Why Is Matt Stone Worth More Than Trey Parker
When looking at the personal fortunes of Matt Stone and Trey Parker, there are a few key factors that contribute to Stone having a higher net worth. Though they co-created South Park and split profits evenly, Stone has more side projects and prudent investments that Parker lacks.
Trey Parker Net Worth
Category: Richest Celebrities › Richest Comedians Net Worth: $600 Million Date of Birth: Oct 19, 1969 (54 years old) Place of Birth: Denver Gender: Male Height: 6 ft (1.85 m) Profession: Television producer, Actor, Screenwriter, Film director, Television Director, Animator, Musician, Film Producer, Lyricist, Voice Actor Nationality: United States of America 💰 Compare Trey Parker’s Net Worth
- Early Life
- Career
- Digital Contract
- An Extremely Valuable Contract Clause
- 2021 Viacom/CBS Deal
- Merchandise
- Personal Life
- Awards and Nominations
- Real Estate Portfolio
What is Trey Parker’s Net Worth?
Trey Parker is an American writer, producer, director, composer, animator and actor. Trey Parker has a net worth of $600 million. Trey Parker created the two short films that inspired “South Park” with his college classmate and creative partner, Matt Stone. They created “Jesus vs. Frosty” while they were in school together. After graduating and relocating to Hollywood, they created “Jesus vs. Santa”, an unofficial sequel to their earlier project. “Jesus vs. Santa” was a massive hit, and eventually found its way to Doug Herzog, the CEO of Comedy Central. He invited the pair to create a series, and “South Park” was born. The show began airing in 1997.
The duo has also worked together on the films “Cannibal! The Musical” (1993), “Orgazmo” (1997), “BASEketball” (1998), “South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut” (1999), and “Team America: World Police” (2004), the Comedy Central series “That’s My Bush!” (2001), and the web series “Sassy Justice” (2020–present). Matt and Trey co-created the Broadway musical “Book of Mormon,” which won nine Tonys and has grossed over $500 million from ticket sales, merchandise, and more.
Parker voices numerous characters on “South Park,” including Stan Marsh and Eric Cartman, and he voiced several characters in “Team America: World Police” and Balthazar Bratt in 2017’s “Despicable Me 3.” He also played Alferd Packer in “Cannibal! The Musical,” Joe Young in “Orgazmo,” and Joe Cooper in “BASEketball,” and he appeared in the films “Run Ronnie Run!” (2002) and “Tales from the Crapper” (2004).
- Signed $900 million deal with ViacomCBS in August 2021
- Book of Mormon has generated $500 million in revenue to date
- Splits 50% of all digital revenue generated by “South Park”
- Made $125 million when “South Park” sold streaming rights to HBOMax
- South Park IP assets are worth $1 billion
- Merchandise and foreign syndication generates $10-20m per year
- Owns at least 10 properties in the US
- Real estate portfolio is worth $50 million minimum
Early Life
Trey Parker was born Randolph Severn Parker III on October 19, 1969, in Conifer, Colorado. Trey grew up with father Randy (a geologist), mother Sharon (an insurance saleswoman), and older sister Shelley. Randy, Sharon, and Shelley later became the names of Stan Marsh’s family on “South Park,” and Randy had a small role as Judge Jerry in “Cannibal! The Musical.” Parker took honors classes and loved Monty Python, and as a sixth grader, he performed a sketch he wrote, “The Dentist,” in the school talent show. The amount of fake blood in the sketch resulted in the school calling Trey’s parents, and he remembers that “the kindergartners were all crying and freaking out.” Parker started making short films at age 14, and during his later teenage years, he was interested in pursuing a music career and recorded the comedy album “Immature: A Collection of Love Ballads For The ’80’s Man” with David Goodman, who later wrote for “South Park” and served as a “fart coach” on the 1998 episode “Terrance and Phillip in Not Without My Anus.”
When Trey was 14, he performed in community theatre productions of “Flower Drum Song” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and designed sets for “Little Shop of Horrors.” Parker attended Evergreen High School, and by his senior year, he “had the lead in all the plays, and was the head of choir, and then [he] was prom king.” After graduating in 1988, he enrolled at Berklee College of Music, and after one semester, he transferred to the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he met Matt Stone in a film class. Trey’s first film was 1989’s “Giant Beavers of Southern Sri Lanka,” and around this time, he began co-writing and co-starring in short films with Matt, such as “Man on Mars” and “First Date.” In 1993, Parker’s short film “American History” earned him a Student Academy Award.
