Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Bruce Vilanch (born November 23, 1948) is an American comedy writer, songwriter and actor. He is a six-time Emmy Award-winner known to industry professionals in Hollywood and New York as "the fat guy who writes everyone's jokes." He is likely best known for his four-year stint on Hollywood Squares, as both a celebrity participant and head writer for the show. He also performed off-Broadway in his one-man show Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous in 2000. Since 20...
Known For
Complete Filmography

The Kashyyyk Life Day Carol
2025
Original Film Writer
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away MALLA THE WOOKIEE is worried her husband, CHEWBACCA, won’t make it home in time for LIFE DAY! Cooking, clas...

The World According to Allee Willis
2024
as Self
Take one look at award-winning songwriter / artist Allee Willis and you see someone unafraid to be themselves. Dressed in a cacophony of prints and co...

I Brake for Caterpillars
2024
as Walter Precup
Misdiagnosed with a terminal illness, a computer nerd dates his hospice worker, while suspecting someone is out to get him.

Studio One Forever
2024
as Self
A documentary film about Studio One which, from 1974 to 1994, was the center of queer nightlife in West Hollywood as well as the staging ground for th...

Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
2024
as Self
This rapturous documentary steps into the dynamic world of queer stand-up and examines the powerful cultural influence it has had on social change in ...

Body Electric
2023
as Self
With 25% of all body dysmorphic disorders stemming from the LGBTQ+ community, and 42% of all males with eating disorders identifying as gay men, filmm...

A Disturbance in the Force: How the Star Wars Holiday Special Happened
2023
as Self
In 1978, CBS aired the “Star Wars Holiday Special” the week before Thanksgiving to an audience of 13 million people. Considered one of the worst shows...

Making the Yuletide Gay: A Very Special Paul Lynde Christmas
2022
Writer
A fun take on the classic TV Christmas specials from the 60s, 70s and 80s - written by the show’s head writer, Emmy-winner, comedian and gay icon, Bru...

TMZ Investigates | What Really Happened to Richard Simmons
2022
as Self
Investigating why beloved fitness icon Richard Simmons hasn't been seen for over eight years. TMZ speaks to the people closest to him including Bruce ...

Live at Mister Kelly's
2021
as Self
The iconic Mister Kelly’s bedazzled the country by launching superstars like Barbra Streisand, Richard Pryor, Bette Midler, and Steve Martin. It smash...

Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp
2020
as Self
The final volume of Time Warp digs deep into what makes us laugh over and over again as we reveal the greatest cult comedies and campy classics of all...

Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness
2020
as Self
From "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" to "The Big Lebowski" and everything in between, this fascinating deep-dive documentary begins its celebration of...

Waiting in the Wings: Still Waiting
2018
as Chef
The stripper Tony and the naive enthusiast Anthony, two entertainers, destined for the big time, who are mismatched in a casting office from two very ...

The Advocate Celebrates 50 Years: A Long Road to Freedom
2018
as Self
Documentary exploring The Advocate's role at the forefront of the LGBT movement in the U.S.

Limelight
2017
as Garrett Raynes
In a society obsessed with fame, validation, and social media, one small-town narcissist pulls out all the stops in his pursuit of absolute stardom.

The Fabulous Allan Carr
2017
as Self
Armed with a limitless Rolodex and a Benedict Canyon enclave with its own disco, Allan Carr threw the Hollywood parties that defined the 1970s. A prod...

I Am Divine
2014
as Self
Harris Glenn Milstead, aka Divine (1945-1988) was the ultimate outsider turned underground hero. Spitting in the face of the status quos of body image...

And the Oscar Goes To...
2014
as Self - Interviewee
The story of the gold-plated statuette that became the film industry's most coveted prize, AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... traces the history of the Academy ...

Scrooge & Marley
2012
as Fezziwig
A modern day, queer variation on Charles Dickens' classic story of the holidays, "A Christmas Carol." On Christmas Eve, Ben Scrooge, the man who hates...

Silent but Deadly
2012
as Uncle Bruce
Senior citizens are being offed by a masked killer in their small retirement community.

Vito
2011
as Himself
In the aftermath of Stonewall, a newly politicized Vito Russo found his voice as a gay activist and critic of LGBTQ+ representation in the media. He w...

Sister Mary
2011
as Farmer Jake
Homophobic detective Mark Rima must "partner" up with the very gay and flamboyant Detective Chris Riant to stop a serial killing Nun from offing 5 ban...

