Rita Rudner

Rita Rudner is an American comedian, actress and writer. She began her career as a dancer, appearing in several Broadway musicals, but switched to stand up comedy at the age of 25 when she saw a gap in the market for female comedians in New York City. She became one of the premier American female comedians to come to success in the 1980s and '90s and at one point Rudner was working successfully both in her native America (with HBO specials and acclaimed appearances on The Tonight Show) and in the UK (with her own six part TV series for BBC2). In 1989 Rudner married her long term partner, the English producer Martin Bergman and together they have collaborated on numerous films, writing and producing Peter's Friends in 1992 which starred Kenneth Branagh, Fry and Laurie, Emma Thompson, Imelda Staunton and Rudner herself, and in Bergman's 1995 directorial debut A Month In The Country which she starred in alongside Jack Lemmon, Dudley Moore and Richard Lewis. Presently she has the longest running solo comedy show in Las Vegas history a twelve year run with over 2,000 shows and one and a half million tickets sold to date.

Works

Magnum P.I.

Thomas Magnum, a decorated former Navy SEAL, returns home from Afghanistan and applies his military skills to become a private investigator in Hawaii taking jobs no one else will—with the help of fellow vets T.C. Calvin and Rick Wright, and former MI:6 agent, Juliet Higgins.

Release Date: 2018-09-24

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 302

Rita Rudner: A Tale of Two Dresses

In her tenth comedy special, Rita Rudner discusses life, parenting and her contentious relationship with Siri. Rita’s teenage daughter, singer/songwriter, Molly Bergman, also appears on the special, singing one of her songs.The special was taped at the Palace Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.

Release Date: 2018-09-07

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Character: Herself

Vote Count: 1

Why We Laugh: Funny Women

An uncensored look into the lives of the female stand-up comedian. Featuring interviews and live performance footage from some of today's most prominent female voices in stand-up comedy and entertainment, this revealing documentary sheds light on the legacy of the female comedian and the dedication, courage and passion that is required to be successful in the male dominated stand-up comedy business.

Release Date: 2013-03-21

Character: Self

Vote Count: 3

Rita Rudner and 3 Potential Ex-Husbands

Comedienne, television and movie star Rita Rudner hosts this showcase of three of the best standup comics on the club scene today, any one of whom would be a perfectly acceptable "Mr. Rudner!"

Release Date: 2012-03-21

Character: Herself

Vote Count: 1

Thanks

Three family Thanksgiving gatherings at a California beach house are fraught with tension due to the father's recent remarriage to a younger woman and a national financial crisis.

Release Date: 2011-01-07

Character: Bunny

Vote Count: 2

Celebrity Ghost Stories

Compelling, surprising and downright spooky — celebrities share their real-life personal encounters with the paranormal in each one-hour special. From encounters with ghosts and angry spirits to haunted homes, unexplainable spells and magic, these descriptive, first person narratives from our favorite stars delivers a brand new way of experiencing the thrills and chills of the addictive world of the paranormal.

Release Date: 2009-10-03

Character: Self

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 18

Love Hurts

After his wife leaves him, middle-aged Ben Bingham slips into a funk and refuses to change out of his pajamas. Justin, Ben's 17-year-old son, has the cure for what ails his depressed dad: he gives Ben a makeover and pushes him out into the singles scene. Soon Ben is the most popular guy in town, but when Justin falls in love for the first time, Ben must refocus his priorities and set about trying to win back his wife.

Release Date: 2009-09-09

Character: Dr. Lisa Levanthorp

Vote Count: 30

RuPaul's Drag Race

Join RuPaul, the world's most famous drag queen, as the host, mentor and judge for the ultimate in drag queen competitions. The top drag queens in the U.S. will vie for drag stardom as RuPaul, in full glamazon drag, will reign supreme in all judging and eliminations while helping guide the contestants as they prepare for each challenge.

Release Date: 2009-02-02

Character: Self - Guest Judge

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 248

Rita Rudner: Live from Las Vegas

Renowned for her sweet-as-pie delivery of shrewdly hilarious observations about life and relationships, award-winning comedian Rita Rudner performs this 2,000th show from her record-breaking Las Vegas run. Recorded live at Harrah's Casino.

Release Date: 2008-05-30

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Character: Herself

Comics Unleashed

Comics Unleashed is a half-hour comedic talk show produced by the Entertainment Studios production company and hosted by Byron Allen, with John Cramer as announcer and DJ Cobra providing music support. The show features a panel of four guest comedians performing their standup bits thinly disguised as a sit-down chat show, sometimes preceded by a brief monologue or joke from Allen. Certain episodes were branded as Comics Unleashed: Hot Chocolate, as the featured comedians on those episodes were all of African descent.

Release Date: 2006-09-25

Character: Self

Episode Count: 2

The Aristocrats

One hundred superstar comedians tell the same very, VERY dirty, filthy joke--one shared privately by comics since Vaudeville.

Release Date: 2005-07-29

Character: Self

Vote Count: 166

Hell's Kitchen

Aspiring restaurateurs brave Ramsay and his fiery command of the kitchen as he puts the competitors through an intense culinary academy to prove they possess the right combination of ingredients to win a life-changing grand prize.

Release Date: 2005-05-30

Character: Self - Restaurant Patron

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 286

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy

You never know what the Fab Five will do - or say - next as they travel across the US and deconstruct a straight guy's life, giving him a fabulous new wardrobe, personal grooming tips, a signature recipe or two, some good-looking furniture, personal relating skills and a brand-new attitude.