Career
In 1992, Parker and Stone founded the Avenging Conscience production company with Jason McHugh and Ian Hardin, and they made the short film “Jesus vs. Frosty” (which is also known as “The Spirit of Christmas,” along with their 1995 short “Jesus vs. Santa”) using construction paper cutouts. The short marks the first appearance of the boys who would become Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Kenny McCormick, and Eric Cartman. Matt, Trey, Jason, and Ian made a trailer for “Alferd Packer: The Musical,” a film that did not exist, and it was so popular among their fellow students that the chairman of the school’s film department convinced them to make it into a movie. Fueled by heartbreak after being cheated on by his fiancée, Liane Adamo, Parker threw himself into making the film, which he worked on as a writer, director, producer, composer, and actor. Later retitled “Cannibal! The Musical” after it was sold to Troma Entertainment, the film tells the story of Alferd Packer (also known as “The Colorado Cannibal”), who is abandoned by his horse Liane during a mining expedition to Colorado Territory.
Parker and Stone moved to Hollywood and got an agent, lawyer, and script deal, but they spent the next few years struggling. Trey wrote, directed, and produced “Orgazmo,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 1997; October Films bought the rights to the superhero sex comedy for $1 million. After producer Brian Graden saw “Jesus vs. Frosty,” he asked Parker and Stone to create a video greeting card for him to send to his friends; the result was “Jesus vs. Santa,” and it led to Comedy Central executive Doug Herzog asking the duo to develop it into a series. They made the pilot for $300,000, and due to Comedy Central’s marketing of the show, the network made approximately $30 million in t-shirt sales before the show began airing. As of this writing, “South Park” has aired more than 300 episodes over 23 seasons and spawned the movie “South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut” (which grossed $83.1 million at the box office), the albums “Chef Aid: The South Park Album” (1998) and “Mr. Hankey’s Christmas Classics” (1999), and several video games.
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In 2002, Matt and Trey began working on the R-rated puppet film “Team America: World Police,” which they co-wrote and co-produced; Parker directed the film, and wrote most of its songs. Both men agreed that making “Team America” was “the hardest thing [they’d] ever done,” with Stone stating, “It was the worst time of my entire life – I never want to see a puppet again.” During the production of “Team America,” Matt and Trey began working on “The Book of Mormon” with writer-composer Robert Lopez, who co-created “Avenue Q.” The musical opened on Broadway on March 24, 2011, with Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad in the lead roles and earned 14 Tony nominations. In 2013, Parker and Stone announced that they were launching the production studio Important Studios, saying, “Having worked with several different studios over the years, we came to realize that our favorite people in the world are ourselves.” In 2017, Trey lent his voice to the blockbuster film “Despicable Me 3,” which grossed $1.035 billion worldwide. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Parker and Stone released two “South Park” specials, “The Pandemic Special” (2020) and “South ParQ Vaccination Special” (2021).
Digital Contract
Back in 2007, Matt and Trey’s Comedy Central contract was up for renewal. When the ink was dry, the duo landed a new deal that is considered unprecedented in Hollywood. The deal allowed them to create a digital hub for everything related to South Park, including streaming episodes. Most importantly though, it gave them a 50% cut of all ad revenue generated by the show, digital or broadcast. As a result of this unheard of contract, Parker and Stone earn an estimated $25-30 million per year EACH just from the broadcast of the show on Comedy Central. They also get a 50% cut any time the show is sold into syndication, like in 2015 when Hulu paid $198 million for the streaming rights or in 2019 when South Park’s streaming rights were put on the market for $500 million. Each transaction earned the duo a 50% cut (25% each).
An Extremely Valuable Contract Clause
How were they able to land such a sweet deal? It all stems back to a loophole in their very first Comedy Central contract from 1997. Back then, no one could have imagined that the digital rights to a property could ever become valuable. Well, no one except Matt, Trey, and an extremely forward-thinking lawyer. That lawyer included a clause in the original contract which stated that the creators would receive a 50% cut of any revenue generated apart from the actual show’s television broadcast. For around twenty years, that clause was essentially worthless. That all changed with the advent of YouTube and other video streaming platforms.
