According to creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, when they were creating South Park, they were upset that "nowadays, it would be impossible to put a character like Archie Bunker on TV." But they thought that if he was a cartoon character, it might just be allowed. Hence, Cartman was born.

Cartman, who is often addressed by his last name, is spoiled, self-centered to the point of narcissism, foul-tempered, foul-mouthed, disloyal, cowardly, racist, bullying, and openly contemptuous of the few who can stand his company.

Perhaps his family life is to blame: his mother is a hermaphroditic porn-queen (but a very sweet mom all the same), his father is probably his mother, and all of his other relatives appear to have exactly the same temperament as Eric himself.

As the chubby antihero of the four lads, he was never intended to be the hero of the series, but within the first season he captured the popular imagination more than his three friends. The more outrageous his behavior, the more audiences seem to love him.

Cartman wears a light blue and yellow ski cap, a red jacket, yellow gloves, and brown pants. He has brown hair, which has been regularly seen since late in Season 5.