The Creator Of Spongebob Has Passed Away

I’m a 90s kid, and as such, I was ALL about that era of Nickelodeon shows. “The Wild Thornberrys,” Rugrats,” “The Amanda Show,” “The Angry Beavers,” and of course, “SpongeBob Squarepants.”

Say what you want, but the old Spongebob is the best Spongebob. I’ll be honest: My sister and I catch ourselves quoting Spongebob lines IRL TO THIS DAY. No shame. We loved us some early 2000s Spongebob.

Needless to say, I’m not the only one who loved the show. It’s still on for a reason, but I’m sad to say that the creator, Stephen Hillenburg, has passed away.

💛 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

Via the Hollywood Reporter:

Hillenburg revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

According to his IMDB profile, Hillenburg was 57.

He told Variety at the time that he intended to work on his show “for as long as I am able.”

“SpongeBob SquarePants” has aired on Nickelodeon since 1999.

You will forever be missed..you created a television ICON! Rest in Peace.. pic.twitter.com/XptW0Bykoi

— Nintendo Surge (@NintendoSurge) November 27, 2018

pic.twitter.com/SEx0quMa0o

— Devon (@voneloso) November 27, 2018

pic.twitter.com/Djur2UjuM0

— 🍥 (@_highhtide) November 27, 2018

We are all Patrick today. 😢 pic.twitter.com/Vv9vOkaLyk

— Eileen (TeamPelosi) Conn 😎🖕🌊 (@milleronia) November 27, 2018

😢💔😔 pic.twitter.com/0hPelCYYhg

— ຸ (@AuroraEvalis) November 27, 2018

Just chatted with Tom Kenny, and the portrait he paints of Stephen Hillenburg is of a decent human being who was willing & able to fight the creative battles he had to in order to preserve his vision. An artist. The world needs more of that type of mild-mannered, joyful humanity. pic.twitter.com/mEIGYc2a6y

— Ken Plume (@KenPlume) November 27, 2018

RIP to a icon.