Matthew Richard "Matt" Stone (born May 26, 1971) is an American actor, voice artist, animator, screenwriter, director, producer and musician, best known for being the co-creator of South Park along with his creative partner and best friend Trey Parker, as well as co-writing the 2011 multi-Tony Award winning musical The Book of Mormon.
Stone and Parker launched their largely collaborative careers in 1992, making a holiday short titled Jesus vs. Frosty. Their first success came from Alferd Packer: The Musical, subsequently distributed as Cannibal! The Musical. From there he made another short title Jesus vs. Santa, leading him and college friend Parker to create South Park, which has been airing for over fifteen years. He has four Emmy Awards for his role in South Park, winning for both "Outstanding Programming More Than One Hour" and "Outstanding Programming Less Than One Hour".
Early life
Stone was born in Houston, Texas, to Gerald Whitney Stone, Jr. (1941-2010), an economics professor and textbook author, and Sheila Lois Belasco (who share the first names of South Park character Kyle Broflovski's parents). Stone's mother is Jewish and his father was of Irish descent.[3] Stone and his younger sister, Rachel were raised in Littleton, Colorado, a suburb of Denver, Colorado, where both attended Heritage High School. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and was their first student to double major in film and mathematics.[4]
Career
Stone (right) with Trey Parker, January 20, 2007
South Park
In 1992, Stone and Parker created the short film Jesus vs. Frosty.[5] It included four boys, two resembling Stan Marsh and Kyle Broflovski, one called Kenny who looked like Cartman, and a fourth unnamed boy who looked like Kenny. Both Jesus and Cannibal! The Musical were made while they were students at the University of Colorado film school, studying under both Stan Brakhage and Jerry Aronson. After the duo released Cannibal! The Musical, they were asked to make another animated short.[6][7] They came down to two ideas: one a sequel to Jesus vs. Frosty, and one about a character that would later be recurring in South Park, Mr. Hankey.[8] They chose to write about the four boys, and their decision ultimately opened the door for them to present a show (South Park) to Comedy Central.[9] Stone and Parker produced 13 episodes for season 1.[10] The video landed in the hands of Comedy Central's Doug Herzog. "It literally was the funniest thing I'd ever seen," he said in a 2006 interview. "We said, 'Develop a show.' So they went off and developed the show."[11] Stone and Parker produced 13 episodes for season 1. South Park is currently still under contract to produce new episodes through 2016.[12]
In 1999, Stone and Parker made South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, which gave the series prominence.[13] The film's music was nominated for an Academy Award, but lost to "You'll Be In My Heart" from Tarzan.
As of 2007, Parker is credited with directing and writing the vast majority of South Park episodes, and voicing most of the regular and guest characters, leading fans to question Stone's involvement in the creative process. According to a 2007 Maclean's article by Jaime J. Weinman, however, Stone handles the business side of the series as its production coordinator, responsible for assembling its various elements, and making sure they arrive on time and under budget. Stone commented to IGN, "I am not a good director, I know that. I am not a very good actor either, and I know it, but it is good to know that." As Parker is "self-admittedly anti-social" and non-confrontational, Stone is the one who handles conflicts with the network over issues of censorship and contracts, grants interviews with the media in the wake of controversial episodes, and acts as a go-between between Parker and others when Parker says provocative things. Weinman compared Parker and Stone's relationship to that of Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, in which the diplomatic Seinfeld would defuse tension created by more volatile David, and suggested that Parker would not be able to get away with saying offensive things without Stone.[14] On September 25, 2013, South Park's seventeenth season will premiere.[15] Italic text
Other projects
In 1997, they also released Orgazmo, a movie rated NC-17. In 1998, they starred in (but did not write or direct) BASEketball, another feature film, while being renewed for a second season of South Park. In 2001, the duo announced they would do 39 shorts between the lengths of 2 and 5 minutes. Although originally thought to be South Park related, they decided they would do something different. The result was the shorts Princess.[16] The content was so extreme that it was cancelled after two shows aired. In 2001, they also created That's My Bush!, another television series, which was cancelled after one season. In 2004, they made a film, titled Team America: World Police.[17][18] The film was not considered a box-office success, grossing 51 million dollars in theaters, despite largely positive reviews (78% fresh rating on RottenTomatoes.com).[19]
Stone is also a member of the band DVDA with Parker, for which he plays bass and drums. DVDA's songs have appeared in many of the duo's productions, including Orgazmo, BASEketball, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, and Team America: World Police.[20][21][22][23]
Stone claimed that he and Parker were on acid at the time of the 72nd Academy Awards in 2000, where they wore dresses popularized by Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow at previous awards shows.[24]
On September 28, 2007, Parker and Stone acquired the US rights to the Canadian-made Kenny vs. Spenny, which premiered November 14, 2007 on Comedy Central with ten old and new episodes.[25]
In April 2010, Stone and Parker received a "warning" for allegedly representing the Muslim prophet Muhammad in a bear costume: "We have to warn Matt and Trey that what they are doing is stupid and they will probably wind up like Dutch director Theo van Gogh for airing this show."[26] It was revealed in the next episode that the person in the bear costume was actually Santa Claus and not Muhammad; the "real" Muhammad was supposed to appear as well, but Comedy Central had him censored out against Stone and Parker's wishes.
On January 14, 2013, Stone and Parker announced that they would be starting a film production company called Important Studios. Inspired by the production work of Lucasfilm and DreamWorks, Stone and Parker considered founding the studio for approximately two years before committing. The initial financial assets of the studio are valued at $300 million, with the majority of the money originating from South Park, The Book of Mormon, while $60 million is from an investment from Joseph Ravitch of the Raine Group, giving him a 20 percent minority stock.[27]
Theater productions
Parker and Stone have collaborated with Avenue Q composer Robert Lopez on a musical about Mormons; it is titled The Book of Mormon, and stars Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad.[28] It has been produced by Scott Rudin and Anne Garefino. It opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on March 24, 2011, following previews from February 24, 2011.[29] The Book of Mormon won nine Tony Awards in 2011, including that of Best Direction of a Musical for Parker and co-director Casey Nicholaw.
