Trey Parker

Trey Parker
Name	Trey Parker
Birth name	Randolph Severn Parker III
Birth date	August 19, 1969
Birth place	Conifer, Colorado, U.S.
Occupation	Animator, voice actor, writer, director, producer, composer
Years active	1992–present
Notable works	South Park, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, The Book of Mormon

Trey Parker is an American animator, voice actor, writer, director, producer, and composer best known for co-creating the animated sitcom South Park and co-writing the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon. He frequently collaborates with Matt Stone and has produced work spanning television, film, and theater. Parker's work is noted for its satirical approach to contemporary American politics, popular culture, and religion.

Early life and education

Born Randolph Severn Parker III in Conifer, Colorado, Parker grew up in the Denver metropolitan area and attended Fairview High School where he participated in theater and filmmaking programs. He later studied at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he met Matt Stone in an animation class and collaborated on early shorts such as "The Spirit of Christmas." During his time at university he was involved with campus organizations and student film festivals that helped launch his career in animation and film festivals.

Career

Parker's early career included creating animated shorts that circulated widely, attracting the attention of industry figures and leading to deals with networks such as Fox and Comedy Central. Alongside Stone, he developed a unique production process combining computer animation and rapid topical scripting, enabling quick responses to current events featured in episodes broadcast on South Park. He has worked with executives and producers across television networks and independent film production companies, and has contributed voice acting, songwriting, directing, and producing to a variety of projects.

South Park

Parker co-created South Park with Matt Stone; the series premiered on Comedy Central in 1997. The show features a recurring ensemble of characters from the fictional town of South Park, Colorado and parodies figures and institutions such as Michael Jackson, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Jesus, and celebrities portrayed in satirical storylines. Parker provides multiple principal voices on the series and serves as showrunner, writer, director, and composer, overseeing collaborations with animators, storyboard artists, and network executives. The series has spawned a feature film, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, and has influenced late‑night television programming, award ceremonies, and discussions about censorship and free expression led by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union.

Film and television projects

Beyond South Park, Parker co-wrote and co-directed South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and has been involved in projects including the animated feature Team America: World Police, and guest appearances on series and specials broadcast by Comedy Central and other networks. He has collaborated with figures from Hollywood and the music industry to produce original songs and scores, working with studios, producers, and cast across film festivals and award seasons. Parker's television work extends to specials, animated shorts, and production roles that intersect with syndication, streaming platforms, and anthology programming.

Theater and musicals

Parker and Matt Stone co-created the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon with Robert Lopez, which premiered on Broadway and earned critical and commercial success. The musical involved partnerships with National Theatre of Great Britain-linked producers and Broadway houses, and featured choreography, orchestration, and casting that bridged comedy and musical theater. Its run resulted in Tony Award nominations and wins, expanding Parker's profile in live theater and leading to tours and international productions.

Awards and recognition

Parker's work has been recognized with awards including Tony Awards for The Book of Mormon and nominations or wins from organizations such as the Primetime Emmy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, and guilds representing writers, directors, and composers. He has received honors from industry institutions, critics' associations, and festival juries for contributions to animation, film, and theater, and has been cited in profiles and retrospectives in major media outlets.

Personal life

Parker has maintained a private personal life while occasionally appearing in interviews and public events alongside collaborators like Matt Stone and Broadway colleagues. He has lived in locations connected to the entertainment industry, invested in production companies, and participated in philanthropic and cultural initiatives. Parker's interests outside of work include filmmaking, music composition, and involvement in creative communities tied to animation, theater, and television.

Category:American animators Category:American voice actors Category:American comedians Category:1969 births Category:Living people