10 Breakout TV Characters Who Went From Bit Parts To Series Regulars

Since 1997, South Park has consistently made us laugh (and internally weep) as co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone satirize America’s various moral panics.

Loosely based on co-producer Eric Stough and voiced by Stone, the blonde-tufted bundle of nerves known as 'Butters' originally debuted as an unnamed background character. The comedy duo fell in love with the easily-spooked student and, as of Season 3, the anxiety-stricken 4th grader graduated to a series regular, now with an official name: Leopold "Butters” Stotch.

In an interview with Junkee, Trey Parker confessed Butters was one of his and Stone's favorite characters: "To me and Matt, our favorite episodes are the ones where it’s just about, like, Cartman messing with Butters."

Not only was the naive child an instant fan-favorite, but the timid tagalong has also held other titles, including Professor Chaos, Mr. Biggles, and "fourth friend."

Twenty-two seasons and well over two decades later, the foil-covered supervillain has since become one of the most featured characters on South Park—though he has yet to create “worldwide chaos."