Juan Schwartz

Early Life

Randolph Severn "Trey" Parker III was born in 1969 in Conifer, Colorado, to Sharon, an insurance saleswoman, and Randolph "Randy" Parker II, a geologist. Growing up, Parker was a shy child who excelled in honors classes and developed a passion for musical theatre, participating in community productions like *The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas* and *Grease*. His early influences included country music and Elton John, and he began writing funny songs after watching *This Is Spinal Tap*. After high school, he briefly attended Berklee College of Music before transferring to the University of Colorado Boulder, where he majored in film and Japanese.

Career

Parker's career took off in the early 1990s when he co-founded a production company and created *The Spirit of Christmas*, a short film that would lead to the creation of the iconic animated series *South Park*. He gained further recognition with the feature film *South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut* and the marionette film *Team America: World Police*. Alongside his collaborator Matt Stone, Parker co-wrote the Broadway musical *The Book of Mormon*, which received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. Parker's work is characterized by its satirical edge and musicality, showcasing his talent as a voice artist and songwriter.

Personal Life

Parker's personal life has seen its share of ups and downs. He married Emma Sugiyama in 2006, but the couple divorced in 2008. He later married Boogie Tillmon in 2014, with whom he has a daughter. The couple filed for divorce in 2019 but maintains an amicable co-parenting relationship. Parker is known for his candid views on religion, describing all religions as "silly" and expressing a belief in a higher power while critiquing religious narratives. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California, and owns properties in several locations, including Colorado and Hawaii.