Release Date: 2003-07-15

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 17

Ask Rita

Release Date: 2003-01-27

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Character:

Episode Count: 1

As Told by Ginger

As Told by Ginger focuses on middle schooler Ginger Foutley who, with her friends, tries to become more than a social geek.

Release Date: 2000-10-25

Character: Mrs. Fleming (voice)

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 84

V.I.P.

While attending a Hollywood premiere with a famous action star, a crazed fan pulls a gun—but her movie hunk turns into a coward, and it's Vallery who becomes the hero. Suddenly, she's thrown into a world of action and danger as owner of a Hollywood protection agency, Vallery Irons Protection (V.I.P.), taking risks to protect others at a price few are willing to pay.

Release Date: 1998-09-26

Character: Bidder at Art Auction

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 64

Hollywood Squares

On September 14, 1998, a Hollywood Squares revival debuted with Tom Bergeron as its host. In addition to her production duties, Whoopi Goldberg served as the permanent center square, with series head writer Bruce Vilanch, Gilbert Gottfried, Martin Mull, and Caroline Rhea as regular panelists and Brad Garrett, Bobcat Goldthwait, Jeffrey Tambor, George Wallace, Kathy Griffin and various others as semi-regular panelists. Shadoe Stevens returned to announce, although he was not given a square on the panel as he had been when John Davidson was host.

Release Date: 1998-09-14

Character: Self - Panelist

Episode Count: 18

Vote Count: 4

A Weekend in the Country

Six people. One weekend. The possibilities are endless when city meets country in this roundelay of old flames, new flings, and last chances.

Release Date: 1996-06-12

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Character: Sally Shelton

Vote Count: 2

Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist

From living with his deadbeat son, Ben, to his day-to-day dealings with his stunningly sarcastic secretary, Laura, join therapist Jonathan Katz as he picks the brains of your favorite stand-up comedians.

Release Date: 1995-05-28

Department: Crew

Job: Additional Writing

Character: Rita (voice)

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 53

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Orphaned after her parents are killed in an accident, Goldilocks is sent to live with her Uncle Hal in the country. Meanwhile, Uncle Hal, an eco-friendly engineer, discovers that greedy developers plan to destroy the wilderness around his home by building a ski resort.

Release Date: 1995-01-01

Character: Ursula

Vote Count: 2

The Nanny

Fran, fresh out of her job as a bridal consultant in her boyfriend’s shop, first appears on the doorstep of Broadway producer Maxwell Sheffield peddling cosmetics, and quickly stumbled upon the opportunity to become The Nanny for his three children. But soon Fran, with her offbeat nurturing and no-nonsense honesty, touches Maxwell as well as the kids.

Release Date: 1993-11-03

Character: Margot

Episode Count: 2

Vote Count: 1192

Peter's Friends

After inheriting a large country estate from his late father, Peter invites his friends from college: married couple Roger and Mary, the lonely Maggie, fashionable Sarah, and writer Andrew, who brings his American TV star wife, Carol. Sarah's new boyfriend, Brian, also attends. It has been 10 years since college, and they find their lives are very different.

Release Date: 1992-09-18

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Character: Carol Benson

Vote Count: 188

Rita Rudner: Born to be Mild

Rita Rudner brings her standup to the Ohio Theatre in this special.

Release Date: 1990-12-01

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Character: Herself

Rita Rudner

Singer, actress, dancer, comedienne: these are just some of the words the popular American comic can spell. Rita Rudner's first British series features stand-up comedy, sketches and songs.

Release Date: 1990-09-18

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Character: Herself - Hostess

Episode Count: 6

Tales from the Crypt

Cadaverous scream legend the Crypt Keeper is your macabre host for these forays of fright and fun based on the classic E.C. Comics tales from back in the day. So shamble up to the bar and pick your poison. Will it be an insane Santa on a personal slay ride? Honeymooners out to fulfill the "til death do we part" vow ASAP?

Release Date: 1989-06-10

Character: Rolanda (segment "Whirlpool")

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 910

One Night Stand

A series of stand-up comedy specials.

Release Date: 1989-02-15

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 9

That's Adequate

This mockumentary about fictional movie studio Adequate Pictures boasts an interesting cast. Tony Randall hosts, and James CoCo (practically on his deathbed) stars as head of the studio. Includes parodies of everything from silent comedies to porn, including an ultra violent "three stooges" style comedy team who put a new spin on the eye poking gag.

Release Date: 1989-01-20

Character: Frieda Philby

Vote Count: 5

Gleaming the Cube

An Orange County teenager's carefree life of ditching class and skateboarding abandoned pools comes to a screeching halt when someone close to him dies. The cops rule the death a suicide, but the bereaved skater believes he was murdered. It's up to him to solve the case, with a skateboard.

Release Date: 1989-01-13

Character: Mrs. Yabbo

Vote Count: 137

The Wrong Guys

Five former cub scouts have a reunion and go camping on the mountain they never conquered. High jinks ensue due to their childhood enemies and a group of escaped convicts who mistake them for an FBI unit.

Release Date: 1988-05-13

Character: Pam

Vote Count: 11

On Location: Women of the Night

HBO stand-up comedy special starring Ellen DeGeneres, Paula Poundstone, Rita Rudner, Judy Tenuta and Lizz Winstead.

Release Date: 1987-07-11

Character: Self

Rodney Dangerfield Hosts the 9th Annual Young Comedians Special

Some of the best new talent is showcased in these annual comedy specials each year. Every show is hosted by a different accomplished comedian. In 1984, the 9th year, the host was the magnificent Rodney Dangerfield.

Release Date: 1985-08-03

Character: herself

Vote Count: 1

Great Performances

The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.

Release Date: 1971-01-28

Character: Self

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 18