Matt Stone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matt Stone
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Stone at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con
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| Born |
Matthew Richard Stone
May 26, 1971 Houston, Texas, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Colorado Boulder (BA) |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1992–present |
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Works
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Filmography and awards |
| Spouse(s) |
Angela Howard
(m. 2008) |
| Children | 2 |
Matthew Richard Stone (born May 26, 1971) is an American voice actor, animator, songwriter, and filmmaker. He is famous for creating the animated TV show South Park (since 1997) and the musical The Book of Mormon (2011) with his friend and creative partner, Trey Parker.
Stone was interested in making movies from a young age. He studied film and mathematics at the University of Colorado Boulder, which is where he met Parker. Together, they made short films and even a full-length movie called Cannibal! The Musical (1993) while they were still in college.
After college, Stone and Parker moved to Los Angeles. They created South Park for the TV channel Comedy Central. The show became a huge hit. They also made a movie based on the show, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999). Stone has also worked on other projects, like the movie Team America: World Police (2004).
For his work, Stone has won many awards. These include five Primetime Emmy Awards for South Park, and three Tony Awards and a Grammy Award for The Book of Mormon.
Early Life and Education
Matt Stone was born in Houston, Texas. His father, Gerald, was an economics professor, and his mother was Sheila. His parents inspired the characters Gerald and Sheila Broflovski in South Park. Stone has a younger sister named Rachel.
The family moved to Littleton, a town near Denver, where Stone grew up. He went to Heritage High School. After graduating, he attended the University of Colorado Boulder. His father wanted him to study something practical, so Stone decided to major in both mathematics and film. He earned his degree in 1993.
Career Journey
First Steps in Filmmaking
Cannibal! The Musical
While in college in 1992, Stone and Parker started a production company with their friends. They used a special animation style with paper cutouts to make a short film called Jesus vs. Frosty.
They also created a trailer for a movie they imagined called Alferd Packer: The Musical. The idea was based on a real person from the 1800s. The trailer was so popular at their university that they decided to make it into a full movie. They raised $125,000 from family and friends to shoot the film.
The movie, later renamed Cannibal! The Musical, premiered in Boulder, Colorado, in 1993. It eventually became a cult classic, and many schools and theaters have even performed it as a stage play.
Early Projects in Los Angeles
After their first film, Stone and Parker moved to Los Angeles to pursue their careers. At first, it was difficult for them to find success. They pitched a kids' show to Fox Kids called Time Warped, but the network decided not to make it.
Later, a Fox executive named Brian Graden asked them to create a short animated film he could send as a video greeting card. They made a sequel to their college film, this time called Jesus vs. Santa. The video was shared online and became one of the first viral videos. This short film got the attention of TV networks and led to the creation of South Park.
The Success of South Park
How South Park Began
The first episode of South Park was made with a budget of $300,000. It was animated using paper cutouts, just like their early short films. The show is set in a fictional town in Colorado, inspired by a real area known for stories about UFOs and other strange events.
South Park first aired in August 1997 on Comedy Central. It quickly became one of the most popular shows on cable TV. The show's success helped Comedy Central grow into a major network. Before the first episode even aired, the network had already made millions of dollars selling T-shirts and other merchandise.
South Park Movie and Lasting Popularity
In 1998, Stone and Parker signed a deal to make a South Park movie. The film, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, was released in 1999. It was a big success with both critics and audiences, earning $83 million at the box office.
Stone and Parker continue to write, direct, and voice most of the characters on South Park. They are known for their fast production schedule, where they create an entire episode in just one week. They believe this helps keep the show fresh and funny.
The show has won many awards over the years, including five Primetime Emmy Awards. While it started in 1997, South Park remains one of Comedy Central's most popular shows. It is set to continue making new seasons for years to come.
Other Creative Projects
Team America: World Police
In 2002, Stone and Parker started working on a movie called Team America: World Police. The film was a comedy that made fun of big-budget action movies. Instead of actors, the movie used marionettes, which are puppets controlled by strings.
Making the film was very challenging. It took a team of about 200 people to bring the puppets to life. Sometimes, a simple action like a puppet drinking a glass of water would take half a day to film correctly. The movie was released in 2004 and received good reviews.
The Broadway Hit The Book of Mormon
While working on Team America, Stone and Parker began creating a musical about Mormonism with composer Robert Lopez. They worked on it for many years around their South Park schedule.
The musical, The Book of Mormon, opened on Broadway in New York City on March 24, 2011. It was a huge success, praised by critics for its story, music, and humor.
The show won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Its soundtrack album also became a bestseller. The musical has since been performed in cities across the country and around the world.
Important Studios and Recent Work
In 2013, Stone and Parker started their own production company called Important Studios. They were inspired by famous film studios like Lucasfilm and DreamWorks.
In 2021, they signed a major deal with Paramount Global to create more seasons of South Park and 14 movies for streaming. That same year, they bought a famous Colorado restaurant called Casa Bonita and spent $40 million to renovate it. The restaurant reopened in 2023 with a new system where all employees are paid a high hourly wage instead of relying on tips.
Personal Life
Stone married Angela Howard in 2008. They have two children and live in Venice, Los Angeles.
Stone has described himself as ethnically Jewish because his mother is Jewish. Politically, he has said he is a libertarian. He explained that he and Parker enjoy making fun of both major political parties in their work.
Filmography and Awards
- Cannibal! The Musical (1993)
- ... (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)
See also
In Spanish: Matt Stone para niños
