The creator of SpongeBob Squarepants, Stephen Hillenburg, passed away today at age 57 and we have literally lost a legend of fun memories.
After Marvel’s Stan Lee passed away earlier this month, out heart is literally choked to hear that Stephen Hillenburg has passed away. Stephen Hillenburg is the person behind every 90s’ kids childhood memories. We bet every 90s’ child grew up watching SpongeBob SquarePants and the news of his heavenly abode is heart wrenching.
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Stephen Hillenburg died at age 57 after battling with a rare disease ALS(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) since 2017.
The news broke on Wednesday when Nickelodeon posted a tweet announcing his death.
? We are sad to share the news of the passing of Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants. Today, we are observing a moment of silence to honor his life and work. ?
— Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) November 27, 2018
SpongeBob SquarePants was one of the greatest animated shows of all times that aired on Nickelodeon in 1999. He directed, produced, and wrote SpongeBob SquarePants which went down in the history as the highest-rated show ever to air on Nickelodeon.
Hillenburg was an undergrad in natural resource planning and interpretation and a marine biology teacher before making his name unforgettable in the world of animated series. while teaching at the Orange County Marine Institute (now the Ocean Institute) in Dana Point, California, he realized that animation is at boom and he is interested to learn about it.
Being a bachelor degree holder from Northern California’s Humboldt State University in 1984, he enrolled himself for animation course. He took an extensive five years graduate course at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia in 1987. He finished with a degree in experimental animation.
Hillenburg started his career in the world of animation in 1993. He started writing and directing for Nickelodeon. When Martin Olson, a writer on Rocko’s Modern Life appreciated Hillenburg’s creativity about his comic drawing and writing about tide pools, it inspired him and then SpongeBob SquarePants was born.
“It got me thinking, ‘If I were to do a show, it would be about these invertebrates and these crazy animals that exist in the ocean,’ ” Hillenburg recalled. “It was that moment that said, ‘Maybe I should pursue this.’ “
Spongebob SquarePants was aired in 1999 which won multiple awards and was nominated nine-time for Emmy. Unfortunately, Hillenburg did not won any Emmy. SpongBob also went on to become big screen adaption –The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie(2004) and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water(2015).
Being a former marine biologist, Stephen Hillenburg knew the importance of ocean and it’s living beings. He did literally put life to each of his SpongeBob SquarePants’ character. He created an awareness among the kids and elders about ocean and it’s environmental impact.
“People have to get together and [realize] how important our oceans are,” said Hillenburg, who stayed on with the show after announcing his ALS in March 2017. “One thing I’m hoping [will] come out of [a ‘SpongeBob’] documentary is the realization that the show came from something that’s precious and that we need to appreciate it. It takes care of us.”
“Hopefully, if you watch ‘SpongeBob,’ “ Hillenburg added, you’ll want to “take care of our oceans.”
Stephen Hillenburg’s innocent but not stupid character with an unusual sense of humor made kids and families sit together and laugh.
SpongeBob Squarepants will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2019.
As the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants – Stephen Hillenburg is no more to tickle us with his sense of humor animated series, we cannot thank him enough for making our childhood days amazing, may you Rest In Peace.
Fans pay tribute to ‘SpongeBob’ creator Stephen Hillenburg on social media
Spongebob's weird humor probably did more to influence this generation's love of absurdity more than any other show and it's that weirdness that keeps us going through these dark times. Rest in peace, Stephen Hillenburg. pic.twitter.com/VXgYFaYbGT
— Sam Sykes (@SamSykesSwears) November 27, 2018
We're saddened to hear that Stephen Hillenburg, creator of SpongeBob SquarePants, has passed away. A former marine biologist, Stephen brought laughter, joy, and a love for ocean creatures (real and animated) to millions of people around the world. He will be truly missed. pic.twitter.com/IeVDNTTZ6y
— MUTTS (@MUTTScomics) November 27, 2018
Stephen Hillenburg, thank you for everything… #Spongebob pic.twitter.com/dxD9Bpk4vb
— ??✨Agatre ? (@_gatre) November 27, 2018
Spongebob really felt radical, a show with such an offbeat, absurd sense of humor that was all informed by… kindness and optimism??? A cartoon that my whole family young & old would watch together & laugh, & the characters… CARED about each other?! R.I.P Stephen Hillenburg
— Patti Harrison (@Party_Harderson) November 27, 2018
This really hit me hard ?The creator of Spongebob Squarepants, Stephen Hillenburg, passed away today at age 57. Thank you for making our childhoods amazing, may you Rest In Peace ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2GikLj5N8T
— Rug (@FaZeRug) November 27, 2018
Spongebob was and is still my favorite cartoon. RIP Stephen Hillenburg and thank you so much for sharing your incredible idea to the world.
— Ninja (@Ninja) November 27, 2018
The quality of the first three seasons of Spongebob are to blame for it’s decades-long cultural relevance. Stephen Hillenburg created a broad, optimistic universe without sacrificing any of his absurd sensibility, giving us art that could be loved and understood commonly. Tragic.
— Gabriel Gundacker (@gabegundacker) November 27, 2018
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