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IMDbPro

Bruce Vilanch

  • Writer
  • Actor
  • Producer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Bruce Vilanch at an event for The Pianist (2002)
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Bruce Vilanch was born on 23 November 1948 in New York City, New York, USA. He is a writer and actor, known for You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008), The Ice Pirates (1984) and The 64th Annual Academy Awards (1992).
BornNovember 23, 1948
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornNovember 23, 1948
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 8 wins & 9 nominations total

    Photos38

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    Known for

    Adam Sandler in You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008)
    You Don't Mess with the Zohan
    5.6
    • Bruce Vilanch
    • 2008
    Robert Urich, Mary Crosby, Michael D. Roberts, and Bruce Vilanch in The Ice Pirates (1984)
    The Ice Pirates
    5.6
    • Wendon
    • 1984
    The 64th Annual Academy Awards (1992)
    The 64th Annual Academy Awards
    6.6
    TV Special
    • Writer
    • 1992
    Comic Relief V (1992)
    Comic Relief V
    7.0
    TV Special
    • Writer
    • 1992

    Credits

    Edit
    IMDbPro

    Writer



    • The Kashyyyk Life Day Carol: A Live Staged Reading of the Star Wars Holiday Special (2025)
      The Kashyyyk Life Day Carol: A Live Staged Reading of the Star Wars Holiday Special
      8.1
      TV Movie
      • Writer
      • 2025
    • Michael Airington in Making the Yuletide Gay: A Very Special Paul Lynde Christmas (2022)
      Making the Yuletide Gay: A Very Special Paul Lynde Christmas
      5.5
      TV Special
      • written by
      • 2022
    • Flimflam and Gorky in The Flimflam and Gorky Show (2020)
      The Flimflam and Gorky Show
      TV Series
      • Writer
      • 2021
    • 17th Annual the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor: Celebrating Jay Leno
      6.1
      TV Special
      • Writer
      • 2014
    • The 83rd Annual Academy Awards (2011)
      The 83rd Annual Academy Awards
      6.3
      TV Special
      • written by
      • 2011
    • Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On (2010)
      Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On
      7.1
      TV Special
      • additional written material
      • 2010
    • The 82nd Annual Academy Awards (2010)
      The 82nd Annual Academy Awards
      6.7
      TV Special
      • Writer
      • 2010
    • The 81st Annual Academy Awards (2009)
      The 81st Annual Academy Awards
      7.8
      TV Special
      • written by
      • 2009
    • The 80th Annual Academy Awards (2008)
      The 80th Annual Academy Awards
      6.8
      TV Special
      • written by
      • 2008
    • Kevin Alexander Stea, Salvatore Vassallo, Vincent Zamora, Joe Souza, Joseph Keane, Ethan Le Phong, Jason Currie, Andrew Blake Ames, Anthony Manough, and Jaymes Hodges in Naked Boys Singing! (2007)
      Naked Boys Singing!
      5.9
      • written by
      • 2007
    • The 5th Annual TV Land Awards (2007)
      The 5th Annual TV Land Awards
      7.2
      TV Special
      • Writer
      • 2007
    • The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007)
      The 79th Annual Academy Awards
      7.1
      TV Special
      • written by
      • 2007
    • David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel in Comic Relief 2006 (2006)
      Comic Relief 2006
      5.4
      TV Special
      • head writer
      • 2006
    • The 58th Annual Tony Awards (2004)
      The 58th Annual Tony Awards
      6.7
      TV Special
      • Writer
      • 2004
    • The 75th Annual Academy Awards (2003)
      The 75th Annual Academy Awards
      6.5
      TV Special
      • special material written by
      • 2003

    Actor



    • Sam Pancake and Bruce Vilanch in House Husbands (2024)
      House Husbands
      TV Series
      • Franklin Count
      • 2024
    • I Brake for Caterpillars (2024)
      I Brake for Caterpillars
      3.5
      • Walter Precup
      • 2024
    • Surge of Power: Where There's Smoke (2024)
      Surge of Power: Where There's Smoke
      6.5
      • Janus
      • Sirius
      • 2024
    • Candis Cayne in Candis Cayne's Secret Garden (2023)
      Candis Cayne's Secret Garden
      5.2
      TV Series
      • Sad Celebrity
      • 2023
    • Around the Sun (2021)
      Around the Sun
      7.6
      Podcast Series
      • Skip
      • The Officer
      • 2022–2023
    • Susan Olsen and Bruce Vilanch in Child of the '70s (2012)
      Child of the '70s
      7.4
      TV Series
      • Larry Lawrence
      • 2013–2019
    • Still Waiting in the Wings (2018)
      Still Waiting in the Wings
      5.7
      • Chef
      • 2018
    • The MeshugaNutcracker! (2017)
      The MeshugaNutcracker!
      6.8
      • Yonkel Schlumperdink
      • 2017
    • Paul Vandervort in Limelight (2017)
      Limelight
      5.6
      • Garrett Raynes
      • 2017
    • Spellcheck (2016)
      Spellcheck
      Short
      • Spellcheck Victim
      • 2016
    • Surge of Power: Revenge of the Sequel (2016)
      Surge of Power: Revenge of the Sequel
      4.5
      • S.I.R.I.U.S.
      • Janus
      • 2016
    • Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero (2014)
      Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero
      6.9
      TV Series
      • Additional Voices (voice)
      • 2015
    • On the Cover
      Short
      • Bernie Feldman
      • 2014
    • Scrooge & Marley (2012)
      Scrooge & Marley
      5.6
      • Fezziwig
      • 2012
    • Martin Kove, David Proval, Bruce Vilanch, and John Tartaglia in Silent But Deadly (2012)
      Silent But Deadly
      4.7
      • Uncle Bruce
      • 2012

    Producer



    • Michael Airington in Making the Yuletide Gay: A Very Special Paul Lynde Christmas (2022)
      Making the Yuletide Gay: A Very Special Paul Lynde Christmas
      5.5
      TV Special
      • producer
      • 2022
    • Pride: The Gay & Lesbian Comedy Slam (2010)
      Pride: The Gay & Lesbian Comedy Slam
      5.1
      TV Special
      • executive producer
      • 2010
    • The Paula Poundstone Show (1992)
      The Paula Poundstone Show
      3.9
      TV Series
      • producer
      • 1992–1993

    • In-development projects at IMDbPro

    Videos10

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:01
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:36
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:36
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:31
    Official Trailer
    A Disturbance in the Force
    Trailer 1:39
    A Disturbance in the Force
    Wrangler: Anatomy of An Icon
    Trailer 2:36
    Wrangler: Anatomy of An Icon
    Limelight - Official Trailer 2017 (HD)
    Trailer 1:38
    Limelight - Official Trailer 2017 (HD)

    Personal details

    Edit
    • Height
      • 5′ 7″ (1.70 m)
    • Born
      • November 23, 1948
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Other works
      Writer for The Advocate, a gay and lesbian magazine
    • Publicity listings
      • 2 Articles
      • 2 Magazine Cover Photos

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Known to be an able provider of topical joke material for Academy Award hosts (notably Billy Crystal). Also for comedy personalities on the road such as Bette Midler.
    • Quotes
      "Musicals have clearly gotten more physical. You never saw Ethel Merman doing step aerobics. The real culprit in all this is not even the costume designer but the choreographer, that malicious spawn of Gwen Verdon and Satan." -- commenting on his strenuous undertaking in the tour of "Hairspray".
    • Trademark
        Wild, blonde-gray locks, thick red glasses and gay-suggestive tee-shirts

    FAQ7

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