[7][11] Hillenburg said in 2012, "I hope to get [the film] done. [24] Nickelodeon approved and gave Hillenburg money to produce the show. [65] In 2003, during the production of The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, his mentor Jules Engel died at the age of 94. [12] Its popularity has made it a media franchise, which is the most-distributed property of MTV Networks. [5][31] Hillenburg formerly resided in Hollywood[31][59] and in Pasadena,[6][19] and he lived with his family in San Marino, California,[107][108] until his death. [88] The incident prompted questions as to whether SpongeBob is gay. [93], In 1998,[94] Hillenburg formed United Plankton Pictures Inc., a television and film production company, which produces SpongeBob SquarePants and related media. share. All they do is sucking out the fun and give Spongebob fans a bad name. The first episode aired on Nickelodeon on May 1, 1999 and the series commenced its full run on July 17 of that year. [62], In 2002, Hillenburg halted production of the show after the third season was completed to focus on the making of The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie which was released in 2004:[63] "I don't want to try and do a movie and the series at the same time. [7] During a few summers after finishing high school, he worked as a fry cook and lobster boiler[15] at a fast-food seafood restaurant[4] in Maine. Support Cartoon Brew for as little as $1 a week — the process is fast and easy. And I thought now was a good time to step aside and look at a different project. [76] During the fourth season, Tibbitt took on voicing for Potty,[77] while Andrea Romano replaced the two as the voice director. Fact #2: The first “SpongeBob SquarePants Movie” was released in November 2004 and it took 11 years before it was followed by another sequel: “SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water.” Fact #3: According his driver’s license, SpongeBob was born in … It takes forever." "[12][70] "We're working on episodes 40 through 60 right now, and I always looked at that as a typical run for an animated show. [103] Health accounts for most of their grantmaking;[108] they had gifted to Planned Parenthood (where Karen is member of the board of directors as of 2014[update][113]) and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, among other national health organizations. When you set out to do a show about a sponge, you can't anticipate this kind of craze. On July 17, 2019, the series was renewed for its thirteenth season. [108], In education, they donated to schools, including the Polytechnic School in Pasadena (which their son attended), CalArts, and Humboldt State University. In addition to the TV series, Steve wrote both hit 'SpongeBob' feature films. "[124], American animator and creator of the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, Hillenburg in 2011, presenting the original, "I've always been interested in art and making things, but I chose not to go to art school because I thought I needed to do something else. During the halftime show for Super Bowl LIII, the performing band Maroon 5 arranged to use a clip from the SpongeBob episode "Band Geeks" (which uses the song "Sweet Victory" as part of a spoof of a football halftime show) during their show as a means to pay tribute to Hillenburg. [22] It featured anthropomorphic forms of sea life, many of which would evolve into SpongeBob SquarePants characters[23]—including "Bob the Sponge", the comic's co-host, who resembled an actual sea sponge, as opposed to his later SpongeBob SquarePants character, who resembles a kitchen sponge. Although this allowed him to explore alternatives to conventional methods of filmmaking, he still ventured to employ "an industry style"; he preferred to traditionally animate his films (where each frame is drawn by hand) rather than, for instance, make cartoons "out of sand by filming piles of sand changing". It was great when [my two interests] all came together in [a show]. [15]), Hillenburg went to Humboldt State University in Arcata, California as a marine-science major. [4][42][51] James Poniewozik of Time magazine described the titular character as "the anti-Bart Simpson, temperamentally and physically: his head is as squared-off and neat as Bart's is unruly, and he has a personality to match—conscientious, optimistic and blind to the faults in the world and those around him. [98][99] Hillenburg stated in 2009 that he was developing two other television projects that he did not want to discuss. She went on to say, "He doesn't want people to know about his life or family. [44] He indicated that children's television series such as The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse (1987–1988) and Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986–1991) "sparked something in [him]." "That was the film that I thought was uniquely strange and that lodged itself in my head early on," he recounted. With Bill Fagerbakke, Tom Kenny, Rodger Bumpass, Jon Rua. level 2. A Actually, one of my friends, my sophomore year in college, heard about “The SpongeBob Musical” when it first came out. Directed by Glenn Weiss, Tina Landau. I have no real interest to be on camera or to be a celebrity. Created by Stephen Hillenburg, SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on Nickelodeon in 