Going Down in La-La Land
2011
as Missy
A fresh face comes to Hollywood to act in movies but only the gay porn studios are eager to provide him with work.

Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On
2010
Writer
Filled with plenty of girls and gags and an enchanting repertoire of her greatest hits, The Showgirl Must Go On was a concert residency at The Colosse...

The Adonis Factor
2010
as Himself - Writer / Actor
Gay men and their pursuit of physical perfection. When it comes to looks and body image, gay men can be a pretty tough crowd. Men are visually progra...

Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!
2010
as Uncle Max
Nelson and Angelo, a gay couple, decide to come out to their parents. However, when they do so, their parents find it difficult to cope with the news.

Pride: The Gay & Lesbian Comedy Slam
2010
as Himself - Host
Gay & Lesbian Comedy Show Hosted by the Oscars resident writer for the past 17 years and comedy satirist Bruce Villanch, "Pride" the Gay & Lesbian Com...

Spring Breakdown
2009
as Celebrity Judge
Three women in their thirties head to a popular Spring Break destination and try to relive the Spring Break they never had.

Annul Victory
2009
as Self
Annul Victory is a documentary on the fight for marriage equality and the Proposition 8 election battle. The film documents the roller coaster ride of...

Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon
2008
as Self
The outrageous story of 1970s porn icon Jack Wrangler, and how he rose to the top of the gay, and then straight, adult film industry.

You Don't Mess with the Zohan
2008
as Bruce Vilanch
An Israeli counterterrorism soldier with a secretly fabulous ambition to become a Manhattan hairstylist. Zohan's desire runs so deep that he'll do any...

Tru Loved
2008
as Uncle Daniel
Recently relocated from San Francisco to conservative suburbia by her lesbian mothers, Tru struggles like all teens to fit in and find love, but her q...

Naked Boys Singing!
2007
Writer
This whimsical Off-Broadway hit musical is aptly reworked and transferred to the screen. The self-descriptively titled Naked Boys Singing is a musical...

Fucking with the Stars
2006
as Judge
"Fucking with the Stars" fares less well as a send-up of the similarly-named TV show than as an opportunity for Coco LaChine and Chi Chi LaRue to do t...

Gotta Get Off This Merry-Go-Round: 'Valley of the Dolls'
2006
as Self
We look at why Valley of the Dolls is so beloved and appreciated, both for its "badness" and hidden merits. Valley Of The Dolls is considered either a...

Queer Duck: The Movie
2006
as Bruce Vilanch (voice)
Queer Duck and his partner of 18 months (a lifetime in gay years), Stephen Arlo "Openly" Gator, hit a relationship crisis when the fey fowl is wooed b...

The Aristocrats
2005
as Self
One hundred superstar comedians tell the same very, VERY dirty, filthy joke--one shared privately by comics since Vaudeville.

Michael Lucas' Dangerous Liaisons
2005
as Self - Non-sexual Role (uncredited)
Lust, betrayal, murder, and deceit all come alive in Michael Lucas' most anticipated film to date. Michael Lucas' Dangerous Liaisons, based on Choderl...

The Divine Bette Midler
2005
as Self
Follow the career of the Divine Miss M -- singer and actress Bette Midler -- from the bathhouses to Broadway to starring film roles. This A&E biograph...

Call Me Claus
2001
as Himself
When Lucy Cullins, a successful but cranky producer at a home shopping network hires an actor named Nick to play Santa Claus on the network, she gets ...

Circuit
2001
as Theater Stage Manager
The hunky John is a closeted small-town cop who moves to L.A., where he is quickly seduced into the gay life of workouts and dusk-to-dawn parties. Wit...

10 Attitudes
2001
as Self
A Jewish man discovers his boyfriend of 10 years has been cheating on him, and decides to embark on a dating spree.
Eloise And Her Rawther Enormous Life
1999
as Self

Jackie's Back!
1999
as Bruce Vilanch
A British documentarian profiles washed-up diva Jackie Washington as she prepares for her comeback concert.

Get Bruce!
1999
as Self
Affectionate tribute to Bruce Vilanch, who writes material for celebrities who make public appearances, from Oscar hosts and award recipients to Presi...

Inside the Golden Statue
1998
as Self
A behind-the-scenes look at the preparations for the live broadcast of the 69th Annual Academy Awards ceremony.
Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life
1997
Writer
A special celebrating Elizabeth Taylor's 65th birthday featuring never-before-seen footage of her life and career.

