# Max Gilardi

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American internet personality (born 1988)

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Max Gilardi Gilardi in 2014 Born Max John Gilardi[‡ 1] (1988-01-28) January 28, 1988 (age 38)[‡ 2][1] Gloucester, Massachusetts, U.S. Other names Max G. hotdiggedydemon Max Gilardi YouTube information Channel hotdiggedydemon Years active 2003–present Genre Comedy Subscribers 2.16 million Views 478 million Last updated: May 25, 2026 Website hotdiggedydemon.com

**Max John Gilardi** ([/dʒɪˈlɑːrdi/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*jil-AR-dee*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key); born January 28, 1988), also known as **Max G.** or his [pseudonym](/source/Pseudonym) **hotdiggedydemon**, is an American [internet personality](/source/Internet_personality), [YouTuber](/source/YouTuber), cartoonist, animator, and voice actor. He is best known for his *[PONY.MOV](/source/PONY.MOV)* web series, a gorey adult-oriented parody of the popular children's animated [television series](/source/Television_series) *[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic](/source/My_Little_Pony%3A_Friendship_Is_Magic)*, other viral videos, and his media analysis series known as *Brain Dump*.

## Early life and education

Gilardi was born in [Gloucester](/source/Gloucester%2C_Massachusetts), [Massachusetts](/source/Massachusetts) in 1988.[1][‡ 3] He is of [Italian](/source/Italian_diaspora) descent and has an older sister. He attended the [Art Institute of Boston](/source/Art_Institute_of_Boston) briefly before dropping out after one of four years in an animation major.[‡ 4]

## Internet career

### Early career

Gilardi, under the name "hotdiggedydemon", first started creating [Flash animations](/source/Flash_animation) in the mid-2000s on [Newgrounds](/source/Newgrounds) as a teenager. Among shorts, he would experiment in launching his own original cartoon. These early efforts included *Adam Android*, about a superpowered robot boy, and *Spookyville USA*, about a town of monsters.[2] In 2007, he began uploading his work to his [YouTube](/source/YouTube) channel.

That year, he created the *Jerry* series, a collection of web animations detailing the terrible and mundane life of a man named Jerry, and people related to him.[1][2]

In 2010, he created the *Wacky Game Jokez, 4 Kidz!* series,[2] starring a fictional criminal named Mickey the Dick who is kidnapped by a corporation specializing in video-game parody content. In addition to creating animations, Gilardi co-hosted the *Wisenheimers* podcast with fellow animator Yotam Perel, also known as LazyPillow or LazyMuffin, from 2010 to 2012.[‡ 5][*[non-primary source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research#Primary,_secondary_and_tertiary_sources)*]

### *PONY.MOV* and parody videos

From 2011 to 2013, Gilardi gained notoriety for releasing his six-part video parody of *[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic](/source/My_Little_Pony%3A_Friendship_Is_Magic)*, *[PONY.MOV](/source/PONY.MOV)*, an [adult animated](/source/Adult_animation) [dark comedy](/source/Dark_comedy) web series in the art style of [John Kricfalusi](/source/John_Kricfalusi) and [Spümcø](/source/Sp%C3%BCmc%C3%B8)'s *[The Ren & Stimpy Show](/source/The_Ren_%26_Stimpy_Show)*.[3][4][2] The series obtained a spin-off in the form of a [Tumblr](/source/Tumblr) webcomic, *Ask Jappleack*, and each video highlights a different character from the main cast of the television series.

Gilardi also gained notability for his comedic parodies of video games such as *[Five Nights at Freddy's](/source/Five_Nights_at_Freddy's)*, *[Cuphead](/source/Cuphead)*,[5] and *[Animal Crossing](/source/Animal_Crossing)*, due to their dark nature and subversive themes. The *Animal Crossing* parody has [Isabelle](/source/Isabelle_(Animal_Crossing)), an innocent character in the game, worshipping [Karl Marx](/source/Karl_Marx).[6][7]

### *Brain Dump*

The majority of Gilardi's YouTube videos are self-made: written, animated, and voiced by himself.[‡ 4] In his more recent projects, he has experimented with [3D animation](/source/3D_animation) in conjunction with his 2D work.[2][8]

On September 2, 2016, Gilardi launched a new [YouTube](/source/YouTube) series titled *Brain Dump* in which he reviews movies and other media, often satirically.[‡ 6] The series has since become the main focus of Gilardi's channel, with an overarching narrative exploring his career and the show's three main characters. *Brain Dump* stars Gilardi himself, a ghost named Goofball, and a living television named Burnbot.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*][*[needs update](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*]

