Since the first episode aired on Comedy Central, South Park has become a cult classic in the world of animation. The characters created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the show’s creators, are iconic and perfectly satirize our modern society. Cartoon Toi gives you a look at the characters of South Park, from the inseparable quartet—Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny—to the ordinary townspeople. Across the TV series, films, and even video games, discover heroes that have become pop culture icons.
The Main Characters
Stan Marsh
Stanley “Stan” Marsh is one of the four principal characters of the South Park TV series. He’s often considered the “normal kid” of the group, representing the average American child. Stan lives with his parents, Randy and Sharon, and his sister Shelly. He’s known for his common sense and ability to draw moral lessons at the end of some episodes, making him the group’s leader.
Starting in Season 15, however, Stan becomes more cynical and depressed, partly because of his family’s troubles. He’s also the boyfriend of Wendy Testaburger, though their relationship is often complicated.
Kyle Broflovski
Kyle Broflovski is the only Jewish kid in the main group. He’s frequently the target of Cartman’s antisemitic remarks, fueling their constant rivalry. Kyle is smart, moral, and often the most reasonable member of the group. He lives with his parents, Gerald and Sheila, and his adopted brother, Ike. Stan and Kyle are close friends, though their relationship is sometimes tested by Cartman’s actions and other happenings in the show.
Eric Cartman
Eric Theodore Cartman, often just Cartman, is one of the most iconic characters in South Park. Overweight, he’s known for being a manipulator with extreme views, particularly antisemitism. Cartman lives with his mother, Liane, and often comes up with diabolical schemes that usually fail. Fans of South Park love Cartman for his memorable lines and his dark humor.
Kenny McCormick
Kenny McCormick is the kid in the orange parka that covers his face and muffles his speech. He comes from a poor family and, in the early seasons, dies in a grotesque manner almost every episode, spawning the famous line “Oh my God, they killed Kenny!” Despite his hardships, Kenny is loyal and brave, frequently willing to sacrifice himself for his friends. His recurring deaths have become a staple of the series.
Their Friends and Classmates
Butters Stotch
Leopold “Butters” Stotch is one of the show’s most naive and optimistic characters. He is often manipulated by his friends, especially Cartman, and frequently punished by his strict father, Stephen Stotch. Butters is also known for his supervillain alter ego, “Professor Chaos,” which he adopts after being rejected by his friends. Despite his misfortunes, Butters remains lovable and innocent, adding a note of sweetness to the series.
Token Black
Token Black is one of the show’s few African American characters. He comes from a wealthy family, unlike most of his classmates. Token is intelligent, talented, and plays bass in Stan’s band. Though he’s sometimes the butt of racist jokes, he remains strong and is respected by his classmates.
Wendy Testaburger
Wendy Testaburger is the show’s main female figure. Smart and mature, she’s often involved in social or feminist causes. Wendy is romantically linked to Stan, and she’s known for her strong character and firm stances. She’s also one of the top students at South Park Elementary.
Bebe Stevens
Bebe Stevens is one of Wendy’s best friends. She’s often at the center of school gossip and is viewed as very confident—sometimes a bit superficial. Bebe is among the first girls in her class to show an interest in boys, adding humor to her relationships with others.
Tweek Tweak
Tweek Tweak is a highly nervous, paranoid kid. He’s constantly drinking coffee, making him even more anxious. When Kenny isn’t around, Tweek becomes the fourth friend in the group. He’s also dating Craig Tucker.
Craig Tucker
Craig Tucker attends South Park Elementary and is known for his blasé attitude and frequent middle finger gestures. He’s Tweek Tweak’s best friend, and we learn more about their bond in the more recent seasons. Craig is stoic but loyal.
Timmy Burch
Timmy Burch is a disabled boy who uses a wheelchair and speaks very little, but he doesn’t let it hold him back. He’s always happy and full of courage, often hanging out with his friend Jimmy Valmer. Everyone loves Timmy’s fighting spirit and his constant smile, even when times are tough.
Their Families
Randy and Sharon Marsh
Randy and Sharon Marsh are Stan and Shelley’s parents. Randy, a geologist, frequently ends up in strange and funny situations, making him one of the most beloved adult characters among South Park fans. He’s quite eccentric and has tried multiple ventures, including his marijuana farm, Tegridy Farms. Sharon is more grounded, often bringing everyone back to reality. Despite their various marital issues, they stay united in helping their kids.
Gerald and Sheila Broflovski
Gerald and Sheila Broflovski are Kyle and Ike’s parents. Gerald, a lawyer, often gets involved in community issues, while Sheila, an outspoken activist, is always ready to protest what she deems unjust. Deeply attached to their Jewish faith, they care a lot about their children’s upbringing. They’re extremely protective—especially Sheila, who doesn’t hesitate to engage with the community to uphold her beliefs. Despite small disagreements, they remain a tight-knit family, showing a lot of love at home.
Liane Cartman
Liane Cartman is Eric Cartman’s single mother. She far too often indulges her son’s whims, contributing to Cartman’s obnoxious personality. Liane had a pretty turbulent life, especially in the show’s early seasons, but at heart she’s a loving mother who does anything to make her son happy. Over time, she starts taking on more responsibility and becomes less lenient.
