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Leopold “Butters” Stotch, a character from “South Park” voiced by Matt Stone, is undeniably a fan favorite. With his unwavering optimism, friendly nature, and distinctive spiky yellow hair, Butters stands out as one of the few consistently kind-hearted souls in the chaotic world of South Park. Initially introduced as a minor background figure, Butters has grown into a pivotal character on the show. His persona is inspired by Eric Stough, the real-life animation director and co-producer of “South Park,” who has worked alongside creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone since the show’s inception.
The creative trio’s collaboration dates back to their college years at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where Parker and Stone first encountered Stough and his remarkable animation skills. They enlisted him to help create “The Spirit of Christmas,” the original short that eventually gave rise to the “South Park” series. Despite his initial reluctance to delve into adult animation—preferring to craft endearing, Disney-esque stories with talking animals—Stough ultimately joined the project, leading to a long and successful career with the iconic show. His nickname, “Butters,” playfully evolved from the word “Buddy.”
Frank Agnone, the supervising producer of “South Park,” highlighted Stough’s importance to the team in an interview with the University of Colorado’s alumni magazine, the Coloradan. Agnone stated, “Eric’s long-standing relationship with Matt and Trey is beyond valuable on a day-to-day basis. He is as much a part of ‘South Park’ as Matt and Trey are.”
Although he missed the first opportunity, Stough eventually got on board, a decision that would lead to his decades-long career with the series along with his nickname, a silly evolution of “Buddy.” Of Stough’s dedication, “South Park” supervising producer Frank Agnone told the University of Colorado alumni mag, the Coloradan, “Eric’s long-standing relationship with Matt and Trey is beyond valuable on a day-to-day basis. He is as much a part of ‘South Park’ as Matt and Trey are.”
Butters isn’t South Park’s only real-life inspired character
Comedy Central
Butters wasn’t the first character borrowed from Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s real life Rolodex by a long shot. “South Park” main characters Kyle and Stan were created as the on-screen counterparts of Trey and Matt. Stan Marsh (played by Parker) was originally meant to be the child version of Trey Parker, while Stan’s best buddy Kyle Broflovski (played by Stone) was meant to be the child version of Matt Stone, although eventually, the pair realized they both resonated more with Eric Cartman’s persona. Likewise, the boys’ families in the series are inspired by the “South Park” creators’ real families right down their names. Parker’s real-world parents are geologist Randy Parker and insurance broker Sharon Parker just like Stan’s parents Randy (Parker) and Sharon (Mary Kay Bergman, Eliza Schneider, and April Stewart), and his sister’s name is Shelley, like Stan’s on-screen sis (also played by Bergman, Schneider, and Stewart). And just as Kyle’s parents are Gerald (played by Stone) and Sheila (Mona Marshall and Bergman), Matt Stone’s real-world parents are Gerald Stone and Sheila Belasco.
Mr. Mackey (Parker) was inspired by Parker’s real-life school counselor, a man by the name of Mr. Lackey who Parker says was the inspiration for his decision to start doing voices as a kid. Similarly, Mr. Garrison (also Parker) is based on one of Parker’s college professors. In fact, Parker has said that every “South Park” character has some basis in real life.
