Osama bin Laden was the founder and former leader of al-Qaeda and a major antagonist. Throughout the series, he has been portrayed as "completely insane". He was voiced by Trey Parker.
Background[]
He made his first appearance on the show in "Osama bin Laden Has Farty Pants", when The Boys go to Afghanistan, in order to return a goat given to them by Afghan children. The Boys are later taken by terrorists who tie them up as hostages before Osama bin Laden was introduced, recording a video threatening to kill the kids and goat. U. S. soldiers, believing the goat is Stevie Nicks, engage in a battle with al-Qaeda at Osama's hideout. The Afghan boys free our boys, but leave Cartman behind, insisting he knows how to deal with him. The two go through a long routine inspired by Warner Bros. shorts produced during World War II, Cartman humiliating him in several cartoonish ways, later leaving him dazed and defeated. A soldier then executes him.
Despite his apparent death in the previous episode, bin Laden reappeared in "Krazy Kripples" as a member of the Legion of Doom, but he does not have any lines. In the Cartoon Wars duology, bin Laden reappears using live-action footage from then-recently released videos, using subtitles to change his dialogue. He threatened great harm to America if Family Guy showed the holy Muslim prophet Muhammad, but ultimately after the prophet is shown, bin Laden, al-Zawahri, and al-Qaeda respond only with a video of Americans, President Bush and Jesus crapping on each other.
He later reappears as part of a class-action lawsuit against the town of South Park in "200" with other celebrities, though he does not talk. Not long after, he reappeared once more with a new, cleaned-up design in "It's a Jersey Thing". Randy Marsh sends him a video asking for help in defeating the Jerseys, playing the theme song for the show Jersey Shore to bin Laden. After South Park runs out of ammo, he responds with several al-Qaeda suicide bombers who destroyed the Jerseyites. Jersey pushed back, the entire town honors bin Laden - before a U.S. soldier takes him out, causing Randy to proclaim "We got him!"
Death[]
Just seven months after being shot in the head by a Paratrooper in "It's a Jersey Thing", Osama bin Laden was found and killed by U.S. Navy SEALs in Pakistan through a shot to the head on May 1, 2011. In another parallel, Randy's response in "It's a Jersey Thing" is identical to that given by Barack Obama ("We got him!"). "Funnybot" and "Royal Pudding" include many subtle references, including a sketch in Funnybot's writing room and Obama's speeches (though about Funnybot and later Tyler Perry) and in the latter, the response to Tooth Decay's death.
Appearance[]
Osama wore a white taqiyah, an oversized white robe, and a light gray shirt. He also had comically oversized ears, as well as an oversized nose, oversized lips, and small eyes.
Personality[]
Osama bin Laden was a terrorist, meaning that he was willing to use violence to cause death and destruction and spread fear for personal gain. He was shown to have a strongly Anti-American ideology which reflected in his various terrorist atrocities committed against the country. He is depicted as utterly insane and deranged, speaking in gibberish and being impervious to logic and reason.
Trivia[]
- Despite being against the use of Muhammad on Family Guy, he was among the celebrities planning to take his power of not being able to be made fun of in "200" and "201".
- Osama, along with all the other terrorists in South Park, never spoke in an actual foreign language. He was supposed to be speaking Arabic, but all his dialogue was only consisted of the words Muhammad, jihad, Ramadan, and gibberish including the word "derka." The dialogue was similar to the "Arabic" in Team America: World Police, a movie by Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Prominence[]
- "Osama bin Laden Has Farty Pants"
- "Krazy Kripples"
- "Cartoon Wars Part II" - (archive footage)
- "200" - Seen with the other celebrities suing South Park.
- "201" - Seen with the other celebrities suing South Park.
- "It's a Jersey Thing" - (final appearance; killed by a U.S soldier)
Criminal Celebrities |
Ayman al-Zawahiri • Bill Cosby • Charlie Manson • George Zimmerman • Jake Angeli • Jared Fogle • Jeffrey Dahmer • Jeffrey Epstein • John and Patricia Ramsey • John Wayne Gacy • Kanye West • O.J. Simpson • Osama bin Laden • Ted Bundy More Information: Criminal Celebrities |
Minor Characters from Season Five | |
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The Afghan Boys | Barbara Garthunk | Buddha | Carrie Quinn Dolan | Cher and Sonny Bono | David Blaine | Donald Trump | Drew Carey | Dr. Larry | Ed Sullivan | Enrique Iglesias | Excalibur Barker | Excalibur Sorcerer | Fleetwood Mac | Frank Fun | Gary Condit | Geldon | George W. Bush | Gloria Allred | GS-401 | IRS Agents | Jack Tenorman | Jada Pinkett Smith | John and Patricia Ramsey | The Knights of Standards and Practices | Kobe Bryant | Krishna | Kyle Schwartz | Lao Tse | Laura Bush | Madonna | Mr. Farnickle | Mr. Grazier | Mrs. Farnickle | Mrs. Tenorman | Muhammad | O.J. Simpson | Old Farmer | Osama bin Laden | Predator | Radiohead | Sam, David, and Chris | Scott and Tyler | Seaman | Snoop Dogg | Some Puerto Rican Guy | Stephen and Martha Thompson | Steven | Super Best Friends | Ted | Will Smith | Zytar More information: List of Minor Characters from Season Five | Season Five |