Bruce Vilanch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bruce Vilanch
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Vilanch in 2012
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Bruce Gerald Vilanch
November 23, 1948 New York City, U.S.
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| Years active | 1974–present |
Bruce Gerald Vilanch, born on November 23, 1948, is an American writer, songwriter, and actor known for his comedy. He has won two Emmy Awards, which are big prizes for TV shows. Many people know him from the TV show Hollywood Squares, where he was a celebrity guest for four years. He was also the main writer for that show. In 2000, he performed his own one-man show called Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous in New York City.
From 2000 to 2014, Vilanch was the head writer for the Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars. Before that, he helped write the Oscar show for ten years. He has also been a writer for other major awards shows like the Tonys (for theater), Grammys (for music), and Emmys (for television).
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Early Life and School
Vilanch was born in New York City and grew up in Paterson, New Jersey. He went to Eastside High School there. When he was just four days old, he was adopted by Jonas and Henne Vilanch. His father was an eye doctor, and his mother was a homemaker who loved theater.
His mother helped him start in show business early. She got him a job as a child model for a clothing company. After high school, Vilanch studied theater and journalism at Ohio State University. He acted in student plays and wrote reviews. He hoped to become a playwright, someone who writes plays. In 1999, he said he wanted to be like the famous playwright Neil Simon.
Writing for Entertainment
Vilanch started his career writing articles for the Chicago Tribune newspaper. As an entertainment writer, he met many famous people. This is how he became friends with singer Bette Midler. He later wrote comedy material for her Broadway show in 1974. He also helped write her movie Divine Madness in 1980.
After moving to Los Angeles, Vilanch helped write for several TV shows. These included The Donny & Marie Show and The Paul Lynde Halloween Special. He also worked on the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special and The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. After these shows, he wrote jokes for many stars. Some of these stars were Lily Tomlin, Billy Crystal, Roseanne Barr, Rosie O'Donnell, and Robin Williams.
The night before Johnny Carson's last The Tonight Show, Bette Midler sang a special farewell song to him. The lyrics for this song, "You Made Me Watch You," were written by Vilanch. This song later won an Emmy Award. For four years, Vilanch was the head writer and a celebrity guest on Hollywood Squares. He sat next to his friend Whoopi Goldberg.
Since 1980, Vilanch has also written for The Advocate magazine. He writes both funny and serious articles. A collection of his writings, Bruce!: My Adventures in the Skin Trade and Other Essays, was nominated for an award in 2000.
Once, Barbra Streisand asked him to write for one of her concert tours. Vilanch felt the pay was too low and said no. She later asked him to write for her shows in Las Vegas.
Vilanch also helped write the story for the musical Platinum, which was on Broadway for a short time in 1978. He has also written for concert shows starring Michael Feinstein, Bette Midler, and Diana Ross.
As a songwriter, Vilanch helped write the song "Where Is My Man". Singer Eartha Kitt made this song popular in 1983. He also helped write "... Over the Phone," which was a small hit for the Village People.
In 2008, Vilanch co-wrote The Showgirl Must Go On with Bette Midler. This show opened in Las Vegas and was very popular. In 2010, Vilanch worked with actress Florence Henderson on a show called An Evening with Friends. Henderson shared songs and stories from her career. Vilanch had been friends with Henderson for a long time and wrote for her one-woman show. He also wrote for some episodes of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour in the early 1980s.
In 2025, Vilanch published a book about his life called It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time. It talks about his experiences in the entertainment world.
Writing for the Academy Awards
Vilanch wrote for the Academy Awards from 1989 to 2014. He created jokes and funny lines for the hosts of the show. In the 1990s, he worked with hosts like Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, and Billy Crystal. He became the main writer for the Oscars in 2000 and continued until 2014.
One of Vilanch's jobs was to come up with new jokes during the show. These jokes were often based on unexpected things that happened live. For example, at the 1992 Oscars, actor Jack Palance, who was 73, did one-armed push-ups during his acceptance speech. Vilanch quickly wrote many funny lines for host Billy Crystal to tell throughout the night.
