as Self - Guest Judge

RuPaul's Drag Race

as Self - Special Guest
Film

You Don't Mess with the Zohan

as Bruce Vilanch
Film

Terminator Salvation

2009
Film

The Aristocrats

as Self

The Proud Family

as Tristan the Magician (voice)
Film

Get Bruce!

as Self

Hollywood Squares

as Self - Panelist

The Nanny

as Bruce Vilanch

Frequent co-stars

Whoopi Goldberg 2 shared titles
Michael D. Roberts 2 shared titles
Tom Bergeron 1 shared title
Shadoe Stevens 1 shared title
Caroline Rhea 1 shared title
Jeffrey Tambor 1 shared title
Gilbert Gottfried 1 shared title
John Moschitta Jr. 1 shared title
Brad Garrett 1 shared title
Martin Mull 1 shared title

Career timeline

Whale 52
Outstanding: A Comedy RevolutionThe World According to Allee WillisStudio One ForeverI Brake for Caterpillars
Commitment to LifeHouse HusbandsBody ElectricA Disturbance in the Force: How the Star Wars Holiday Special Happened
Queer for Fear: The History of Queer HorrorTMZ Investigates | What Really Happened to Richard SimmonsMaking the Yuletide Gay: A Very Special Paul Lynde Christmas · Writer
Live at Mister Kelly's
Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight MadnessThe Vivienne Takes On HollywoodTime Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp
The Advocate Celebrates 50 Years: A Long Road to FreedomWaiting in the Wings: Still Waiting
The Fabulous Allan CarrLimelight
Penn Zero: Part-Time HeroAnd the Oscar Goes To...I Am Divine
The Eric Andre ShowScrooge & MarleySilent but Deadly
Going Down in La-La LandVitoSister Mary
The Adonis FactorOy Vey! My Son Is Gay!Pride: The Gay & Lesbian Comedy SlamBette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On · Writer
RuPaul's Drag RaceRuPaul's Drag RaceSpring BreakdownAnnul Victory
You Don't Mess with the ZohanTru LovedSex: The RevolutionWrangler: Anatomy of an Icon
Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the WorldNaked Boys Singing! · Writer
Queer Duck: The MovieGameshow Marathon10 WaysThe Divine Ms. SusannGotta Get Off This Merry-Go-Round: 'Valley of the Dolls'
Celebrity Fit ClubThe AristocratsThe Apprentice: Martha StewartThe Divine Bette MidlerMichael Lucas' Dangerous Liaisons
The Proud FamilyCall Me ClausCircuit10 Attitudes
Get Bruce!Jackie's Back!Eloise And Her Rawther Enormous Life
Hollywood SquaresGayVN AwardsGayVN AwardsInside the Golden Statue
Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life · WriterBette Midler: Diva Las Vegas · Writer
Comic Relief VI · Writer
The NannyWorld Music Awards · WriterFor Our Children · WriterA Tribute to Sam Kinison · Production Consultant
Rachel Gunn, R.N.Love Can Be Murder
Fourth Story
The SimpsonsIt Nearly Wasn't ChristmasThe Ice Capades with Jason Bateman and Alyssa Milano · Writer
The Drifter
Walt Disney World Celebrity Circus · WriterFunny, You Don't Look 200: A Constitutional VaudevilleFunny, You Don't Look 200: A Constitutional Vaudeville · Writer
The Morning After
The Ice PiratesBette Midler: Art or Bust · Writer

