SPONGEBOB CREATOR, ‘BELOVED FRIEND’
Stephen Hillenburg, who LOS ANGELES created SpongeBob SquarePants and the absurd undersea world he inhabited, has died at age 57, Nickelodeon said.
Hillenburg died Monday of Lou Gehrig ’s disease, also known as ALS. Hillenburg announced he had the disease in March 2017.
An Oklahoma native with a love of both drawing and marine biology, Hillenburg conceived, wrote, produced and directed the animated series that began in 1999 and went on to spawn hundreds of episodes, movies and a Broadway show.
“He was a beloved friend and longtime creative partner to everyone at Nickelodeon, and our hearts go out to his entire family,” Nickelodeon said. “Steve imbued SpongeBob SquarePants with a unique sense of humour and innocence that has brought joy to generations of kids and families everywhere.”