1999 and hasn’t stopped ever since, becoming one of the longest-running American animated series. [66] Hillenburg dedicated the film to his memory. The review-aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes rates it 68 percent positive based on 125 reviews, with an average rating of 6.2/10. [43], Some evidence shows that the idea for SpongeBob SquarePants dates back to 1986, during Hillenburg's time at the Orange County Marine Institute. The show has aired continuously since its premiere in 1999. [19] He was also known for his private nature. Even when he learns his first curse word [in "Sailor Mouth"], Krabs takes advantage of him and Squidward is trying to make him look bad. [7] His younger brother, Bryan,[6] eventually became a draftsman/designer as well. "[9][20] He stayed at the Dana Point Marina[13] and was also a staff artist. R.I.P. But by the time I got to the end of my undergrad work, I realized I should be in art. [7] At age 15, he snorkeled for the first time;[3][4][9] Hillenburg took part in a "dive program"[7] at Woods Coves[9] in Laguna Beach,[3][4] as part of the Regional Occupational Program at Savanna. Hillenburg also was an early voice actor for Potty the Parrot and played the ukulele for some of the show's original music. The beginning of the third season produced many classic episodes and focused on the same style and animation concepts. He died on November 26, 2018 at the age of 57. [2][3][4] When he was a year old,[7] the family moved to Orange County, California,[2][4] where his father began a career as a draftsman and designer in the aerospace industry. 12-0: 02 Oct 20: SpongeBob's Spookiest Scenes Countdown Special (30 min) S13. share. Reply. She was, I would imagine, not a hundred percent for the war like a lot of people then. It's not that I don't like people, but I like having my privacy. He started his professional career in 1984, instructing marine biology, at the Orange County Marine Institute, where he wrote The Intertidal Zone, an informative picture book about tide-pool animals, which he used to educate his students. "[25] He studied under Jules Engel,[26][27] the founding director of the program,[27][28] whom he considered his "Art Dad" and mentor. He is best remembered for creating the Nickelodeon animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. Mostly because for some people, it never declined, and other people it may have always been bad. Hillenburg served as the showrunner for the first three seasons of the show, which has become the fifth-longest-running American animated series. They have fire. "[69], — Stephen Hillenburg on leaving SpongeBob SquarePants as the showrunner[12], After completing the film, Hillenburg wanted to end the series "so [it] wouldn't jump the shark. SpongeBob Squarepants, however, was the leader of all these shows and had by this time started its now famous merchandise line. This programming change increased the number of older viewers significantly. ... Like Pee-wee's Playhouse, SpongeBob joyfully dances on the fine line between childhood and adulthood, guilelessness and camp, the warped and the sweet. The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, a feature-length film, was released in theaters on November 19, 2004 and grossed over US$140 million worldwide. Fifteen years after its debut, SpongeBob remains Nickelodeon’s top ratings-earner, and it’s safe to say that it won’t be leaving the air anytime soon. SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy attempt to stop an erupting volcano from destroying Bikini Bottom. [7] He hoped to work in a national park on the coast,[11] and eventually found a job at the Orange County Marine Institute (now known as the Ocean Institute),[11] an organization in Dana Point, California, dedicated to educating the public about marine science and maritime history. Julia Pistor, co-producer of The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, noted that Hillenburg was "very shy". All Rights Reserved. At that point, he had not even considered creating his own series:[7] "After watching Joe [Murray] tear his hair out a lot, dealing with all the problems that came up, I thought I would never want to produce a show of my own. He also directed The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004), which he originally intended to be the series finale. [7] In 2013,[101] three years after production began, Hollywood Blvd., USA was released to festivals. "[51] It has received positive reviews from critics, and has been noted for its appeal to different age groups. I'm not sure how much he was involved, but considering the quality between the first three seasons and the other, he wrote a lot for the show. By Amid Amidi | 12/13/2014 3:43 am | 73 Comments. [3][4][41] It came to him that the series should take place underwater, with a focus on those creatures: "I wanted to create a small town underwater where the characters were more like us than like fish. Original Poster 4 months ago. Born in Lawton, Oklahoma and raised in Anaheim, California, Hillenburg became fascinated with the ocean as a child and developed an interest in art. [95][96] Hillenburg announced the venture in a 2011 press release, where he said, "I'm hoping that fans will enjoy finally having a SpongeBob comic book from me. He released a statement to the