Viacom briefly attempted to argue their way out of the clause, but in the end, Parker and Stone were successful in not only owning a 50% cut of non-broadcast revenue but also in having the right to distribute the show digitally as they saw fit. Once they saw their show being pirated non-stop on YouTube, Matt and Trey decided it would be pointless to fight the pirates, so they put every single episode online for free, earning millions from the digital ad revenue. They really started to cash in with the advent of streaming services like Hulu. When Hulu paid $192 million for 4 years of rights to the back catalogue, Matt and Trey each earned around $50 million. At the time, is was the largest streaming deal in history. In 2019 when the deal was up, HBO Max obtained exclusive streaming rights in a deal that was rumored to be worth $500 million-$550 million.
2021 Viacom/CBS Deal
On August 5, 2021 it was revealed that Matt and Trey had signed a new six-year, $900 million contract with ViacomCBS. Under the deal Matt and Trey will produce six seasons of the show and 14 movies which will be exclusive to streaming service Paramount+.
Merchandise
Viacom/Comedy Central was smarter when it came to merchandise rights. From the show’s inception, Viacom has had a lion’s share of merchandise rights, reportedly as high as 90%. That might have been re-negotiated in recent contracts, but the current terms have not been discussed publicly.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Personal Life
Trey married Emma Sugiyama in January 2006, and producer Norman Lear served as the wedding officiant. The couple divorced in 2008, and Parker went on to wed Boogie Tillmon in April 2014, becoming stepfather to her son Kobe. In 2013, Trey and Boogie welcomed daughter Betty, who has voiced Ike Broflovski and the PC Babies on “South Park.” Parker and Tillmon separated in February 2019, and Trey filed for divorce the following month, requesting joint legal and physical custody of Betty. Parker and Stone are known for poking fun at religion in their work, and Trey has said “All the religions are super funny to me… The story of Jesus makes no sense to me. God sent His only Son. Why could God only have one son and why would He have to die? It’s just bad writing, really. And it’s really terrible in about the second act.”
Awards and Nominations
Parker earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Music, Original Song for “Blame Canada” from “South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut,” and “The Book of Mormon” won nine Tonys, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score. The musical also earned Trey a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album as well as honors from the Outer Critics Circle Awards and Drama Desk Awards. For “South Park,” he has earned 18 Primetime Emmy nominations, winning Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour) in 2005, 2007, and 2009, Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or More) in 2008, and Outstanding Animated Program in 2013.
“South Park” has also earned Parker an Annie Award (Writing in an Animated Television or Other Broadcast Venue Production), CableACE Award (Animated Programming Special or Series), Online Film and Television Association Award (Best Voice-Over Performance), and a PGA Award (Most Promising Producer in Television). He won NAVGTR Awards for Writing in a Comedy and Performance in a Comedy, Supporting for the video game “South Park: The Stick of Truth,” and he received a Chicago Film Critics Association Award (Best Original Score), MTV Movie Award (Best Musical Performance), Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award (Best Music), Online Film and Television Association Award (Best Music, Original Score) for “South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut.” For “The Spirit of Christmas,” Trey won an Audience Award for Best Short at the 1997 Florida Film Festival and a Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Animation. At the 2003 Santa Monica Film Festival, Parker and Stone were honored with the Maverick Filmmakers Award.
Real Estate Portfolio
Trey is famous for owning an impressive portfolio of properties around the world. In April 2019, fresh off filing for divorce from Boogie, he spent $6.2 million on a mansion in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. A year earlier, he spent $3.1 million on a condo in Manhattan. He already owned a seven-bedroom unit next door that he bought in 2011 for $4 million. In 2016, Parker sold a longtime home in Venice, California, for $4.3 million.
Other properties include a riverfront mansion in Kauai, Hawaii, a condo in Seattle, several homes in the Hollywood Hills, a 10,000 square-foot mansion in a different part of L.A. (purchased in 2011 for $14 million), and a large compound in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
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All net worths are calculated using data drawn from public sources. When provided, we also incorporate private tips and feedback received from the celebrities or their representatives. While we work diligently to ensure that our numbers are as accurate as possible, unless otherwise indicated they are only estimates. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below.