In 2018, Gilardi released the video *THE APU THAT I KNOW - Brain Dump*, a 45-minute documentary about *[The Simpsons](/source/The_Simpsons)* character [Apu Nahasapeemapetilon](/source/Apu_Nahasapeemapetilon). It explores the 30-year history of the show and offers a critique of the 2017 documentary *[The Problem with Apu](/source/The_Problem_with_Apu)* by [Hari Kondabolu](/source/Hari_Kondabolu).[9]

## Personal life

On May 3, 2024, Gilardi revealed that he had been diagnosed with [fibromyalgia](/source/Fibromyalgia) during one of his live streams, which had affected the scope of his animated work.[‡ 7] In December 2022, Gilardi came out as [bisexual](/source/Bisexual).[‡ 8]

## Filmography

This section needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

### Web

Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2003–2005 Adam Android Creator 2006–2008 Spookyville USA Sal J. Beauregarde, Jake O'Brien Creator 2007–2009 Jerry Jason, Junior Creator 2010 Wacky Game Jokez, 4 Kidz! Mickey the Dick, June, Eric, The Boss Creator Eddsworld The Delivery Guy Episode: Hammer & Fail (Part 1) NiN10Doh!: To the 64th Power! Ness' Dad Voice role 2010–2012 Wisenheimers Self Podcast, co-host, 48 episodes 2011 The Northern Incident Animator 2011–2013 PONY.MOV Spike, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, various Creator 2014 LUIGI'S DAY OUT Mario, Luigi, Waluigi Animator Skeff's Saturday The Dog Voice role 2015 Fazbear & Friends Freddy Fazbear, Foxy the Pirate Animator 2016 Isabelle Ruins Everything Mayor, various Animator 2016–2022 Brain Dump Max G. (himself; voice), Goofball, various Creator 2017 A Cuphead Cartoon Cuphead, Mugman Animator

### Video games

Year Title Role Notes Ref. TBA Rolus in the Outskirts Cylo Voice

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Jerry_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Jerry_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Jerry_3-2) ["Gilardi Animates Jerry's Daily Grind"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070630084459/http://www.coldhardflash.com/2007/06/gilardi-animates-jerrys-daily-grind.html). Cold Hard Flash. June 27, 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.coldhardflash.com/2007/06/gilardi-animates-jerrys-daily-grind.html) on June 30, 2007. Retrieved May 21, 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:0_6-4) Lewis, Moe (September 22, 2021). ["9 of the Best Animators on YouTube"](https://collider.com/best-youtube-animation-channels/). *Collider*. Retrieved December 20, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Woerner, Meredith (June 26, 2012). ["Incredibly messed-up short gives My Little Ponys's Pinkie Pie a sex tape"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140303112210/http://io9.com/5921536/incredibly-messed+up-short-gives-my-little-ponyss-pinkie-pie-a-sex-tape). *io9*. [io9](/source/Io9). Archived from [the original](http://io9.com/5921536/incredibly-messed+up-short-gives-my-little-ponyss-pinkie-pie-a-sex-tape) on March 3, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Stohs-Krause, Hilary (December 26, 2013). ["BEST OF 2013: 'Brony' fandom carves out space for young men to enjoy friendship ... and cartoon ponies"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160604105328/http://netnebraska.org/article/news/best-2013-brony-fandom-carves-out-space-young-men-enjoy-friendship-and-cartoon-ponies). Netnebraska.org. Archived from [the original](http://netnebraska.org/article/news/best-2013-brony-fandom-carves-out-space-young-men-enjoy-friendship-and-cartoon-ponies) on June 4, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["『Cuphead』海外ファンメイドアニメーションが登場―ブラックユーモア満載……"](https://www.gamespark.jp/article/2017/11/20/76931.html). *Game*Spark - 国内・海外ゲーム情報サイト* (in Japanese). November 20, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["A Cuphead fan has made his own cartoon"](https://htxt.co.za/2017/11/a-cuphead-fan-has-made-his-own-cartoon/). *Hypertext*. November 20, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Isabelle Has Some Revolutionary Ideas For Running Your Animal Crossing Town"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160126082933/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/01/isabelle-has-some-revolutionary-ideas-for-running-your-animal-crossing-town/). *[Kotaku](/source/Kotaku)*. January 25, 2016. Archived from [the original](https://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/01/isabelle-has-some-revolutionary-ideas-for-running-your-animal-crossing-town/) on January 26, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Person, Chris (August 19, 2013). ["King of the Hill, In Eye-Popping 3D"](https://kotaku.com/king-of-the-hill-in-eye-popping-3d-1166349400). *[Kotaku](/source/Kotaku)*. Retrieved May 21, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Hobbs, Renee (January 7, 2021). *Media Literacy in Action: Questioning the Media*. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 294. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9798881849283](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9798881849283).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: date and year ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_date_and_year))

