Matt Stone: The Multitalented Creator Behind South Park

How Much Is Matt Stone Worth?

Meet Matt Stone, the American actor, writer, producer, and animator whose net worth is a staggering $700 million. Matt made his fortune as the co-creator of the long-running Comedy Central hit series "South Park." Back in 1997, he teamed up with his college buddy Trey Parker to create this groundbreaking show, which has since become a pop culture phenomenon. The two have been a dynamic duo, working on countless projects together, including movies like "Cannibal! The Musical" (1993), "Orgazmo" (1997), "BASEketball" (1998), "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" (1999), and "Team America: World Police" (2004). They also created the popular Comedy Central series "That's My Bush!" in 2001 and the web series "Sassy Justice" in 2020.

One of Matt and Trey's biggest achievements is the Tony-winning Broadway musical "The Book of Mormon," which has raked in over $500 million from ticket sales, merchandise, and other sources. Matt's versatility shines through his voice work on "South Park," where he brings characters like Kyle Broflovski, Kenny McCormick, and Butters Stotch to life. He also lent his voice to characters in "Team America: World Police." Matt's acting credits include roles in "Cannibal! The Musical," "Orgazmo," and "BASEketball," as well as appearances in "Run Ronnie Run!" and "Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo." He's not just in front of the camera either—he's been a producer on numerous Parker-Stone projects, including the Canadian TV series "Kenny vs. Spenny" and MTV's "How's Your News?"

2021 ViacomCBS Deal: A Game-Changer

In August 2021, Matt and Trey sealed a massive six-year, $900 million deal with ViacomCBS. This agreement ensures that the dynamic duo will continue to produce new seasons of "South Park" and deliver 14 exclusive movies for the streaming service Paramount+. This move not only solidifies their place in the entertainment industry but also guarantees fans more of the sharp-witted humor they've come to love.

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Early Beginnings: Growing Up in Colorado

Matt Stone was born Matthew Richard Stone on May 26, 1971, in Houston, Texas. He spent most of his childhood in Littleton, Colorado, alongside his mother Sheila, father Gerald (an economics professor), and younger sister Rachel. Interestingly, Sheila and Gerald's names later inspired Kyle Broflovski's parents on "South Park." Matt attended Heritage High School and later enrolled at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he majored in mathematics and film, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1993. It was during his college years that he met Trey Parker in a film class, sparking a creative partnership that would change both their lives forever. Together, they began crafting short films such as "Man on Mars" and "First Date," which laid the foundation for their future success.

Launching a Career: From Short Films to Global Fame

In 1992, Matt and Trey founded the production company Avenging Conscience with friends Jason McHugh and Ian Hardin. Their early work included the short film "Jesus vs. Frosty," also known as "The Spirit of Christmas." This film marked the first appearance of the iconic characters who would later become Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Kenny McCormick, and Eric Cartman. Another short, "Jesus vs. Santa," further developed these characters and caught the attention of Comedy Central executive Doug Herzog, who encouraged them to turn it into a full-fledged series.

Matt and Trey moved to Hollywood after graduation, but the early years were tough despite having an agent, lawyer, and script deal. However, their perseverance paid off when they created "Orgazmo," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 1997 and was eventually picked up by October Films for $1 million. Their big break came when producer Brian Graden saw "Jesus vs. Frosty" and asked them to create a video greeting card. The resulting "Jesus vs. Santa" impressed Comedy Central's Doug Herzog, who commissioned them to develop it into a series. The pilot cost $300,000 to produce, and Comedy Central's marketing efforts generated around $30 million in t-shirt sales before the show even aired. To date, "South Park" has aired over 300 episodes across 23 seasons, spawning a feature film, music albums, and video games.

In 2002, Matt and Trey embarked on the ambitious project "Team America: World Police," an R-rated puppet film they co-wrote and co-produced. While it was a challenging experience for Matt, it paved the way for their next venture, "The Book of Mormon," a collaboration with writer-composer Robert Lopez. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2011 and went on to win nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In 2013, they launched Important Studios, a production company that allowed them to take full creative control over their projects.

A Lucrative Digital Deal

Back in 2007, when Matt and Trey's contract with Comedy Central was up for renewal, they struck a deal that would prove to be incredibly lucrative. This agreement gave them the rights to create a digital hub for all things "South Park," including streaming episodes. Most importantly, it granted them a 50% cut of all ad revenue generated by the show, whether digital or broadcast. As a result, Matt and Trey earn an estimated $25-30 million per year each from the show's broadcast on Comedy Central. They also receive a 50% share whenever the show is sold into syndication, such as when Hulu paid $198 million for the streaming rights or when South Park's streaming rights were valued at $500 million.

The Genius Behind the Contract

How did they land such a sweet deal? It all started with a loophole in their original 1997 contract with Comedy Central. At the time, no one could have foreseen the immense value of digital rights. However, Matt, Trey, and their forward-thinking lawyer included a clause that ensured the creators would receive a 50% cut of any revenue generated outside the actual show's television broadcast. For two decades, this clause seemed insignificant, but with the rise of platforms like YouTube, it became a goldmine. Viacom attempted to challenge the clause, but Matt and Trey successfully retained their rights, allowing them to distribute the show digitally as they saw fit. By making episodes available for free online, they earned millions in digital ad revenue. Their biggest windfall came when Hulu paid $192 million for four years of streaming rights, netting Matt and Trey around $50 million each.

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Merchandise and Syndication: A Lucrative Revenue Stream

Viacom/Comedy Central secured a significant share of merchandise rights from the outset, reportedly up to 90%. While this percentage may have been renegotiated in recent contracts, the exact terms remain undisclosed. Despite this, Matt and Trey continue to benefit from the show's immense popularity through syndication deals and streaming rights.

Personal Life: Family and Beliefs

Matt met Comedy Central executive Angela Howard in 2001, and the couple tied the knot in 2008. They now have two children. Known for poking fun at religion in their work, Matt describes himself as an atheist.

Awards and Recognition: Celebrating Success

Stone has been nominated for 18 Primetime Emmys for "South Park," 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. He also received a CableACE Award for Animated Programming Special or Series and a PGA Award for Most Promising Producer in Television. "The Book of Mormon" brought home nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score, as well as a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. Stone's accolades extend to the video game "South Park: The Stick of Truth," which earned him a NAVGTR Award for Writing in a Comedy, and "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut," which garnered an MTV Movie Award for Best Musical Performance.

Real Estate: Matt's Luxurious Properties

In 2005, Matt purchased a 3,000-square-foot home in Venice, California, for $3.5 million, which he listed for sale in January 2020 at $4.5 million. He also owns a smaller property nearby, bought in 2003 for $800,000. In 2008, he spent $5.15 million on an entire floor of a New York City building, selling it in April 2019 for $6.15 million. These investments reflect his savvy approach to wealth management and his appreciation for luxury living.