Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants



[ad_1]

The animator died Monday at the age of 57, Nickelodeon reportedly said.

Stephen Hillenburg, an animator who created the SpongeBob SquarePants character, died Monday at the age of 57, said Nickelodeon.

The American died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which had been diagnosed in March, the channel said in a statement. The disease of the nervous system weakens the muscles and affects the motor functions.

"He was a dear friend and a long-time creative partner of Nickelodeon," lamented the American broadcaster. "Steve conferred on Bob the sponge a unique sense of humor and innocence that has brought happiness to generations of children and families around the world." Your characters and the incredible world of Bikini Crevice will remain a reminder of values ​​like optimism, friendship and unlimited power of imagination, "reads further in the note.

Published since 1999, "SpongeBob SquarePants" is one of the most popular cartoons of recent years. The series featured more than 240 episodes and inspired two movies and a Broadway musical.

Hillenburg was a professor of marine biology before embarking on animation in the late 1980s. His work on "SpongeBob SquarePants" earned him two Emmys in 2010 and 2019, in addition to ten nominations. In February of this year, he also won an Annie Award, considered the Oscar for animation.

[ad_2]
Source link