Bruce Vilanch
Bruce Vilanch: A Life of Wit and Wisdom
Full Name and Common Aliases
Bruce William Vilanch is a renowned American comedy writer, actor, and television personality.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on May 23, 1948, in New York City, New York. Still active in the entertainment industry.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American, Comedy Writer, Actor, Television Personality
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family of actors and writers, Bruce Vilanch was surrounded by the world of entertainment from an early age. His mother, Muriel (née Paltz), was a former actress and his father, William Vilanch, was a writer for various television shows. This environment instilled in him a passion for storytelling and the arts.
Vilanch attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where he earned a degree in drama. During his time at NYU, he began writing comedy sketches and performing stand-up comedy. After college, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in television writing.
Major Accomplishments
Vilanch's writing credits span over four decades and include some of the most iconic television shows of all time. He is perhaps best known for his work on the Emmy Award-winning show "Hollywood Squares," where he served as head writer from 1998 to 2004. His witty one-liners and clever comedy sketches made the show a staple in American entertainment.
In addition to "Hollywood Squares," Vilanch has written for numerous other TV shows, including "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," "The Late Show with David Letterman," and "Entertainment Tonight." He has also worked as a writer and consultant on various films and stage productions.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Vilanch's most notable works include:
Writing for the 1994 Academy Awards ceremony, where he was part of the team that created some of the event's most memorable moments.
Creating comedy sketches for "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," including a famous sketch with Don Rickles and Phyllis Diller.
* Serving as an assistant to the legendary comedian and actor, Bette Midler.
Impact and Legacy
Bruce Vilanch has had a profound impact on the world of entertainment. His quick wit and clever writing have made him a sought-after talent in the industry. As a writer, he has been instrumental in creating some of the most iconic moments in television history.
Vilanch's legacy extends beyond his work as a writer. He has also become a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, known for his kind heart and generosity. His commitment to supporting emerging writers and comedians is just one example of his dedication to nurturing new talent.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Bruce Vilanch's quotes are widely remembered and quoted due to their cleverness, wit, and often irreverent humor. His ability to craft comedy sketches that are both hilarious and insightful has made him a master of the art form.
As a writer, he has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. His contributions to television history are immeasurable, and his impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Quotes by Bruce Vilanch
Generally with the Oscars or the Emmys there isn’t much you can do until the nominations are announced. Then you know what kind of year you’re dealing with – what’s been overlooked, what the issues are.
I’ve written about 15 screenplays and they all sold – they were all sold on pitches.
It’s the biggest party in the world, and you have to keep the whole thing percolating, which is difficult because a lot of awards most people don’t care about.
I write screenplays that don’t get made and pilots that don’t get picked up, and I re-write other people’s movies, and those are all different kinds of fees.
I mean, when I started out I was billing per hour, like a shrink because you would sit with somebody and work. But most of it, if it’s for a live show it’s usually a buy-out. A flat fee.
I like that we don’t have to come out the first 10 minutes and score, you know, with joke, joke, joke. We can open it in a more novel way and keep playing different pranks as we go through the thing.
I mean, I’ve sold all these scripts and nothing’s been made. Studios have closed, stars have died. I had a director find Jesus. And the pictures just don’t get made.
I have one rave New York Times review framed next to a flop Los Angeles Times review. And it’s for the same show. These people watched the same show. That’s what happens. They love it, they hate it.
They make a humongous profit, but the people that work on the shows don’t get paid a lot because they’re working on the Oscars show. It’s the biggest show in the world.
They want to have a big movie star in that role. I'm sure a lot of other people were considered. He wouldn't be anybody's first thought. People forget that he has musical-comedy chops. He comes from musical theater, from Broadway. That's where he began, and so he has a sense of that style. It certainly is a great big acting leap for him. It's going to be interesting to see how he does it.