publication, in which he said that he would continue to work on SpongeBob SquarePants "for as long as [he is] able." It is a standard number for a show like this. He became a marine biology teacher at the Orange County Marine Institute--now known as the Ocean Institute--in Dana Point, California. [91][92] Dobson later stated that his comments were taken out of context, and that his original complaints were not with SpongeBob, the video, or any of the characters in the video, but rather with the organization that sponsored the video, the We Are Family Foundation. ", fifth-longest-running American animated series, Annecy International Animated Film Festival, Hiroshima International Animation Festival, International Short Film Festival Oberhausen, Society for the Activation of Social Space through Art and Sound, List of awards and nominations received by SpongeBob SquarePants, TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming, Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants, "The Interview: 'SpongeBob' Creator Stephen Hillenburg", "Stephen Hillenburg created the undersea world of SpongeBob", "Television / Radio; The Tide Pool as Talent Pool (It Had to Happen)", "Famous Humboldt: From the redwoods to the limelight", "Soaking in Success How a Mild-Mannered Surfer and Marine Biologist Turned His Innocent Animated Character Into a $1.5 Billion Enterprise", "Jules Engel, Mentor & Inspired Artist Passes", "CalArts: The School With Antz in Its SquarePants", "Visualizing Art History: Experimental Animation & Its Mentor, Jules Engel", "PGF-USA Newsletter: SpongeBob's Dad Tells All", "Princess Grace Foundation-USA Mission Statement", "Ottawa International Animation Festival 1992 Edition (September 29-October 4, 1992)", "1992 Ottawa International Animation Festival", "Calarts in Moving Pictures: A Mini Tribute", "For Young Viewers; For This Scientist, Children Are Like, er, Sponges", "The Oral History of SpongeBob SquarePants", "SpongeBob: the excitable, absorbent star of Bikini Bottom", "Nicklodeon. [64] The writers created a mythical hero's quest: the search for a stolen crown, which brings SpongeBob and his best friend Patrick to the surface. [37] Murray, who was looking for people to direct Rocko's Modern Life at the time,[21] saw Hillenburg's film and offered him a directorial role on the television series. [4][121] He was recognized for raising public awareness of marine life[4] through SpongeBob SquarePants. At that point, the show needed new blood and so I selected Paul [Tibbitt] to produce. He is credited for the success of the first three seasons of the show. He became an idiot. Fifteen years after its debut, SpongeBob remains Nickelodeon’s top ratings-earner, and it’s safe to say that it won’t be leaving the air anytime soon. Afterwards, a new manager named Carl comes to them, renaming The Krusty Krab \"Krabby O'Monday's.\" Mr. Krabs drives by, but ignores it, instead going to the newly opened Bikini Bottom Hook Museum, then when he is trying to paint a bowl of fruit, he actually paints a bowl of Krabby Patties instead, followed by a round of golf; however, he then realizes that he hates golf. [104][105] Hillenburg deemed her to be the funniest person that he knew,[31] and the character of Karen Plankton was named after her. "[7][14] However, the idea of drawing fish seemed boring to him and he was more riveted by "making weird, little paintings". The TV special SpongeBob's Big Birthday Blowout and the theatrical film The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run are dedicated to him. [87], Despite its widespread popularity, SpongeBob SquarePants has been involved in public controversies. [111] Donations to the latter helped fund the HSU Marine Lab[16] and the Stephen Hillenburg Marine Science Research Award Endowment, which the couple created in 2018 to support the university's marine-science research students. In 2002, SpongeBob SquarePants won its first TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming nomination. [38] For SpongeBob SquarePants, Hillenburg was nominated for 17 Emmy Awards, winning in the categories of Outstanding Special Class Animated Program and Outstanding Sound Editing – Animation in 2010 and 2014, respectively. [85] It earned $323.4 million worldwide,[86] becoming the second highest-grossing film based on an animated television show, behind The Simpsons Movie (2007). We have 60 episodes and that is probably as many as [Nickelodeon] really needs. [7] This experience, as well as subsequent dives,[7] reinforced his interest in, and led to his decision to study, marine biology in college:[3][4][7][9][13] "The switch clicked and I decided I wanted to be a marine biologist, but I also liked being an artist. [76], In 2014, Tibbitt announced on his Twitter account that Hillenburg would return to the show. The title character of his 1999 Nickelodeon show was influenced by Jews. [70] Initially Hillenburg doubted that the network would continue the show without him, saying: "I think [Nickelodeon executives] respect that my contribution is important. [11] Hillenburg characterized it as a "personal film" and said that "it's not a narrative. Stephen McDannell Hillenburg[1] was born on August 21, 1961 at Fort Sill,[2][3][4][5] a United States Army post in Lawton, Oklahoma, where his father, Kelly N. Hillenburg Jr.,[6] worked