Actor
Bruce Vilanch
November 23, 1948 · New York, New York
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 2000, Vilanch has been the head writer for the Oscars, after being an Oscar program co-writer for the previous 10 years. He is a featured writer for the Tonys, Grammys and Emmys.
Notable work
Often works with
Kevin Michael Richardson
3 titles together
The Simpsons, The Proud Family, Queer Duck: The Movie
Tress MacNeille
2 titles together
The Simpsons, Queer Duck: The Movie
Maurice LaMarche
2 titles together
The Simpsons, Queer Duck: The Movie
Lainie Kazan
2 titles together
You Don't Mess with the Zohan, Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!
Mark Hamill
2 titles together
The Star Wars Holiday Special, Queer Duck: The Movie
Michael D. Roberts
2 titles together
The Ice Pirates, Bosom Buddies
Full filmography · 55
Whale 52
as Kaufman
2025
I Brake for Caterpillars
as Walter Precup
2024
Making the Yuletide Gay: A Very Special Paul Lynde Christmas
Writer
2022
Waiting in the Wings: Still Waiting
as Chef
2018
Limelight
as Garrett Raynes
2017
Scrooge & Marley
as Fezziwig
2012
Silent but Deadly
as Uncle Bruce
2012
Walk a Mile in My Pradas
as Bruce Vilanch
2011
Sister Mary
as Farmer Jake
2011
Going Down in La-La Land
as Missy
20115.8
Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On
Writer
2010
Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!
as Uncle Max
20105