Voices on South Park
Personal life
In 2008, Stone married Angela Howard. He has one son.[30][31]
Regarding religion, Stone considers himself "ethnically Jewish", on account of his mother's descent, but grew up agnostic, and has no other adherence to the religion,[3][31][32] identifying himself as an atheist.[33][34]
Discography
Filmography
| Year |
Production |
Role |
Other notes |
| 1992 |
Jesus vs. Frosty |
Director, Actor, Producer, Writer |
|
| 1994 |
Cannibal! The Musical |
Actor, Producer |
|
| 1995 |
Jesus vs. Santa |
Director, Actor, Producer, Writer |
|
| Your Studio and You |
Actor, Writer |
Cameo |
| 1997 |
South Park (Television series; 1997–present) |
Co-creator, Voice actor, Writer, Director, Executive producer |
|
| Orgazmo |
Actor, Writer, Producer |
Cameo |
| 1998 |
BASEketball |
Actor |
|
| 1999 |
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut |
Voice actor, Writer, Producer |
|
| Terror Firmer |
Actor |
|
| 2000 |
Even If You Don't |
Director |
Music video |
| 2001 |
Princess |
Director, Writer, Voice actor, Producer |
Animation shorts |
| That's My Bush! (Television series; 2001) |
Co-creator, Writer, Executive producer |
Cameo |
| 2003 |
Bowling for Columbine |
Interviewee |
|
| 2004 |
Team America: World Police |
Writer, Voice actor, Producer |
|
| 2006 |
This Film Is Not Yet Rated |
Interviewee |
|
| 2007 |
Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo |
Actor |
|
| Kenny vs. Spenny |
Executive Producer |
|
| 2009 |
How's Your News? |
Executive Producer |
|
| 2010 |
Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage |
Himself |
|
| TBA |
Untitled Fishing Show |
Executive Producer |
|
Awards and nominations
Tony Awards
Emmy Awards
Grammy Awards
References
- ^ Stone said "...I'm Jewish simply because... my mom is Jewish... but... I grew up completely secular and completely agnostic... I am the worst Jew in the world. I know nothing about the religion. I'm completely agnostic (my poor mother)." 'South Park' Creator Matt Stone on Fighting Terrorism on NPR's program Fresh Air, 14 October 2004, (quote begins at 15:05, ends at 16:00)
- ^ "Trey Parker and Matt Stone Talk About Why The Book of Mormon Isn’t Actually Offensive, and the Future of South Park", New York Magazine, March 11, 2011
- ^ a b Raphael, Rebecca. "Who is Kyle Broslofski?". Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ "University of Colorado, Boulder - Alumni". University of Colorado, Boulder. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
- ^ "The Spirit of Christmas: Jesus vs. Frosty". spscriptorium.com. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ VH1 Press | BRIAN GRADEN's Bio
- ^ Brian Graden Biography - life, family, childhood, children, death, history, wife, school, young
- ^ "The South Park Timeline". spscriptorium.com. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ "The Spirit of Christmas: Jesus vs. Santa". spscriptorium.com. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ South Park
- ^ Devin Leonard (October 27, 2006). "South Park creators haven't lost their edge". CNN. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
- ^ "South Park Extended Through 2016!". Comedy Central Insider. Comedy Central. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- ^ "South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ Weinman, Jaime J. (April 23, 2007). "South Park has a silent partner". Maclean's
- ^ Max Nicholson (January 29, 2013). "South Park: Season 17 Delayed Until Fall". ign.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
- ^ "Princess". spschat.com. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ "Trey Parker and Matt Stone talk Team America: World Police". movieweb.com. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ "Interview with Matt Stone". BBC Movies. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ "Team America: World Police (2004)". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
- ^ "Soundtracks for South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ "Soundtracks for Orgazmo". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ "Soundtracks for BASEketball". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ "Soundtracks for Team America: World Police". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ^ Otto, Jeff. "Interview: Trey Parker and Matt Stone". IGN. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ Associated Press (2007-09-28). "Cdn. show hits Comedy Central thanks to South Park creators". cbcnews.ca. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ Hassaballa, Hesham (2010-04-26). "Hesham Hassaballa: What would Prophet Muhammad do?". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- ^ Sorkin, Andrew Ross (2013-01-14). "‘South Park’ Creators to Start Company, Important Studios". The New York Times.
- ^ http://www.bookofmormonbroadway.com/cast.html
- ^ "Cast". The Book of Mormon on Broadway. 2010-04-19.
- ^ Swanson, Carl. "Latter-Day Saints", New York Magazine, March 6, 2011, Page 2
- ^ a b Matt Stone, NNDB, accessed April 17, 2011.
- ^ "Chat with Matt Stone (11/15/2005)". South Park Studios. November 15, 2005. Archived from the original on October 5, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ^ Nightline, ABC News, March 25, 2011, Quote: "I am an atheist, I live my life like I'm an atheist."
- ^ Swanson, Carl (March 11, 2011). "Trey Parker and Matt Stone Talk About Why The Book of Mormon Isn’t Actually Offensive, and the Future of South Park". Vulture/New York Magazine.
- ^ "Nominees and Winners". Grammy.com. Retrieved 2011-12-01.
External links
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| Persondata |
| Name |
Stone, Matthew Richard |
| Alternative names |
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| Short description |
American animator |
| Date of birth |
May 26, 1971 |
| Place of birth |
Houston, Texas, United States |
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