Kenny Hotz
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kenneth Joel "Kenny" Hotz (born May 1, 1973, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian film maker, actor, producer, director, journalist, photographer and writer. He is most famous for co-starring with Spencer "Spenny" Rice on the Canadian television show Kenny vs. Spenny.
Hotz made his first film at the age of seven while attending film camp. He has been a photographer since 1986 -- photographing numerous countries and historic world events. His photo essays include Auschwitz, Dachau, Needle Park (Zurich, Switzerland), David Ko resh, Mount Carmel, Waco, Texas aftermath, and New Years' in Times Square 2000.
In 1989, Hotz began making documentaries. He also came up with the idea of developing a television show in which he and a friend would compete in a series of challenges to prove who was the best. This idea later evolved into Kenny vs. Spenny.
In 1991, he travelled to the Middle East to cover the Gulf War -- the only registered Canadian artist to do so. His work has been collected by numerous Canadian institutions including the national and provincial archive. He won the best student photo award for his photograph "Life Behind the Mask" in 1992.
Hotz graduated from the Media Arts program at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Ryerson University) in 1992. He then began work on a comedic short film about the life and death of a homeless dwarf in Toronto named Shorty Gordy. Winner of Hot Docs film festival.
In 1997, Hotz spent time working as a writer on the American cartoon series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He also starred with Spencer Rice in the documentary Pitch.
In 1999, he moved on to Los Angeles to develop television programming. While there, he began development on Kenny vs. Spenny (which was nominated for a Gemini award in 2004 and again in 2006).
In 2004, Hotz and Rice appeared together on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Hotz also finished work on The Papal Chase, a documentary film chronicling attempts by Hotz (who is Jewish)[1] to meet Pope John Paul II. The film, which features cameos by The Rolling Stones and The Pope, won the acclaimed Phillip Borsos Award for Best Canadian Feature Film and an unprecedented $10,000 cash prize at the 2004 Whistler Film Festival. In 2005, the film also won the People’s Choice Award for Best Canadian Feature at the Canadian Filmmakers Festival and the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Brooklyn International Film Festival.
Hotz created the concept for "Versusville" -- a 3D video game which is meant to accompany the Kenny vs. Spenny series. The game was nominated for a Canadian New Media Award for "Excellence in Gaming." He also recently wrote/consulted on the animated Emmy Award winning series South Park.
As of August 2006, Hotz is in Toronto working on the third season of Kenny vs. Spenny for Showcase Television. He is currently a contributing columnist for Vice Magazine and in 2006 he won the WTF best story award for an article he wrote in the FICTION issue. He is also getting ready to produce, direct, and star in his third feature film. He is currently one of the few on air talents to run and maintain a personal on-line web presence with his fans.
[edit] Filmography
- It Don't Cost Nothin' to Say Good Morning (1994)
- Pitch (1997)
- Kenny vs. Spenny - Pilot Episode (2002)
- Kenny vs. Spenny - Season 1 (26 Episodes)(2003)
- The Papal Chase (2004)
- Kenny vs. Spenny - Season 2 (13 Episodes)(2005)
- South Park - staff writer (2005)
- Kenny vs. Spenny - Season 3 (13 Episodes)(2006)
- Kenny vs. Spenny - Season 4 (pre-production-10 Episodes)(2007)
[edit] External links
- Kenny vs. Spenny related super store. Kenny Merchandise shopping.
- Kenny Hotz Official Website Kenny Hotz Official Website.
- Kenny's My Space Home Kenny on My Space.
- Kenny Hotz at the Internet Movie Database
- Kenny´s Blog Kenny Hotz Msn blog.
- Episode Guide Kenny Vs Spenny Ultimate Episode Guide.