The McCormicks
The McCormicks are Kenny’s parents and siblings. The family lives in poverty, frequently the butt of jokes in the series. Despite their financial hardships, the McCormicks are a close-knit family. Stuart, the father, and Carol, the mother, are often shown as loving parents overwhelmed by life’s challenges.
The School Staff
Mr. Garrison
Mr. Herbert Garrison is a teacher at South Park Elementary and quite eccentric, as he’s gone through multiple transformations. He has been portrayed as a man, a woman, and even the President of the United States in the series. Garrison is no stranger to controversy, frequently voicing racist or homophobic opinions despite his own shifting sexual orientations. Over-the-top, fans love him for his absurdities.
Mr. Mackey
Mr. Mackey is the elementary school counselor with a massive head who ends every sentence with “M’kay.” He’s always trying to solve the students’ problems, but his methods are sometimes ineffective or clumsy. While well-intentioned, he’s frequently overwhelmed, making his character rather funny in school scenarios.
Principal Victoria
Principal Victoria heads South Park Elementary. She’s laid-back but knows how to be strict when necessary. She has to manage the many crises that pop up at the school, often caused by students or staff. She represents sanity amid the chaos, earning everyone’s respect for her ability to maintain order.
The Town Authorities
Chef
Chef was the school cafeteria cook and a confidant for the boys. With his deep voice and cool style, he was almost a father figure to them, offering advice on countless topics. Chef also loved funk music and had quite the romantic life. Sadly, he left the series after the death of his original voice actor, Isaac Hayes, in 2006.
Officer Barbrady
Officer Barbrady is the city’s incompetent policeman, far from adept at his job. He’s determined to keep the peace, but usually fails. His unique laugh and knack for messing up even the simplest investigations make him hilarious. He represents the comedic side of law enforcement in the series.
Mayor McDaniels
Mayor McDaniels runs South Park but is often overwhelmed by the bizarre events happening in town. She tries to maintain some semblance of order, though the residents and occasional supernatural occurrences make it tough. She frequently appears to demonstrate just how absurd life can be in South Park.
Secondary Characters
Terrance and Phillip
Terrance and Phillip are two Canadian kids who show up regularly on the show. Fans love their crude jokes and toilet humor (lots of fart jokes). They’re known for their tasteless pranks, but their silly style is quite funny, poking fun at Canadian stereotypes as well.
Big Gay Al
Big Gay Al is an openly gay character who works as a scout leader for kids. He often features in LGBTQ+ storylines, advocating acceptance and tolerance. He’s both entertaining and heartwarming, challenging stereotypes and prejudices.
Jimbo Kern
Jimbo Kern is a hunter and firearms enthusiast in South Park. He often goes on adventures with his friend Ned Gerblansky. Though sometimes extreme, Jimbo is popular for his love of nature and odd sense of humor. He also reflects a segment of American culture strongly attached to firearms.
Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo
Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo, is a recurring character introduced in a Christmas special. He’s basically a living piece of poop, who despite his gross appearance is always cheerful and kindhearted. He even delivers presents to children every Christmas.
The Villains
Satan
Satan, the ruler of Hell, starts out as a classic villain but sometimes appears in a more sympathetic light as episodes progress. He’s often central to stories involving the supernatural and religion, giving him a unique role in the series.
Scott Tenorman
Scott Tenorman is an extremely mean, cruel kid who becomes Cartman’s arch-enemy after Cartman experiences a series of traumatic events. Scott is the type of villain who keeps coming back, embodying revenge and manipulation. His over-the-top schemes make him one of the show’s most memorable antagonists.
The Super Best Friends
The Super Best Friends are a superhero group like no other, comprising religious figures like Jesus, Buddha, and Krishna. They battle evil and add an interesting take on religion and spirituality. Although sometimes portrayed as antagonists, their role is more nuanced, challenging beliefs and preconceived notions.
Caricatured Celebrities
Mecha Streisand
Mecha Streisand is a giant robot resembling the singer Barbra Streisand, appearing in the Mecha Streisand episode (Season 1, Episode 12). This mechanical monster destroys South Park after being hurt by the townspeople’s insults.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck appeared in the episode Fat Butt and Pancake Head (Season 7, Episode 5), where the kids write fictional celebrity biographies to win a contest. Affleck is depicted as a tortured artist.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson appears in The Jeffersons (Season 8, Episode 6), where the kids suspect he’s a pedophile and attempt to expose him. He’s portrayed as an eccentric figure obsessed with children.
P Diddy
P. Diddy appears in Douche and Turd (Season 8, Episode 8), where he accidentally kidnaps Butters and treats him like his own son. He’s portrayed as an eccentric surrogate father figure.
Kanye West
Kanye West features in the Fishsticks episode (Season 13, Episode 5), where Jimmy writes a joke about him that goes viral. He’s depicted as arrogant and quick to anger.
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse appears in the episode The Ring (Season 13, Episode 1), where the boys suspect that dolls are evil agents. Mickey is portrayed as a sinister leader of the dolls.