Eric Theodore Cartman is an American animated character on the television series South Park. He is 9 years old. Cartman is one of the most popular characters on the show, and has remained one of the most recognizable television characters ever since South Park became a hit during its first season. Cartman attends South Park Elementary as part of Mr. Garrison's fourth grade class. Cartman wears a red jacket, yellow gloves and a blue hat with a yellow puff ball on top, brown pants, black shoes, and white socks. He sometimes wears a green t-shirt with a bear picture on under his jacket.

Cartman is in denial of his obesity, often reasserting Liane's notion by exclaiming "I'm not fat, I'm big-boned!".
Cartman often shows less interest in sexuality than the other boys.

In the original, Unaired Pilot episode, Cartman was shown to have a father and sister, but these characters were cut out in the official pilot.

Kyle, who is Jewish, is often the recipient of the slander and anti-Semitic insults expressed by Cartman. The two have shared an enmity since the show's beginnings, and their rivalry has become significantly more pronounced as the series has progressed, with Cartman even routinely exposing Kyle to physical endangerment.

Cartman constantly teases Kenny for being poor, and derides Kenny's family for being on welfare.He will also use an awkward pause during a conversation as an opportunity to casually remind Kenny that he hates him.

Cartman is voiced by series co-creator Trey Parker, who is often requested to perform the character's voice when encountered by fans of the series.