Bruce Vilanch is a comedy writer, songwriter and actor. He is a two-time Emmy Award-winner. Vilanch is known for his acting roles in The Ice Pirates and You Don't Mess with the Zohan. However he is probably best known to the public for his four-year stint on Hollywood Square, as a celebrity participant; behind the scenes he was head writer for the show. In 2000, he performed off-Broadway in his self-penned one-man show, Bruce Vilanch: Almost Famous.
Vilanch was the head writer for the Oscars after being an Oscar program co-writer for the previous ten years. He is also a featured writer for the Tony, Grammys and Emmys.