Randolph Severn Parker III [three, hence the nickname Trey] made the world a more shpadoinkle-y place on 19 October 1969. Born and raised in Conifer, Colorado, he is the youngest child of Randy and Sharon, with an older sister Shelley.

Trey attended West Jefferson Junior High and Evergreen High in Colorado. His unique sense of humor was apparent even as a teenager, as he was voted class clown at his school. In high school he made an album with pal David Goodman titled “Immature: A Collection of Love Ballads for the 80s Man” which showcased his humor as well as his musical talent.

Trey went to Berklee College of Music in Boston before transferring to the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he met Matt Stone. He was majoring in music, and with a goal to someday score films, Trey took classes to learn more about the film process. He made several animated shorts including "American History" which won a Student Academy Award, and "The Spirit of Christmas: Frosty vs. Jesus" with Matt.

Trey considered the idea of a feature length film about Alferd Packer, a Colorado miner who was the only person convicted of cannibalism in America. But plans were dismissed as Trey became pre-occupied -- he was engaged to marry his high school sweetheart in 1992. About a month before the big day, Trey discovered his fiancée was sleeping with another man. The wedding was called off.

Soon after, Trey revisited the idea of making the Alferd Packer film, and incorporated a storyline with the songs he had written while dealing with the break-up. A trailer was shot over the summer, and was used to help raise enough funds to shoot the film. “Alferd Packer, The Musical” [it was renamed "Cannibal! The Musical" when picked up in 1996 for distribution by Troma] began filming during spring break in 1993. Family, friends and fellow students all took part in the film. Students who participated received intern credit, except for Trey, who was kicked out due to excessive absences from working on the film.

Trey's college film caught the eye of Brian Graden, a then FoxLab executive. In 1995, Graden commissioned Trey and Matt to create a video Christmas card based on their animated college short. "The Spirit of Christmas: Jesus vs. Santa " was the result -- a five minute short that featured an uncensored Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny watching Jesus and Santa battle it out for ownership of the Yule holiday. One of the recipients of the video [rumored to be George Clooney] made several hundred copies, and the animation became a must-see passed around Hollywood and the internet.

That same year, Trey created a pilot for FoxLab called “Time Warped” -- a 'musical romp through time' featuring a story about Aaron and Moses. FoxLab felt the idea would work better as a children's show so a new pilot, “Rom & Jul” was made for FoxKids -- a Romeo & Juliet-esque story about a Homo Erectus and Australopithecus who fall in love despite the conflict between their species. FoxKids passed on the show.

Trey wrote, directed and starred in his second feature film "Orgazmo” in 1997, about a wholesome Mormon who becomes a celebrity in Los Angeles' adult film world. Due to the NC-17 rating given by the MPAA, it did not have a wide release.

Trey and Matt hooked up with Comedy Central to create a show based on the animated characters they created in college. Though it didn't test well with audiences, Comedy Central decided to pick it up for six episodes anyway. "South Park" made its debut on 13 August 1997, and has now gone on to be the highest rated original series in the network's history.

In 1998, Trey starred with Matt and college buddy Dian Bachar in "BASEketball,” directed by David Zucker of Airplane and Naked Gun fame. The story follows a group of friends who take their homemade game from neighborhood driveways to the professional sports world.

In the summer of 1999, Trey and Matt released their critically acclaimed feature length film, "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut," which was, naturally, a musical. “Blame Canada,” a song written by Trey and Marc Shaiman, was nominated for Best Song at the Academy Awards.

After a contract renegotiation in 2000, three more seasons were added to South Park and Trey and Matt had a deal to create a live action sitcom. In 2001, "That's My Bush!" premiered -- a sitcom that portrayed the Commander in Chief as the lovable main character. Due to the high cost and low ratings of the show, it ran for only eight episodes.

Another contract negotiation in 2003 gave South Park life through a ninth season, with an option to pick up a tenth.

"Team America : World Police," the most recent creation from the duo released in October 2004, is a 'puppet movie' inspired by the "Thunderbirds" about a special police force dedicated to saving the world from terrorists. Though the movie received favorable reviews, it also received criticism from the White House and douches like Sean Penn. During press interviews, Trey and Matt were extremely vocal about the toll the movie took on them. While the burn out was evident, the future of South Park and other projects was unclear.

As the end seemed near for South Park, Trey and Matt surprised fans in 2005. Instead of picking up the tenth season option on their current contracts, they renegotiated to extend through 2008. During a record high ratings season in 2007, South Park was yet again renewed to 2011 -- bringing South Park through its fifteenth season.

Also in 2005, Trey and Matt joined forces with Paramount to form a production company -- Important Pictures [formerly Trunity, a Mediar company, a division of True Mediar, a Unity Corpbopoly]. They are contracted to write, direct and produce features through 2008, including "My All-American" and "Giant Monsters Attack Japan!" Other projects include a possible stage musical with "Avenue Q" creators Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx.

Trey resides in the Los Angeles, CA area with his wife, Ema and is currently working on season 12 of South Park.

[ written for treyparker.info ]

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