Bruce Vilanch

Bruce Vilanch

1948-11-23 New York, New York 71 Credits

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

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Complete Filmography

The Kashyyyk Life Day Carol

The Kashyyyk Life Day Carol

2025

Original Film Writer

10.0
Writing

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

The World According to Allee Willis

2024

as Self

Acting

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

I Brake for Caterpillars

2024

as Walter Precup

3.0
Acting

Misdiagnosed with a terminal illness, a computer nerd dates his hospice worker, while suspecting someone is out to get him.

Studio One Forever

Studio One Forever

2024

as Self

7.8
Acting

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

Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution

2024

as Self

6.2
Acting

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

Body Electric

2023

as Self

Acting

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

A Disturbance in the Force: How the Star Wars Holiday Special Happened

2023

as Self

6.0
Acting

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

Making the Yuletide Gay: A Very Special Paul Lynde Christmas

2022

Writer

Writing

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

TMZ Investigates | What Really Happened to Richard Simmons

2022

as Self

4.0
Acting

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

Live at Mister Kelly's

2021

as Self

Acting

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

Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp

2020

as Self

6.8
Acting

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

Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness

2020

as Self

6.8
Acting

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

Waiting in the Wings: Still Waiting

2018

as Chef

1.0
Acting

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

The Advocate Celebrates 50 Years: A Long Road to Freedom

2018

as Self

7.7
Acting

Documentary exploring The Advocate's role at the forefront of the LGBT movement in the U.S.

Limelight

Limelight

2017

as Garrett Raynes

Acting

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

The Fabulous Allan Carr

2017

as Self

5.2
Acting

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

I Am Divine

2014

as Self

7.4
Acting

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...

And the Oscar Goes To...

2014

as Self - Interviewee

7.0
Acting

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

Scrooge & Marley

2012

as Fezziwig

4.4
Acting

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

Silent but Deadly

2012

as Uncle Bruce

4.0
Acting

Senior citizens are being offed by a masked killer in their small retirement community.

Vito

Vito

2011

as Himself

7.4
Acting

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

Sister Mary

2011

as Farmer Jake

5.0
Acting

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

Going Down in La-La Land

2011

as Missy

5.8
Acting

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

Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On

2010

Writer

8.0
Writing

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

The Adonis Factor

2010

as Himself - Writer / Actor

4.6
Acting

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!

Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!

2010

as Uncle Max

5.0
Acting

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

Pride: The Gay & Lesbian Comedy Slam

2010

as Himself - Host

4.3
Acting

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

Spring Breakdown

2009

as Celebrity Judge

5.4
Acting

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

Annul Victory

Annul Victory

2009

as Self

Acting

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

Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon

2008

as Self

5.6
Acting

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

You Don't Mess with the Zohan

2008

as Bruce Vilanch

5.7
Acting

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

Tru Loved

2008

as Uncle Daniel

4.9
Acting

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!

Naked Boys Singing!

2007

Writer

5.0
Writing

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

Fucking with the Stars

2006

as Judge

Acting

"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'

Gotta Get Off This Merry-Go-Round: 'Valley of the Dolls'

2006

as Self

Acting

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

Queer Duck: The Movie

2006

as Bruce Vilanch (voice)

4.2
Acting

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

The Aristocrats

2005

as Self

5.9
Acting

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

Michael Lucas' Dangerous Liaisons

Michael Lucas' Dangerous Liaisons

2005

as Self - Non-sexual Role (uncredited)

10.0
Acting

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

The Divine Bette Midler

2005

as Self

Acting

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

Call Me Claus

2001

as Himself

5.7
Acting

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

Circuit

2001

as Theater Stage Manager

5.7
Acting

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

10 Attitudes

2001

as Self

4.5
Acting

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

Acting
Jackie's Back!

Jackie's Back!

1999

as Bruce Vilanch

6.5
Acting

A British documentarian profiles washed-up diva Jackie Washington as she prepares for her comeback concert.

Get Bruce!

Get Bruce!

1999

as Self

6.2
Acting

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

Inside the Golden Statue

1998

as Self

6.3
Acting

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

7.3
Writing

A special celebrating Elizabeth Taylor's 65th birthday featuring never-before-seen footage of her life and career.

Bette Midler: Diva Las Vegas

Bette Midler: Diva Las Vegas

1997

Writer

7.3
Writing

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

For Our Children

1993

Writer

7.0
Writing

Benefit concert with an incredible group of stars and musicians.

Love Can Be Murder

Love Can Be Murder

1992

as Bernie

6.0
Acting

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

Fourth Story

1991

as Flower Salesman

5.6
Acting

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

The Ice Capades with Jason Bateman and Alyssa Milano

1989

Writer

Writing

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

It Nearly Wasn't Christmas

1989

as Philpot

2.5
Acting

Feeling unneeded, a disillusioned Santa Claus (Charles Durning) quits Christmas. Through the selflessness of a little girl looking to reunite her pare...

The Drifter

The Drifter

1988

as Cook

4.3
Acting

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

Walt Disney World Celebrity Circus

1987

Writer

6.5
Writing

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

Funny, You Don't Look 200: A Constitutional Vaudeville

1987

as Writer

Acting

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

Funny, You Don't Look 200: A Constitutional Vaudeville

1987

Writer

Writing

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

The Morning After

1986

as Bartender

5.9
Acting

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

Bette Midler: Art or Bust

1984

Writer

6.0
Writing

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

The Ice Pirates

1984

as Wendon

5.6
Acting

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

Breathless

1983

as Man with Purse

5.9
Acting

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

Divine Madness

1980

Writer

6.2
Writing

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

John Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body

1980

Writer

7.0
Writing

John Ritter shows off his comedic talent with a collection of comedy sketches.

The Star Wars Holiday Special

The Star Wars Holiday Special

1978

Writer

3.4
Writing

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

Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back

1977

Writer

8.7
Writing

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

The Barry Manilow Special

1977

Writer

8.0
Writing

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

The Paul Lynde Halloween Special

1976

Writer

5.8
Writing

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

The Bette Midler Show

1976

Writer

10.0
Writing

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

Charo

1976

Writer

Writing

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

Mahogany

Mahogany

1975

as Dress Manufacturer

5.8
Acting

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

Acting

The first in-depth profile of legendary illustrator Richard Amsel (1947-1985), detailing the artist's remarkable body of work, while chronicling an en...