Matt Stone
Matt Stone | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 26, 1971 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, animator, writer, producer, musician |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Known for | Co-creator of South Park and The Book of Mormon |
Matthew Richard Stone (born May 26, 1971) is a multifaceted American talent known for his work as an actor, animator, writer, producer, and musician. He gained widespread recognition as the co-creator of the long-running animated series South Park (debuting in 1997) and the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon (2011), both developed alongside his creative collaborator Trey Parker. Stone pursued studies in film and mathematics at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he first connected with Parker. Together, they produced several short films and the feature-length musical Cannibal! The Musical (1993).
After relocating to Los Angeles, Stone and Parker penned their sophomore film, Orgazmo (1997). Prior to that film’s release, their breakthrough series South Park premiered on Comedy Central in August 1997 to critical acclaim. They followed this success with the movie South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999), which was well-received by critics. Beyond the South Park franchise, Stone also wrote, produced, and starred in the satirical action movie Team America: World Police (2004) and co-created the acclaimed Broadway production The Book of Mormon (2011), which garnered positive reviews after an extensive development period.
Stone’s achievements include multiple accolades such as five Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on South Park, alongside three Tony Awards and one Grammy Award for contributions to The Book of Mormon.
Early life
Born in Houston, Texas, Stone is the son of Gerald Whitney Stone, an economics professor, and Sheila Lois (Belasco). His paternal lineage is Irish-American, while his maternal side is Jewish. The characters Gerald and Sheila Broflovski from South Park were named in homage to his parents. Raised alongside his younger sister Rachel in Littleton, a Denver suburb, Stone attended Heritage High School. He later enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he completed a double major in mathematics and film, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1993.
Cannibal! The Musical (1992–1994)
In 1992, Stone, Parker, and Ian Hardin established their production company Avenging Conscience, a name chosen ironically after a disliked D. W. Griffith film. For their initial project, Parker employed cutout paper animation techniques to create the short animated film Jesus vs. Frosty (1992).
The team then developed a three-minute trailer for Alferd Packer: The Musical, inspired by the true story of a nineteenth-century prospector accused of cannibalism. Despite facing personal obstacles during production, Parker crafted the screenplay as an Oklahoma!-influenced musical featuring ten original songs. They secured $125,000 from friends and family to finance the feature-length film, which was shot on location amid challenging winter conditions. Parker took on multiple roles—star, director, and co-producer—under the pseudonym Juan Schwartz.
The premiere of Alferd Packer: The Musical took place in Boulder in October 1993. Although it was not accepted by the Sundance Film Festival, they organized independent screenings nearby that attracted industry interest following coverage by MTV. Their initial goal was to sell video rights for $1 million to fund future projects; however, they ultimately sold it to Troma Entertainment in 1996 under the new title Cannibal! The Musical. After achieving greater fame later on, it became their best-selling release and has since gained cult status, inspiring numerous theatrical adaptations across the country.
The Spirit of Christmas and Orgazmo (1995–1997)
Following the triumph of their initial film, the pair relocated to Los Angeles without Hardin. There, they established connections with a lawyer from the William Morris Agency and producer Scott Rudin, which resulted in securing legal counsel, agency representation, and a script agreement. Despite early enthusiasm, financial challenges persisted; Stone even resorted to sleeping on unwashed laundry for over a year. They developed a children's program titled Time Warped for Fox Kids, producing two pilots and earning approval from Fox executive Pam Brady, but the network ultimately discontinued its Fox Kids division.
Director David Zucker commissioned them to produce a 15-minute parody short for Seagram in celebration of its acquisition of Universal Studios. Much of the content was improvised shortly before filming, culminating in Your Studio and You, which featured stars such as Sylvester Stallone and Steven Spielberg. Parker later remarked that directing Spielberg was a demanding task for two recent college graduates.
During this timeframe, Parker penned Orgazmo, which entered production with half its funding sourced from Japanese adult entertainment company Kuki, intending to introduce its talent to Western media audiences. Independent distributor October Films purchased distribution rights for $1 million following its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film was assigned an NC-17 rating by the Motion Picture Association of America, restricting its theatrical revenue potential. Parker and Stone engaged in discussions with the MPAA but received no specific instructions; they later inferred that the MPAA’s stance was influenced by the film’s independent release.
Fox executive Brian Graden personally financed a video greeting card sequel to their short Jesus vs. Frosty. Distributed on VHS to industry insiders, this clip emerged as one of the earliest viral videos on the internet. Building on this exposure, Parker and Stone expanded the concept into a television series eventually named South Park. Although Fox expressed initial interest, they declined to proceed due to the character Mr. Hankey. Subsequently, the duo negotiated with both MTV and Comedy Central, ultimately choosing Comedy Central to avoid MTV’s potential focus on younger audiences. After Comedy Central executive Doug Herzog reviewed the short, he approved development into a full series.
