Trey and Matt first crossed paths with Stough in the film department at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where his animation skills caught their attention. They enlisted him to craft the original “South Park” short, “The Spirit of Christmas,” a project that laid the groundwork for the iconic series. Despite initial hesitations about adult animation, as Stough preferred creating Disney-like films with talking animals, he eventually joined the team, earning a nickname derived from “Buddy.” Frank Agnone, a supervising producer on “South Park,” praised Stough’s invaluable role, emphasizing his integral connection with Parker and Stone.

Butters is not the only character inspired by real life. Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s personal experiences provided the foundation for several main characters. Stan Marsh, voiced by Parker, was conceived as a younger version of himself, while Kyle Broflovski, portrayed by Stone, reflected a youthful Stone. Over time, both creators found themselves identifying more with the character Eric Cartman. Moreover, the families depicted in the series closely mirror those of Parker and Stone, including their names. For instance, Stan’s parents, Randy and Sharon, share names and professions with Parker’s own parents, and Kyle’s parents, Gerald and Sheila, are named after Stone’s real-life family.

Other characters also draw from the creators’ real-life connections. Mr. Mackey, for instance, was inspired by Parker’s school counselor, Mr. Lackey, who played a pivotal role in Parker’s interest in voice work. Similarly, Mr. Garrison is based on a college professor of Parker’s. As Parker has noted, every “South Park” character bears a resemblance to someone from his or Stone’s lives.

Butters wasn’t the first character borrowed from Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s real life Rolodex by a long shot. “South Park” main characters Kyle and Stan were created as the on-screen counterparts of Trey and Matt. Stan Marsh (played by Parker) was originally meant to be the child version of Trey Parker, while Stan’s best buddy Kyle Broflovski (played by Stone) was meant to be the child version of Matt Stone, although eventually, the pair realized they both resonated more with Eric Cartman’s persona. Likewise, the boys’ families in the series are inspired by the “South Park” creators’ real families right down their names. Parker’s real-world parents are geologist Randy Parker and insurance broker Sharon Parker just like Stan’s parents Randy (Parker) and Sharon (Mary Kay Bergman, Eliza Schneider, and April Stewart), and his sister’s name is Shelley, like Stan’s on-screen sis (also played by Bergman, Schneider, and Stewart). And just as Kyle’s parents are Gerald (played by Stone) and Sheila (Mona Marshall and Bergman), Matt Stone’s real-world parents are Gerald Stone and Sheila Belasco. 

Mr. Mackey (Parker) was inspired by Parker’s real-life school counselor, a man by the name of Mr. Lackey who Parker says was the inspiration for his decision to start doing voices as a kid. Similarly, Mr. Garrison (also Parker) is based on one of Parker’s college professors. In fact, Parker has said that every “South Park” character has some basis in real life.