In a 2010 interview, Vilanch was asked who he wrote jokes for at the Oscars. He said he writes for everyone. He explained that all the writers work together, sharing ideas and rewriting things. He said it's the "greatest show on Earth" and compared it to playing in the Super Bowl for football players.
Acting Roles
In 1975, Vilanch appeared in his first movie, Mahogany, which starred Diana Ross. He continued to work with Ross by writing material for her stage shows.
In the 1980s, Vilanch had a few small acting parts. He was in an episode of Bosom Buddies and a short scene in the movie Breathless with his friend Richard Gere. In 1984, he had a role in the movie The Ice Pirates. In the 1990s, Vilanch appeared on TV again in Law & Order. In 2000, he performed his one-man show Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous in New York City.
In 2005, Vilanch acted on Broadway in the musical Hairspray. He played the role of Edna Turnblad. Before that, he had played the same role for two years in the show's first national tour from 2003 to 2006.
Other TV and Movie Appearances
Bruce Vilanch first appeared on television as himself in 1988. He was interviewed on a show called Hollywood Today.
He played himself in an episode of The Simpsons in 2001 called "Pokey Mom".
Vilanch was on the TV show Celebrity Fit Club in 2006. He lost 21 pounds during the show.
He has appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race several times. In season 3, he was a guest judge dressed as Santa Claus. In season 5, he helped the contestants prepare for a comedy show. In season 6 (2014), he was a guest judge for a stand-up comedy challenge.
In April 2008, Vilanch filmed a funny commercial. It made fun of a famous basketball player's jump over a car. In Vilanch's video, he gets distracted and is run over by a truck instead of jumping.
He played himself in the 2008 movie You Don't Mess with the Zohan. He also appeared in Walk a Mile in My Pradas, a 2011 comedy film. In 2012, he played a funny version of Arnold Schwarzenegger on The Eric Andre Show.
In 2012, he appeared in an episode of Shark Tank.
In 2015, Vilanch voiced a character in the animated TV series Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero. In 2022, he voiced two roles in the audio drama series Around the Sun.
Documentaries
Vilanch was the main topic of a 1999 documentary film called Get Bruce. The film included interviews with Bette Midler, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, and Whoopi Goldberg. Vilanch's mother also appeared in the film. He says she helped him develop his sense of humor.
He was also featured in the documentary Laughing Matters...The Men (2007). He appeared as a commentator in The Adonis Factor, a 2010 documentary about how gay men view their bodies.
Helping Others
Vilanch does a lot of charity work. He performs at events that raise money for good causes. He has served on the board of Aid For AIDS and was often the host for their big yearly fundraiser, "Best In Drag Show."
Vilanch hosted "Dancers Responding to AIDS" in 2009 and 2010. This event is part of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. In October 2010, Vilanch helped write and host a fundraiser for PAWS in Los Angeles.
In May 2017, Vilanch hosted a special event to honor Michael Musto, which raised money for the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. Many famous people attended this event.
Awards and Recognition
Vilanch has won two Emmy Awards for his writing for the Academy Award telecasts. He has also won four other Emmys for Outstanding Variety Show.
He has also received several awards for his work supporting AIDS charities and organizations that help LGBTQ rights:
- Los Angeles Shanti Foundation's Daniel P. Warner Service Award (1990)
- GLAAD Media's Stephen F. Kolzak Award (1997)
- Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center's Rand Schrader Distinguished Achievement Award (1998)
- Outfest Honors Award for helping gay and lesbian people be seen (2002)
- AIDS Project Los Angeles Hero Award (2003)
His Unique Look
Vilanch is known for his special look. He often has long blonde hair, sometimes with a beard. He wears unique glasses, often with bright frames. He also has a collection of T-shirts with funny, clever sayings. He has joked that for years, people compared him to a Wookiee from Star Wars, especially after he helped write the Star Wars Holiday Special.
See also
In Spanish: Bruce Vilanch para niños
