'South Park' creators' net worth: How Matt Parker and Trey Stone built a $1 billion empire and how they spend their wealth

Sun, 07/30/2023 - 04:30

Matt Stone and Trey Parker arrives ahead of The Book of Mormon opening night at Princess Theatre on February 4, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. — Matt Stone and Trey Parker in 2017.
Chris Hopkins/Getty Images

The "South Park" creators have built up a billion-dollar empire from their long-running cartoon.
Trey Parker and Matt Stone have struck two nine-figure deals for streaming rights to "South Park."
Here's how they've spent some of their cash on ventures such as a restaurant in Colorado.

"South Park" fans might be tempted to associate its creators with the cartoonish, crude universe their pre-teen characters reside in.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone are nothing of the sort, however. They're responsible for creating one of the most successful and lucrative franchises in TV history.

They've written the show and effectively voiced every character in the "South Park" universe for 26 seasons. They've written a hugely popular, filthy Broadway musical in the form of "The Book of Mormon." They also own a restaurant in Colorado and may even launch a weed business.

Here's how they built a billion-dollar empire – and how they've spent their cash.

"South Park" premiered in 1997 on Comedy Central. It initially had poor reviews, but became hugely popular with the 26th season airing this year.

south park comedy central — Comedy Central

Source: Emmys

In 2011 Trey Parker and Matt Stone's musical called "The Book of Mormon" made its Broadway debut.

Source: Forbes

It went on to become a smash hit and win several Tony awards, with productions in cities including London and Melbourne. In 2013 Forbes reported that Parker and Stone were making $19 million a month from the show.

But the biggest reward for Parker and Stone was always going to come from "South Park."

Source: Variety

In 2018, Warner Media swooped in with a five-year $500 million deal to put the show on the HBO Max streaming platform (now known as Max) and taking it away from ViacomCBS.

That deal made the rights to "South Park" even more valuable.

Jakub Porzycki/Getty Images

In 2021 Parker and Stone signed a huge six-year deal worth $900 million with ViacomCBS to create new shows and movies for Paramount+.

Source: Bloomberg

The deals have been the source of controversy.

Source: CNN, Variety

In February, Warner Bros. Discovery sued Paramount for breaching its $500 million licensing deal for "South Park" by putting specials on Paramount+. Paramount countersued in April.

The pair have made two films. "South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut" was released in 1999.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone in 1999 — Robin Platzer/Getty Images

Source: BoxOfficeMojo

The film made $83 million globally, while "Team America: World Police" followed five years later and took about $50 million.

The pair negotiated a $600 million credit line from HPS Investment Partners, which valued their library at $1 billion, Bloomberg reported in 2021.

FILE PHOTO: South Park creators Matt Stone (R) and Trey Parker pose for a photo in New York March 18, 2011. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi — Matt Stone and Trey Parker pose for a photo in New York
Reuters

Source: Bloomberg

They planned to develop 3D video games and "deep fake" technology with the cash.

Parker and Stone also bought Casa Bonita, the Denver restaurant that appeared in a season 8 episode of "South Park."

The front of the Casa Bonita restaurant, a tall pink and white tower with a central fountain surrounded by trees — Hyoung Chang/Getty Images

Source: Insider, Bloomberg

Stone told Bloomberg in 2021 it was Parker's dream to revamp the Mexican-themed restaurant.

But it's not been without controversy, with Parker and Stone causing uproar among staff after they abolished tipping last month.

There are even plans to turn another idea from the show into reality.

Source: Bloomberg

Stone told Bloomberg the pair were planning to start a weed business inspired by Tegridy Farms, the distributor set up by Randy Marsh in the 22nd season.

Parker also owns a ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado that has a Japanese aesthetic, inspired by his time studying the language at college.

This image was taken in Steamboat Springs Ski Resort after sunset — Getty Images

Source: Architectural Digest

Parker also bought a seven-bedroom mansion in Los Angeles for almost $14 million in 2013.

Source: Insider

In May, a Venice Beach home once owned by Stone went on the market for $6.5 million.

Beach front houses on Venice Beach area in Los Angeles on July 10, 2016 in Los Angeles, California, United State — Frédéric Soltan/Corbis via Getty Images

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

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'South Park' creators' net worth: How Matt Parker and Trey Stone built a $1 bil…