Ottawa-born, L.A.-based comedian Jeremy Hotz has just finished filming a recurring role in HBO Canada series Call Me Fitz. (Craig Robertson/QMI Agency files)

Comedian Jeremy Hotz has made a good living getting laughs out of misery — from the day in the '90s at Montreal's Just For Laughs, when he first lamented the smell of thawed dog poo that heralds spring in Canada.

Of late, one subject has come to dominate his onstage whinging — age.

The Ottawa-born, L.A.-based Hotz, who's begun a nationwide Canadian tour, has just finished filming a recurring role in the wicked Jason Priestley HBO Canada series Call Me Fitz (the series returns in September). The bad news, they cast him as 50.

Hotz will allow that he's "fortysomething," but still.

"I looked at the script and had to say the line, 'I'm a 50-year-old new father.' I actually play older now!" Hotz says. "They didn't use make-up or anything. I think I just look ugly on TV!"

There's a spark in his eye, and a half-smirk onstage when he bemoans his life, leading you to believe he's actually having a great time despite himself.

Certainly, he's had some pretty big name validation lately — even if he's not quite sure who they were.