Premiere and initial success (1997–1998)
The pilot episode of South Park was created on a budget of $300,000 over approximately three to three and a half months in 1996, utilizing traditional cut-paper stop-motion animation at Celluloid Studios in Denver, Colorado. The show's setting drew inspiration from an actual Colorado basin renowned for folklore involving cattle mutilations, UFO sightings, and Bigfoot legends.
Debuting in August 1997, South Park rapidly ascended to become one of cable television's leading programs, attracting between 3.5 and 5.5 million viewers and elevating Comedy Central into a prominent cable network despite its then-limited reach of 21 million subscribers. Aggressive promotional campaigns positioned the show as "why they created the V-chip," generating approximately $30 million in T-shirt sales prior to airing the first episode. Following the success of the initial six episodes, Comedy Central commissioned seven additional episodes to complete the first season by February 1998.
The show's widespread acclaim led Comedy Central to form an independent sales division, separating from its MTV Network affiliation. By late 1998, merchandise revenue exceeded $150 million, including sales of T-shirts and dolls. South Park contributed to attracting 3 million new subscribers in early 1998 and facilitated international distribution agreements.
Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone attained celebrity status and capitalized on their early achievements through various endeavors such as film roles and music projects. Their approach of embracing diverse opportunities resulted in ventures like the 1998 comedy film BASEketball, which met with limited critical and commercial success.
Bigger, Longer, and Uncut and ongoing achievements (1999–present)
In April 1998, Parker and Stone secured an agreement with Comedy Central to produce South Park episodes through 1999, which included a portion of the revenue from related merchandise and a substantial seven-figure bonus intended to fund a feature-length film.[1] Throughout this time, they penned the second and third seasons of the show, although they later described the second season as "disastrous." Anticipating that the show's popularity might wane, they fully dedicated themselves to developing a musical movie.[2] They engaged in negotiations with the MPAA to retain an R rating for the film, which was ultimately granted only two weeks prior to its release after discussions with Paramount Pictures.[3][4] Parker found the production phase particularly taxing, especially amid media speculation about the series' potential decline.[5] The film debuted in June 1999, receiving critical praise and generating $83 million in box office revenue.
Parker and Stone have consistently maintained creative control over South Park, serving as writers, directors, and voice actors for most characters. They utilize an unconventional production method that allows them to complete each episode within a single week.[6] This accelerated timeline encourages spontaneity, which enhances the comedic effect.[7] Although initially criticized for its coarse humor, South Park has earned five Primetime Emmy Awards, one Peabody Award, and is frequently cited as one of television's most outstanding series. While its audience numbers have decreased since its peak, it continues to rank among Comedy Central’s top-rated programs.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name In 2012, the production schedule shifted from producing 14 episodes yearly to 10 episodes concentrated in a fall season, enabling Parker and Stone to explore additional creative ventures.[8] The show has been renewed through 2022, reaching its twenty-sixth season.[9]
The South Park franchise expanded into music and gaming. Comedy Central released albums such as Chef Aid: The South Park Album and Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics during the late 1990s.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The track "Chocolate Salty Balls" achieved number one status in the UK charts in 1998.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Initially not involved in video game development, Parker and Stone later assumed full creative oversight for South Park: The Stick of Truth (2014), which was met with positive reviews and garnered industry accolades.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Broadcast syndication rights were sold in 2003,[10][11] with all episodes legally accessible for free streaming on South Park Studios’ official website.[12] In 2007, they negotiated a $75 million joint venture with Comedy Central that granted them equal revenue sharing on all non-television income streams—including digital rights, films, soundtracks, and merchandise—significantly broadening their business interests.[13]
That's My Bush! (2000–2001)
In 2000, Parker and Stone created a sitcom centered around the anticipated winner of the 2000 presidential election. Initially expecting Democratic candidate Al Gore to prevail, the project was tentatively titled Everybody Loves Al. The series intended to parody conventional sitcom formulas within the White House environment, focusing more on satirizing sitcom clichés than political content. Production commenced following the election; however, uncertainty regarding the presidency delayed filming. The show was filmed at Sony Pictures Studios, marking Parker and Stone’s first experience working on a studio lot.
That's My Bush! aired between April and May 2001. Although it attracted critical attention, each episode cost approximately $1 million to produce. Comedy Central canceled the series in August 2001 as part of budget reductions; Stone commented that such expenses were unsustainable for a smaller cable network. Despite cancellation, reruns persisted due to its creative merit. Parker and Stone later acknowledged that the show likely would not have succeeded had it aired after the September 11 attacks.
