Kenneth Joel "Kenny" Hotz (born May 3, 1973, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian filmmaker, 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 Koresh, Mount Carmel, Waco, Texas aftermath and New Years Eve 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 traveled to the Middle East to cover the Gulf War - the only registered Canadian artist to do so. Numerous Canadian institutions including the national and provincial archives have acquired his work. 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 Polytechnic 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 Gordie, which was a winner at the Hot Docs film festival. In 1997, Hotz spent time working as a writer on theAmerican live action 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 2006). Hotz created the concept for "Versusville" - a 3D video game that accompanies 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 COMEDY CENTRAL series, “South Park.”