Full filmography

  • Whale 52 (2025) as Kaufman
  • Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution (2024) as Self
  • The World According to Allee Willis (2024) as Self
  • Studio One Forever (2024) as Self
  • I Brake for Caterpillars (2024) as Walter Precup
  • Commitment to Life (2023) as Self
  • House Husbands (2023) as Franklin Court
  • Body Electric (2023) as Self
  • A Disturbance in the Force: How the Star Wars Holiday Special Happened (2023) as Self
  • Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror (2022) as Self
  • TMZ Investigates | What Really Happened to Richard Simmons (2022) as Self
  • Making the Yuletide Gay: A Very Special Paul Lynde Christmas (2022) Writer
  • Live at Mister Kelly's (2021) as Self
  • Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness (2020) as Self
  • The Vivienne Takes On Hollywood (2020) as Self - Special Guest
  • Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp (2020) as Self
  • The Advocate Celebrates 50 Years: A Long Road to Freedom (2018) as Self
  • Waiting in the Wings: Still Waiting (2018) as Chef
  • The Fabulous Allan Carr (2017) as Self
  • Limelight (2017) as Garrett Raynes
  • Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero (2014) as Himself (voice)
  • And the Oscar Goes To... (2014) as Self - Interviewee
  • I Am Divine (2014) as Self
  • The Eric Andre Show (2012) as Arnold Schwarzenegger
  • Scrooge & Marley (2012) as Fezziwig
  • Silent but Deadly (2012) as Uncle Bruce
  • Going Down in La-La Land (2011) as Missy
  • Vito (2011) as Self
  • Sister Mary (2011) as Farmer Jake
  • The Adonis Factor (2010) as Himself - Writer / Actor
  • Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay! (2010) as Uncle Max
  • Pride: The Gay & Lesbian Comedy Slam (2010) as Himself - Host
  • Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On (2010) Writer
  • RuPaul's Drag Race (2009) as Self - Guest Judge
  • RuPaul's Drag Race (2009) as Self - Special Guest
  • Spring Breakdown (2009) as Celebrity Judge
  • Annul Victory (2009) as Self
  • You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008) as Bruce Vilanch
  • Tru Loved (2008) as Uncle Daniel
  • Sex: The Revolution (2008)
  • Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon (2008) as Self
  • Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World (2007) as Bruce Bandersnatch (voice)
  • Naked Boys Singing! (2007) Writer
  • Queer Duck: The Movie (2006) as Bruce Vilanch (voice)
  • Gameshow Marathon (2006)
  • 10 Ways (2006)
  • The Divine Ms. Susann (2006) as Self
  • Gotta Get Off This Merry-Go-Round: 'Valley of the Dolls' (2006) as Self
  • Fucking with the Stars (2006) as Judge
  • The Making of Michael Lucas' 'Dangerous Liaisons' (2006) as Self
  • Celebrity Fit Club (2005) as Self - Contestant
  • The Aristocrats (2005) as Self
  • The Apprentice: Martha Stewart (2005)
  • The Divine Bette Midler (2005) as Self
  • Michael Lucas' Dangerous Liaisons (2005) as Self - Non-sexual Role (uncredited)
  • The Proud Family (2001) as Tristan the Magician (voice)
  • Call Me Claus (2001) as Himself
  • Circuit (2001) as Theater Stage Manager
  • 10 Attitudes (2001) as Self
  • Get Bruce! (1999) as Self
  • Jackie's Back! (1999) as Bruce Vilanch
  • Eloise And Her Rawther Enormous Life (1999) as Self
  • Hollywood Squares (1998) as Self - Panelist
  • GayVN Awards (1998) as Self - Host
  • GayVN Awards (1998) as Self
  • Inside the Golden Statue (1998) as Self
  • Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life (1997) Writer
  • Bette Midler: Diva Las Vegas (1997) Writer
  • Comic Relief VI (1994) Writer
  • The Nanny (1993) as Bruce Vilanch
  • World Music Awards (1993) Writer
  • For Our Children (1993) Writer
  • A Tribute to Sam Kinison (1993) Production Consultant
  • Rachel Gunn, R.N. (1992) as Mr. Martino
  • Love Can Be Murder (1992) as Bernie
  • Fourth Story (1991) as Flower Salesman
  • The Simpsons (1989) as Bruce Vilanch (voice)
  • It Nearly Wasn't Christmas (1989) as Philpot
  • The Ice Capades with Jason Bateman and Alyssa Milano (1989) Writer
  • The Drifter (1988) as Cook
  • Walt Disney World Celebrity Circus (1987) Writer
  • Funny, You Don't Look 200: A Constitutional Vaudeville (1987) as Writer
  • Funny, You Don't Look 200: A Constitutional Vaudeville (1987) Writer
  • The Morning After (1986) as Bartender
  • The Ice Pirates (1984) as Wendon
  • Bette Midler: Art or Bust (1984) Writer
  • Breathless (1983) as Man with Purse
  • Gayracula (1983) Writer
  • Bosom Buddies (1980)
  • Divine Madness (1980) Writer
  • John Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body (1980) Writer
  • The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) Writer
  • Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back (1977) Writer
  • The Barry Manilow Special (1977) Writer
  • Charo (1976) Writer
  • The Bette Midler Show (1976) Writer
  • The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976) Writer
  • Saturday Night Live (1975) Writer
  • Mahogany (1975) as Dress Manufacturer
  • Tony Awards (1956) Writer
  • The Oscars (1953) Writer
  • Amsel: Illustrator of the Lost Art as Himself - Interviewee