Eric Cartman

Guide Note

Eric Cartman, more commonly known simply by his last name, Cartman, is the "fat kid" among the four main characters on the animated Comedy Central series, South Park. Racist, belligerent, selfish, foul-mouthed and outspoken, Cartman is, according to creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, an eight (or nine)-year old version of Archie Bunker for the 21st century.

Fast Facts

1. Age: 9
2. Birthday: February 4
3. Full name: Eric Theodore Cartman
4. Voiced by series co-creator Trey Parker
5. 10th on TV Guide's 2002 list of the 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time
6. On October 14, 2005, Comedy Central released the results of their "Cartman's 25 Greatest South Park Moments" poll

Cartman is the only child of the promiscuous single mother Liane Cartman. In a bizarre plot twist, it was revealed that Liane Cartman is a hermaphrodite, and therefore Eric Cartman’s father. The identity of Eric Cartman’s true mother remains a mystery.

Liane Cartman is a doting and indulgent parent, acquiescing to her son’s every whim and virtually waiting on him hand and foot. Liane Cartman suffers continual abuse from her son, but continues to facilitate his evil and selfish mannerisms.

Perhaps due in part to his dysfunctional upbringing, Cartman has manifested various signs of various personality disorders such as gender confusion, attention deficit disorder, anti-socialism and psychosis. Although he is often portrayed as somewhat of a social misfit, Cartman has displayed powerful leadership skills in several situations, proving himself able to strongly influence his peers and, at times, even his elders, to do his bidding.

Cartman has repeatedly proved himself to be extremely biased against virtually any minority group and has been at the forefront of several attempted genocidal movements. Evidently the only time Cartman becomes proactive is when his actions could reap him rewards or enact vengeance on his enemies.

"Dolphins, eskimos, who cares? It's all a bunch of tree hugging hippie crap."

"You see guys, this is why Jews can't be ninjas. They've got no spine."

"Kenny's family is so poor that yesterday, they had to put their cardboard box up for a second mortgage."

"I'm not fat, I'm festively plump."

"I used to think disabled people were here for my amusement."