Stanley "Stan" Marsh is a main character in the animated television series
South Park. He is voiced by and loosely based on series co-creator
Trey Parker. Stan is one of the show's four central characters, along with his friends
Kyle Broflovski,
Kenny McCormick and
Eric Cartman. He debuted on television when
South Park first aired on August 13, 1997, after having first appeared in
The Spirit of Christmas shorts created by Parker and long-time collaborator
Matt Stone in 1992 (
Jesus vs. Frosty) and 1995 (
Jesus vs. Santa).