Spongebob Creator Dead at 57

The creator of the hit Nickelodeon cartoon series “SpongeBob SquarePants,”  Stephen Hillenburg, passed away on Monday at 57 years old. Hillenburg had been suffering with ALS, which he had been diagnosed with in March of 2017.

“We are incredibly saddened by the news that Steve Hillenburg has passed away following a battle with ALS,” Nickelodeon said in a statement. “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.”

Steve is survived by his wife of 20 years Karen Hillenburg, son Clay, mother Nancy Hillenburg (nee Dufour) and brother Brian Kelly Hillenburg, his wife Isabel, and nieces Emma and Hazel.

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Photo Credit: Alexander Oganezov / Shutterstock.com