Eric Theodore Cartman is one of the main characters in the
animated television series
South Park, created by
Matt Stone and
Trey Parker, and voiced by Trey Parker. Cartman, generally referred to by his surname, is one of four central characters in
South Park, along with his friends
Stan Marsh,
Kyle Broflovski, and
Kenny McCormick. Cartman first appeared, originally named Kenny, in prototypical form in a 1992 animated short
Jesus vs. Frosty, and a 1995 animated short
Jesus vs. Santa, and first appeared on television in the
pilot episode of
South Park, "
Cartman Gets an Anal Probe", on August 13, 1997.