The Chicago Tribune was Bruce's first source to write in the entertainment industry. As a fun writer, he began spending time with many celebrities, he also met nightclub singer Bette Midler, Vilanch acted befriended with her, later with her help he wrote comedy materials by dedicating to Midler, which is famous as Midler's 1974 Broadway show Clams on the Half Shell and Divine Madness in 1980.
Vilanch was a co-writer for The Donny and Marie Show after transferring to Los Angeles; he also wrote Star Wars Holiday Special in 1978, and also the short-lived Brandy Bunch Variety Hour, however, it was canceled later for airing. Moreover, he started writing jokes for Lily Tomlin, Billy Crystal, Roseanna Barr and much more.
later Bruce shifted to a different profession started to work as a reporter and columnist for The Advocate, where he enjoyed writing serious scripts. In 1975, he made his feature film debut, "playing a dress", which was produced by Mahogany and starring Diana Ross.
