Kenny Hotz
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2007) |
Kenneth Joel "Kenny" Hotz | |
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| Born | Kenneth Joel Hotz |
| Website | [www.kennyhotz.com] |
Kenneth Joel "Kenny" Hotz (born May 3 1973, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian film maker, actor, producer, director, journalist, photographer and writer. He also co-stars with Spencer "Spenny" Rice on the Canadian television show Kenny vs. Spenny.
Biography
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 Koresh, Mount Carmel, Waco, Texas aftermath, and New Years' in Times Square 2000.[1]
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 created Kenny vs. Spenny (which was nominated for the Rose D'or for best international comedy series, and 2 Gemini award nominations for best Canadian comedy series 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, an award winning documentary film chronicling attempts by Hotz (who is Jewish)[2] 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. Kenny vs. Spenny will be airing on comedy central in fall 2007.
As of September 2007, Hotz is in Toronto working on the fourth season of Kenny vs. Spenny for Showcase Television and Comedy Central. The series is executive produced by Matt Stone and Trey Parker. 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[citation needed]
Filmography
- It Don't Cost Nothin' to Say Good Morning (1994)
- Pitch - Feature Film (1997) Awards: Best Feature 'Toronto Indie Film Festival'
- The Papal Chase - Feature film. (2004)
- South Park - staff writer (2005)
- Kenny vs. Spenny - Pilot, Seasons 1 - 4 (2002 - 2007)
References
- ^ "Kenny Hotz's Bio". Retrieved 2007-12-16.
- ^ Pascoe, Bryon (2006-12-07). "Comedians Kenny and Spenny revel in their 'Heb-i-ness'". The Canadian Jewish News. Retrieved 2006-12-06.
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External links
- Kenny Hotz Official Website Kenny Hotz Official Website.
- Kenny's MySpace Home Kenny on MySpace.
- IGN Profile Kenny Hotz IGN.
- Kenny Hotz at IMDb
- Kenny´s Official Blog Kenny Hotz Windows Live Space.