Why Is Matt Stone Worth More Than Trey Parker?
Matt Stone and Trey Parker are the co-creators of the hit animated comedy series South Park. They have worked together for over 25 years, but you may be surprised to learn that Matt Stone has a higher net worth than Trey Parker.
If you’re wondering why there is such a big discrepancy between these partners’ fortunes, read on to find out. We’ll take an in-depth look at their careers, finances, assets, and other factors that contribute to Matt Stone’s greater wealth.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Matt Stone is worth an estimated $700 million while Trey Parker is worth around $600 million. The $100 million difference comes down to Stone’s investments outside of South Park, especially in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon.
Early Beginnings
How Stone and Parker got their start in film and television
Both Matt Stone and Trey Parker have had successful careers in the entertainment industry, but their paths to success were different. Stone and Parker first met while studying film at the University of Colorado, where they collaborated on a short film called “The Spirit of Christmas.”
This film would later become the foundation for their hit animated series, South Park.
After graduating, Stone and Parker continued to work together on various projects, honing their skills in writing and animation. They created several short films and even produced a musical called “Cannibal! The Musical.”
While these projects garnered some attention, it wasn’t until they landed a deal with Comedy Central that their careers really took off.
Their first big break with South Park in 1997
In 1997, Stone and Parker debuted South Park, an animated series that quickly gained a cult following. The show’s irreverent humor and social commentary resonated with audiences, and it became a massive success.
South Park has since become one of the longest-running animated series in television history, with over 300 episodes and numerous awards to its name.
The success of South Park catapulted Stone and Parker into the spotlight, allowing them to expand their creative endeavors. They went on to create other successful projects, including the Tony Award-winning musical The Book of Mormon and the film Team America: World Police.
Stone had a head start in the entertainment industry
While both Stone and Parker have achieved great success, Stone had a slight head start in the entertainment industry. Before attending the University of Colorado, Stone had already gained experience in the film industry.
He worked for a short time at Troma Entertainment, a low-budget film studio, where he learned the ins and outs of filmmaking.
This early experience gave Stone a solid foundation and a deeper understanding of the industry. It also allowed him to develop his unique comedic style, which would later be showcased in South Park and other projects.
South Park Earnings
When it comes to the creators of the popular animated sitcom South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, it might come as a surprise to some that Matt Stone is worth more than Trey Parker. This can be attributed to a number of factors, including the profit breakdown for South Park studios, the revenue from merchandising and licensing, and the controversies that have increased the show’s popularity.
Profit breakdown for South Park studios
South Park is a highly profitable show, and the earnings of Matt Stone and Trey Parker reflect this success. According to Forbes, South Park Studios generated over $500 million in revenue in 2019 alone.
This revenue comes from a variety of sources, including advertising revenue, syndication deals, and streaming rights. While both Stone and Parker are involved in the production and writing of the show, it is likely that the profit breakdown favors Stone due to his additional roles as executive producer and voice actor for several characters.
Merchandising and licensing revenue
One major source of revenue for South Park and its creators is merchandising and licensing. South Park has a wide range of merchandise available, including t-shirts, toys, and even video games. The popularity of the show has allowed for lucrative licensing deals with companies such as Funko and Kidrobot.
While both Stone and Parker benefit from these deals, it is possible that Stone has negotiated more favorable terms or has a larger ownership stake in these ventures, contributing to his higher net worth.
Controversies increased show popularity
South Park is known for pushing boundaries and tackling controversial topics, which has resulted in increased viewership and popularity over the years. The show has been praised for its irreverent humor and social commentary, but it has also faced backlash and censorship attempts.
Controversies surrounding South Park have often led to increased media attention, which in turn boosts ratings and advertising revenue. This increased popularity may have contributed to Stone’s higher net worth compared to Parker.
Other Creative Projects
While both Matt Stone and Trey Parker are best known for their work on the hit animated series South Park, they have also pursued other creative projects outside of the show. These ventures have contributed to their individual net worths and have helped establish them as multi-talented creators in the entertainment industry.
