‘SpongeBob’ creator Stephen Hillenburg dies of ALS at 47

Nov. 27 (UPI) — Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants, died less than two years after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Nickelodeon announced Tuesday. He was 57.

Hillenburg died Monday.

“We are incredibly saddened by the news that Steve Hillenburg has passed away following a battle with ALS,” said Nickelodeon, which produces SpongeBob. “He was a beloved friend and long-time creative partner to everyone at Nickelodeon, and our hearts go out to his entire family. Steve imbued SpongeBob SquarePants with a unique sense of humor and innocence that has brought joy to generations of kids and families everywhere. His utterly original characters and the world of Bikini Bottom will long stand as a reminder of the value of optimism, friendship and the limitless power of imagination.”

Hillenburg announced his ALS diagnosis in March 2017, saying he planned to continue working on the cartoon “for as long as I am able.”

Hillenburg was born Aug. 21, 1961, at the U.S. Army post Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla. He graduated from Humboldt State University in 1984 with a degree in natural resource planning and interpretation with an emphasis on marine resources. He was a marine biology teacher at the Orange County Marine Institute in Dana Point, Calif., and used his drawing skills to illustrate stories and teaching tools.

In 1992, he earned a degree in experimental animation at the California Institute of Arts in Valencia. He was a director and writer for Nickelodeon’s Rocko’s Modern Life.

Hillenburg created SpongeBob SquarePants in 1999. The series includes nearly 250 episodes over its 19-year run on the children’s network and features the voices of Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass and Clancy Brown.

Multiple feature and television films also have been produced, including the forthcoming It’s a Wonderful Sponge.

Nickelodeon said it planned to observe a moment of silence Tuesday “to honor his life and work.”

Hillenburg is survived by his wife, Karen Hillenburg, son Clay Hillenburg and mother Nancy Hillenburg.