# Trey Parker

> American actor, animator and filmmaker (born 1969)

**Wikidata**: [Q44414](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44414)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trey_Parker)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/trey-parker

## Summary

Trey Parker is an American actor, animator, filmmaker, and musician born on October 19, 1969. He is best known as the co-creator of the critically acclaimed animated television series South Park, which has aired since 1997 and become one of the longest-running and most influential animated shows in television history. Parker has also achieved success as a film director, writer, producer, and composer, notably for the Broadway musical *The Book of Mormon*, which earned him multiple Tony Awards.

## Biography

- **Born**: October 19, 1969
- **Nationality**: American (United States)
- **Education**: Berklee College of Music; University of Colorado Boulder
- **Known for**: Creating and producing *South Park*; co-creating *The Book of Mormon*; voice acting and writing across film, television, and theater
- **Employer(s)**: Comedy Central
- **Field(s)**: Animation, Film, Television, Theatre, Music

## Contributions

Trey Parker's career spans multiple entertainment mediums, with his most significant contributions including:

- **South Park (1997–present)**: Co-created the animated series that has become Comedy Central's flagship program, known for its satirical treatment of current events, politics, and social issues. Parker serves as writer, director, producer, and voice actor for the show, voicing multiple characters including Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski's father Randy Marsh, and others.

- **The Book of Mormon (2011)**: Co-created this Broadway musical with Matt Stone, which premiered at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in 2011. The show won nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical. Parker received Tony Awards for Best Original Score, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Direction of a Musical.

- **That's My Bush! (2001)**: Created and produced this Comedy Central series that aired for one season, featuring a satirical take on the George W. Bush presidency.

- **DVDA (1996–present)**: Co-founded the band DVDA, which has provided music for South Park and released albums including "Chef's Special" and "The Duke of Stirling."

- **Feature Films**: Directed and wrote *South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut* (1999), which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song and became the highest-grossing animated musical at the time.

- **Voice Acting**: Provided voices for numerous characters across South Park and other projects, establishing himself as a prolific voice actor in animation.

## FAQs

**What is Trey Parker best known for?**
Trey Parker is best known as the co-creator of *South Park*, the animated Comedy Central series that premiered in 1997 and has become one of the most successful and longest-running animated shows in television history.

**What awards has Trey Parker won?**
Parker has received numerous awards including multiple Tony Awards for *The Book of Mormon* (Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book, Best Direction of a Musical), Emmy Awards for *South Park*, a Peabody Award, and an Annie Award.

**Where did Trey Parker go to college?**
Trey Parker attended the University of Colorado Boulder and Berklee College of Music, where he studied composition and music.

**What other notable works has Trey Parker created?**
Beyond *South Park*, Parker created *That's My Bush!* (2001), co-created the Broadway hit *The Book of Mormon* (2011), and directed the feature film *South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut* (1999).

**Is Trey Parker also a musician?**
Yes, Parker is a musician, composer, and singer-songwriter. He co-founded the band DVDA and has composed music for *South Park*, *The Book of Mormon*, and other projects.

## Why They Matter

Trey Parker matters as one of the most influential voices in contemporary American comedy and animation. His creation of *South Park* fundamentally changed what was considered acceptable in animated television, pushing boundaries with its sharp political satire and willingness to tackle controversial subjects. The show's success demonstrated that adult animation could achieve mainstream cultural relevance and commercial viability, influencing countless subsequent animated series.

Parker's work on *The Book of Mormon* proved his versatility by successfully translating his comedic sensibilities to Broadway, creating a musical that appeals to both mainstream audiences and theater critics. The show's success challenged assumptions about what topics could be addressed in the musical theater form and demonstrated Parker's ability to work across multiple creative formats.

His influence extends beyond his specific works to shape how popular culture approaches satire, religious commentary, and political critique. Parker's model of small-team, creator-driven production has influenced independent animation and television production. His commitment to maintaining creative control over his projects while achieving massive commercial success represents a significant achievement in the entertainment industry.

## Notable For

- Creating *South Park*, one of the longest-running animated series in television history (premiered 1997)
- Co-creating *The Book of Mormon*, which won 9 Tony Awards including Best Musical
- Receiving multiple Tony Awards including Best Direction of a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical
- Being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Chocolate Salty Balls" from *South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut*
- Winning multiple Emmy Awards for *South Park* including Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program
- Receiving a Peabody Award for excellence in television broadcasting
- Founding and performing with the band DVDA
- Maintaining creative control over *South Park* for over two decades
- Being recognized by the Writers Guild of America West

## Body

### Early Life and Education

Trey Parker was born Randolph Severn Parker III on October 19, 1969. He grew up in Conifer, Colorado, where he developed an early interest in filmmaking and music. Parker attended the University of Colorado Boulder, where he first began creating animated and live-action films with fellow student Matt Stone. He later continued his education at Berklee College of Music, where he studied composition, developing the musical skills that would later contribute to his success in both film and theater.