Parker focuses mostly on South Park
Trey Parker has primarily focused on South Park throughout his career. As the co-creator of the show, he has dedicated a significant amount of his time and energy to its production. This intense focus on South Park has undoubtedly contributed to its success and longevity, but it has also limited Parker’s involvement in other creative endeavors.
While he has occasionally worked on other projects such as the film “Team America: World Police” and the Broadway musical “The Book of Mormon,” South Park remains his main creative outlet.
Stone explores projects like Book of Mormon musical
Matt Stone, on the other hand, has been more open to exploring other creative projects. One notable example is his collaboration with Robert Lopez to create the critically acclaimed Broadway musical “The Book of Mormon.”
The musical, which satirizes religion and tackles controversial topics, was a huge success and earned Stone a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical. Stone’s willingness to step outside of his comfort zone and take on projects beyond South Park has allowed him to showcase his versatility as a writer and producer.
Stone’s investments diversify his income sources
In addition to his creative projects, Matt Stone has also made strategic investments that have diversified his income sources. For example, he and Trey Parker co-founded the production company Important Studios, which has produced successful films like “South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut” and “Team America: World Police.”
Stone’s involvement in these ventures has not only allowed him to generate additional income but also to expand his influence in the entertainment industry.
Personal Investments and Assets
When it comes to personal investments and assets, Matt Stone’s worth surpasses that of his creative partner Trey Parker. While both individuals have achieved immense success through their work on South Park, Stone has managed to diversify his portfolio and make strategic investments that have significantly increased his net worth.
Real estate investments boost Stone’s worth
One of the key factors contributing to Stone’s higher net worth is his extensive real estate portfolio. Stone has made several lucrative investments in properties across the United States, including luxury homes and commercial spaces.
These real estate ventures have not only provided him with a steady stream of rental income but have also appreciated in value over time, further boosting his overall wealth.
In fact, according to Forbes, Stone’s real estate investments alone are estimated to be worth several million dollars. This demonstrates his shrewd financial acumen and the ability to leverage his success in the entertainment industry to build a diverse investment portfolio.
Philanthropic endeavors also differentiate the partners
Another aspect that sets Stone apart from Parker is his involvement in philanthropic endeavors. Stone has been actively involved in various charitable causes and has donated significant sums of money to organizations that focus on education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
Stone’s philanthropic efforts not only showcase his generosity but also serve as a means of giving back to society and making a positive impact. These initiatives not only benefit the communities they serve but also contribute to Stone’s overall reputation and public image.
Stone takes more calculated risks beyond show business
While both Stone and Parker have achieved tremendous success through their work on South Park, Stone has shown a propensity for taking calculated risks outside of the show business realm. He has ventured into other creative pursuits, such as writing and producing successful Broadway musicals like “The Book of Mormon.”
Additionally, Stone has dabbled in entrepreneurial ventures, including the creation of his own production company and the development of video games. These endeavors have not only expanded his revenue streams but have also allowed him to explore new avenues for creative expression and financial growth.
It’s important to note that while Stone may have a higher net worth than Parker, their partnership and collaboration on South Park have been integral to their collective success. Together, they have created a cultural phenomenon that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Conclusion
When looking at the personal fortunes of Matt Stone and Trey Parker, there are a few key factors that contribute to Stone having a higher net worth. Though they co-created South Park and split profits evenly, Stone has more side projects and prudent investments that Parker lacks.
He took risks getting involved with the smash hit musical Book of Mormon. He has also put money into more real estate and philanthropic ventures. While Parker focuses most of his efforts on South Park, Stone’s willingness to diversify his creative and financial pursuits has built his wealth to an estimated $700 million, about $100 million more than his partner Trey Parker.
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Samantha Lee is the founder and editor-in-chief of the Own Your Own Future blog. As a serial entrepreneur and business coach, Samantha is passionate about empowering people to build businesses and careers they love.
After struggling to find fulfilling work in the corporate world, Samantha started her first company at age 30. Through many ups and downs, she gained first-hand experience in creating a purpose-driven business aligned with her values.
Eager to help others find professional happiness on their own terms, Samantha launched the Own Your Own Future blog. She provides tips and interviews with entrepreneurs across industries to inspire readers to take the leap.
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