### Primary sources

In the text, these references are preceded by a double dagger (‡):

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Hotdiggedydemon Tumblr"](https://hotdiggedydemon.com/post/44247004797/whats-your-middle-name). Tumblr. [*Tumblr*](/source/Tumblr). Retrieved August 4, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Max G [@hotdiggedydemon] (January 29, 2016). ["Thanks for all the birthday drawings ..."](https://web.archive.org/web/20170205193344/https://twitter.com/hotdiggedydemon/status/693076754034987009) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). Archived from [the original](https://twitter.com/hotdiggedydemon/status/693076754034987009) on February 5, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2016 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_4-0)** McCloud, Skye (May 5, 2004). ["\[ NG Mag \]- Max Gilardi"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120111065420/https://www.newgrounds.com/ngmag/devspot/spotlight/13). [Newgrounds](/source/Newgrounds). Archived from [the original](http://www.newgrounds.com/ngmag/devspot/spotlight/13) on January 11, 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_5-1) ["Hotdiggedydemon • Frequently Asked Questions!"](http://hotdiggedydemon.com/FAQ). *Hotdiggedydemon.com*. Retrieved May 24, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Wisenheimers by Wisenheimers on iTunes"](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wisenheimers/id471653801?mt=2). [iTunes](/source/ITunes). April 26, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Max G [@hotdiggedydemon] (September 2, 2016). ["Please watch my new clickbate / movie review show, BRAIN DUMP! ..."](https://web.archive.org/web/20170206122001/https://twitter.com/hotdiggedydemon/status/771819569488900096) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). Archived from [the original](https://twitter.com/hotdiggedydemon/status/771819569488900096) on February 6, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2016 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [*SAD announcement, then HAPPY stream | RWM*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLE6kRGbjFQ), May 3, 2024, retrieved February 28, 2025

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** hotdiggedydemon (November 20, 2023). [*The ICONIC Minecraft Monday! | RWM*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv13DRlps8o&t=8325). Event occurs at 2:18:45. Retrieved March 19, 2026 – via YouTube. wait wait I'm confused are you gay or bisexual" – "I'm bisexual I guess

## External links

- [Official website](http://hotdiggedydemon.com/)

- [Max Gilardi](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5709592/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

v t e Newgrounds Games that debuted on Newgrounds Pico's School (1999) Alien Hominid (2002) Kaboom: The Suicide Bombing Game (2002) Super Smash Flash (2006) Fancy Pants (2006; 2008) Detective Grimoire (2007) Flash Element TD (2007) V-Tech Rampage (2007) Faith Fighter (2008) Meat Boy (2008) The Majesty of Colors (2008) Epic Battle Fantasy (2009) Raid Gaza! (2009) Aether (2009) Spewer (2009) Closure (2009) Icycle (2009) Tuper Tario Tros. (2009) Hundreds (2010) Loved (2010) One Chance (2010) The Room Tribute (2010) Super Mario Bros. Crossover (2010) The Scale of the Universe (2010; 2012) No Time To Explain (2011) The Binding of Isaac (2011) Abobo's Big Adventure (2012) Dys4ia (2012) WorldBox (2012) Phoenotopia (2014) Friday Night Funkin' (TBA) Films/series that debuted on Newgrounds "All your base are belong to us" (2001) Xiao Xiao (2001–2002) Broken Saints (2001–2003) Neurotically Yours (2002–present) "Badgers" (2003) Eddsworld (2003–present) Potter Puppet Pals (2003) "Numa Numa" (2004) Salad Fingers (2004–present) "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny" (2005) Charlie the Unicorn (2005) Animator vs. Animation (2006–present) Minushi (2007) Pencilmation (2009-present) Saturday Morning Watchmen (2009) Ollie & Scoops (2019–present) Punch Punch Forever! (2023-present) Associated people Alan Becker Brad Borne Kira Buckland Nicky Case Neil Cicierega John Cooney Michael Cusack David Firth Tom Fulp Max Gilardi Tyler Glaiel Edd Gould Zach Hadel Arin Hanson Cary and Michael Huang Jazza JonTron Edmund McMillen Matt Melvin Chris Niosi Ross O'Donovan Chris O'Neill Dan Paladin Adam Phillips Jonti Picking Jason Steele TomSka Thomas and Adam Vian videogamedunkey Related articles The Behemoth Nightmare Cops Adobe Flash Browser games Geometry Dash Ruffle

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Max Gilardi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Gilardi) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Gilardi?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.