### South Park and Television Career

The foundation of Trey Parker's career is *South Park*, which he co-created with Matt Stone while both were students at the University of Colorado Boulder. The series premiered on Comedy Central in August 1997 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. *South Park* is notable for its crude animation style, sharp satirical commentary, and willingness to address controversial topics that other television programs might avoid.

Parker serves multiple roles on the series: writer, director, producer, and voice actor. He provides voices for numerous characters including Stan Marsh (one of the four main protagonists), Randy Marsh (Stan's father and one of the show's most frequently featured adult characters), and Sharon Marsh (Stan's mother). His voice acting work extends to characters like the principal characters and various secondary figures throughout the show's run.

The success of *South Park* led to numerous opportunities for Parker and Stone, including the creation of *That's My Bush!* in 2001. This sitcom, which aired on Comedy Central for one season, presented a satirical portrayal of the George W. Bush presidency, treating the White House as a reality television-style domestic setting.

### Film Work

Parker's film career includes both animated and live-action projects. *South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut* (1999) was the first feature-length film based on the television series. The musical comedy film received critical acclaim and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Chocolate Salty Balls," performed by Parker as the character Kenny McCormick. The film demonstrated Parker's ability to translate his television formula into the cinematic medium while expanding on the musical elements that would later become prominent in his work.

### The Book of Mormon and Broadway Success

Perhaps Parker's most unexpected achievement was his transition to traditional musical theater with *The Book of Mormon*. Premiering in 2011 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in New York City, the musical tells the story of two Mormon missionaries who travel to Uganda. The show combined Parker's signature satirical approach with traditional Broadway musical structure, creating a production that appealed to both mainstream audiences and theater critics.

*The Book of Mormon* received nine Tony Awards from 14 nominations, including Best Musical, Best Original Score (co-written by Parker and Stone with composer Robert Lopez), Best Book of a Musical, and Best Direction of a Musical. Parker personally won Tony Awards for Best Original Score, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Direction of a Musical, making him one of the few creators to win in all three categories for a single production.

The success of *The Book of Mormon* demonstrated Parker's versatility as a creator and his ability to apply his comedic sensibilities to established theatrical forms. The show has since become one of the most successful musicals in Broadway history, with productions in multiple countries worldwide.

### Musical Career and DVDA

Beyond his work in film and television, Parker maintains an active musical career. He is the co-founder of the band DVDA, which was established in 1996. The band has provided music for *South Park* and released several albums, including "Chef's Special" and "The Duke of Stirling." Parker's musical contributions to *South Park* include numerous songs featured throughout the series, demonstrating his abilities as a composer, lyricist, and performer.

Parker's skills as a composer and songwriter were further showcased in *The Book of Mormon*, where he wrote both music and lyrics in collaboration with Robert Lopez. His work on the musical demonstrated his ability to create memorable melodies while incorporating his characteristic comedic wordplay.

### Recognition and Awards

Throughout his career, Trey Parker has received numerous awards and recognitions. His work on *South Park* has earned multiple Emmy Awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program. The show has also received a Peabody Award, recognizing its excellence in television broadcasting.

For *The Book of Mormon*, Parker received three Tony Awards in 2012: Best Original Score (with Robert Lopez and Matt Stone), Best Book of a Musical (with Matt Stone), and Best Direction of a Musical. He has also received recognition from the Writers Guild of America West, where he has maintained membership since 1993.

### Influence and Legacy

Trey Parker's influence on American entertainment is substantial. *South Park* has influenced countless animated series and established new standards for political satire in the media. The show's model of rapid production—creating episodes in about a week—has influenced animation workflows across the industry.

Parker's success with *The Book of Mormon* demonstrated that unconventional creators could achieve mainstream success in traditional theatrical contexts. His willingness to satirize religion in a Broadway musical, while ultimately celebrating the art form itself, represented a significant achievement in contemporary theater.

Throughout his career, Parker has maintained creative control over his projects, serving as writer, director, and producer. This creator-driven approach has influenced how entertainment companies approach creative talent, particularly in the television industry.

### Personal Life and Continuing Work

Parker continues to work on *South Park*, which remains in production more than 25 years after its premiere, making it one of the longest-running animated series in television history. The show has maintained its cultural relevance through Parker's continued involvement and willingness to address current events and social issues.

His work spans multiple formats—from television animation to feature films to Broadway musicals—demonstrating remarkable versatility as a creator. Parker's career represents a model of multi-platform success in the entertainment industry, having achieved critical acclaim and commercial success across diverse creative mediums.

## References

1. Who's Who in Animated Cartoon
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12. Internet Broadway Database
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14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. [Source](https://cartoons.osu.edu/biographical-files/)
16. [Source](http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/21/7259309/game-awards-2014-nominees)
17. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2000)
18. BBC Things
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21. Trey Parker (1964 Character Images) - Behind The Voice Actors. Behind The Voice Actors
22. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/trey-parker-107ZzkE3s2/appearances)