Bette Midler: Diva Las Vegas
1997
Writer
Diva Las Vegas was a show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas starring Bette Midler performing as singer and comedian. The one-time performance...

For Our Children
1993
Writer
Benefit concert with an incredible group of stars and musicians.

Love Can Be Murder
1992
as Bernie
Elizabeth Bentley is a successful lawyer who suddenly has some "punkish" daydreams of being "Rambo" right around the time her clueless boyfriend Brad ...

Fourth Story
1991
as Flower Salesman
Valerie's husband Darryl leaves for work as usual, but never returns. She hires private eye Shepard to find him. Soon he discovers that David had a se...

The Ice Capades with Jason Bateman and Alyssa Milano
1989
Writer
A special featuring celebrity guest stars and championship ice skaters from the United States and the Soviet Union. Notable for the Mario Ice Capades ...

It Nearly Wasn't Christmas
1989
as Philpot
Feeling unneeded, a disillusioned Santa Claus (Charles Durning) quits Christmas. Through the selflessness of a little girl looking to reunite her pare...

The Drifter
1988
as Cook
A suspensefilled thriller about a successful single woman who, on a deserted road, picks up a mysterious hitchhiker. Once back in the city, "The Drift...

Walt Disney World Celebrity Circus
1987
Writer
The Walt Disney World Celebrity Circus originally aired November 27, 1987. Join Mickey Mouse, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Lisa Bonet, Tony Randall, Kim Fie...

Funny, You Don't Look 200: A Constitutional Vaudeville
1987
as Writer
An all-star cast lead by Richard Dreyfus perform sketches celebrating the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, including new animation done by Disne...

Funny, You Don't Look 200: A Constitutional Vaudeville
1987
Writer
An all-star cast lead by Richard Dreyfus perform sketches celebrating the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, including new animation done by Disne...

The Morning After
1986
as Bartender
Failed actress Alex Sternbergen wakes up hungover one morning in an apartment she does not recognize, unable to remember the previous evening -- and w...

Bette Midler: Art or Bust
1984
Writer
The Divine Miss M is featured in a concert filmed at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, at the culmination of her most recent cross-country tou...

The Ice Pirates
1984
as Wendon
In the not too distant future, where by far the most precious commodity in the galaxy is water. The last surviving water planet was somehow removed to...

Breathless
1983
as Man with Purse
Jesse, a small-time criminal, high-tails it to Los Angeles to rendezvous with a French exchange student. Stealing a car and accidentally killing a hig...

Divine Madness
1980
Writer
Divine Madness is a 1980 concert film directed by Michael Ritchie, and featuring Bette Midler during her 1979 concert at Pasadena's Civic Auditorium. ...

John Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body
1980
Writer
John Ritter shows off his comedic talent with a collection of comedy sketches.

The Star Wars Holiday Special
1978
Writer
Luke Skywalker and Han Solo battle evil Imperial forces to help Chewbacca reach his imperiled family on the Wookiee planet - in time for Life Day, the...

Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back
1977
Writer
In 1977, Bette Midler's first television special premiered, featuring guest stars Dustin Hoffman and Emmett Kelly. It went on to win Bette her first ...

The Barry Manilow Special
1977
Writer
Join Barry "live" on-stage at Ravinia Music Festival in Chicago...and "live" on the streets of New York City with special guest star Penny Marshall. T...

The Paul Lynde Halloween Special
1976
Writer
A Halloween-themed television special starring Paul Lynde which aired only once on October 29, 1976 on ABC. It features guest stars including Margaret...

The Bette Midler Show
1976
Writer
The Bette Midler Show is a HBO Video special of one of Bette Midler's tours entitled 'The Depression Tour', The video is of her show at the Cleveland ...

Charo
1976
Writer
A variety show headlined by Spanish "Cuchi Cuchi Girl" Charo, who tells jokes, acts, sings, dances, and performs on a guitar.

Mahogany
1975
as Dress Manufacturer
An aspiring designer from the slums of Chicago puts herself through fashion school in the hopes of becoming one of the world's top designers. Her ambi...
Amsel: Illustrator of the Lost Art
N/A
as Himself - Interviewee
The first in-depth profile of legendary illustrator Richard Amsel (1947-1985), detailing the artist's remarkable body of work, while chronicling an en...