During this timeframe, they also partnered with Shockwave.com to develop 39 animated web shorts while maintaining complete artistic control; however, their series Princess was discontinued after only two installments.
Team America (2002–2004)
In 2002, the pair initiated production on Team America: World Police, a parody that skewered high-budget action film tropes alongside U.S. international politics. The project involved a team of approximately 200 individuals, with as many as four puppeteers controlling each marionette. Despite employing around thirty-six expert puppeteers, even straightforward movements such as a character drinking demanded significant time to perform. The demanding production schedule and intense workload heavily impacted the creators; Stone described this period as "the worst time of [his] life," relying on caffeine to sustain 20-hour workdays and using sleeping aids to rest. The film was finalized just in time for its October debut, garnering favorable critical reception and achieving moderate box office success.
The Book of Mormon (2011–present)
During the development of Team America, Parker and Stone teamed up with writer-composer Robert Lopez to create a musical centered on Mormonism. Lopez, known for Avenue Q and a fan of South Park, joined forces with them following a performance of his show. The musical, titled The Book of Mormon: The Musical of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, underwent several years of development, with songwriting commencing in 2006 and workshops starting in 2008. Producer Scott Rudin opted to launch it directly on Broadway rather than off-Broadway, raising the stakes for Parker and Stone.
After extensive revisions and rehearsals, The Book of Mormon premiered at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on March 24, 2011. It earned widespread critical praise for its storyline, score, performances, direction, and choreography. The original Broadway cast album became the highest-charting Broadway recording in over four decades. The show won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Since then, the production has expanded with two national tours, a run in Chicago, and a UK staging. Parker and Stone have announced that a film adaptation is currently in pre-production.
Future projects (2013–present)
With financial backing from South Park and The Book of Mormon, Parker and Stone founded Important Studios in January 2013 to create new ventures across film, television, and theater.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they collaborated with Peter Serafinowicz on the web series Sassy Justice, which utilized deepfake technology to lampoon celebrities and political figures. Its first episode was released on YouTube in October 2020. Initially conceived as a feature film, the project evolved into a series of shorts plus a 15-minute episode with potential for further development.
In August 2021, Stone and Parker secured a $900 million agreement with Paramount Global to produce six additional South Park seasons along with fourteen movies for streaming platforms. Following the expiration of HBO Max rights in June 2025, they arranged an exclusive five-year streaming deal with Paramount+, committing to deliver ten episodes annually. This contract elevated their net worth to billionaire status.
In September 2021, they purchased Casa Bonita for $3.1 million, outbidding a competing group. Committing over $40 million toward renovations, they brought on Chef Dana Rodriguez to overhaul the menu. Casa Bonita held a soft reopening in May 2023 and began accepting reservations by June. They also restructured employee pay by removing tipping and instituting wages of $30 per hour—significantly above Colorado’s minimum wage.
In January 2022, Stone revealed plans to produce an untitled film alongside Parker under their rebranded company Park County in collaboration with Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free’s media venture PGLang. This marks their inaugural theatrical partnership with Lamar and Free. Additionally, Parker and Stone developed deepfakes featured in Lamar’s 2022 music video "The Heart Part 5" through their AI startup Deep Voodoo. In March 2023, Parker was confirmed as director of this live-action comedy addressing racial themes, penned by Vernon Chatman, with distribution by Paramount Pictures. Production is slated to begin in fall 2024.
Personal life
Stone met Angela Howard, an executive at Comedy Central, in 2001, and the couple tied the knot in 2008. They have two children and currently live in Venice, Los Angeles.
He identifies ethnically as Jewish through his maternal lineage but holds atheist beliefs. In terms of political views, Stone expressed a strong aversion to both conservative and liberal ideologies in 2001. By 2010, he clarified that his satirical work primarily critiques liberals because they are less frequently targeted by others. In 2006, he described his political stance as libertarian.
Soundtrack albums
| Title | Details | Highest chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | Can | ||
| Chef Aid: The South Park Album |
|
16 | 14 |
| South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut |
|
28 | 20 |
| Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics |
|
— | — |
| Team America: World Police |
|
— | — |
Cast recording
| Title | Details | US |
|---|---|---|
| The Book of Mormon: Original Broadway Cast Recording |
|
3 |
Filmography and accolades
- Cannibal! The Musical (1993)
- Orgazmo (1997)
- BASEketball (1998)
- South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
- Terror Firmer (1999)
- Bowling for Columbine (2002)
- Run Ronnie Run (2002)
- Team America: World Police (2004)
- The Aristocrats (2005)
- This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006)
- Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo (2007)
- Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage (2010)
External links
- Matt Stone and Trey Parker at the Official South Park Website
- Fresh Air Interview
- Mormon Composer Matt Stone on Broadway.com
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