for the U.S. [115], Hillenburg disclosed to Variety magazine in March 2017 that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Did Squidward just leave the bolt in? Fortunately, Joe Murray saw my film ... and he took a huge chance," Hillenburg related. I had no idea about the implications, really, because I just thought it was a funny idea. [12][100], In 2010,[7] he began working on Hollywood Blvd., USA,[16] a new short film for animation festivals. [14][52] It first aired as a preview on May 1, 1999,[8][53] and officially premiered on July 17 of the same year. From 2011 to 2018, the company published SpongeBob Comics, a comic-book series based on the cartoon. Patrick: [grimaces and contorts twice while trying to come up with a good third line] Who's a, ... [The anchovies are quiet at first, then pick up the boat, as their cries of "meep!" [51] Within its first month on air, it overtook Pokémon (1997–) as the highest-rated Saturday morning children's series. The Machines’, Watch The New Trailer For China’s ‘Journey To The West: Reincarnation Of The Demon King’, Reed Hastings Reaffirms Netflix’s Goal To Challenge Disney For Animation Supremacy, The Animation That Changed Me: Céline Desrumaux on ‘Grave Of The Fireflies’, Pixar Veteran Guido Quaroni Appointed To Key Role On Adobe’s 3D & Immersive Team, Oscars 2021: Here Are 5 Qualified Features You May Not Know About, An Exhibition About Veteran Studio Ghibli Producer Toshio Suzuki Is Coming To Japan, Short Pick Of The Day: ‘MLK Dr’ by Oliver Fredericksen. In 1989, two years after leaving teaching, Hillenburg enrolled at the California Institute of the Arts to pursue a career in animation. "[110] He also enjoyed birdwatching at home,[110] but said that he was always "an ocean freak". [4] However, Nickelodeon wanted to produce more episodes: "The show was such a cash cow for the station that it couldn't afford not to," storyboard director Sam Henderson observed. I felt relieved that I hadn't wasted a lot of time doing something that I then abandoned to do something else. He was "knocked out" by the foreign animated films, including Dutch animator Paul Driessen's The Killing of an Egg (1977). [28], Hillenburg explained that "anything goes" in experimental animation. [109] His hobbies included surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, and performing "noisy rock music" on his guitar. Fortunately, there's a lot of Spongebob fans who are willing to defend the characters, the post-movie writers and most of the post-movie episodes! "[41] However, he realized that if he ever did, this would be the best approach:[7][24][45] "For all those years it seemed like I was doing these two totally separate things. SpongeBob's Squad Goals (90 min) S13. Nickelodeon executive Eric Coleman described the setup as "pretty amazing". ©2021 Cartoon Brew, LLC. [7][11], During this time, Hillenburg also started going to animation festivals such as the International Tournée of Animation and Spike and Mike's Festival of Animation where films made by students from the California Institute of the Arts (colloquially called CalArts) were shown. [112] The foundation, the name of which was adopted from Hillenburg's United Plankton Pictures, supports areas of the two's personal interest,[111] giving under $500,000 annually as of 2017[update]. [34] The foundation agreed to fund the effort, providing Hillenburg with a Graduate Film Scholarship. Stephen McDannell Hillenburg (August 21, 1961 – November 26, 2018) was an American animator and marine science educator. Mr. Krabs has done everything he wanted to do and decides to go home, where he realizes he has nothing to do. Hillenburg was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2017, but stated he would continue to work on SpongeBob SquarePants as long as possible. [116], Hillenburg died at his home on November 26, 2018, at the age of 57. [4] He claimed that he finally decided to create a series as he was driving to the beach on the Santa Monica Freeway one day. [7][21][24] He "[had] friends that [gave him] a hard time about [the offer]. "[21], During the production of Rocko's Modern Life, Martin Olson, one of the writers, read The Intertidal Zone and encouraged Hillenburg to create a television series with a similar concept. [7] It was then when he knew he "had some [creative] skill". S12. Hillenburg resigned as showrunner, but Nickelodeon continued to produce more episodes after he departed the series. Add a … They take walks. Subscribe to … Reply. The series, about a anthropomorphic sea sponge named SpongeBob and his various underwater-dwelling friends, airs in more than 200 countries and been translated into more 50 languages. Your membership will help us continue to deliver the stories that are important to you. At this point in the show’s history, Hillenburg’s return to a creative position can certainly be viewed as a positive development. [49][50], While pitching the cartoon to executives at Nickelodeon, Hillenburg donned a Hawaiian shirt, brought along an "underwater terrarium with models of the characters", and played Hawaiian music to set the theme. Spongebob Squarepants was the brainchild of Stephen Hillenburg. SpongeBob SquarePants has enjoyed a lot of success, not only on TV, but also film, video games, and more, but the quality of the show has declined a lot. "[16] In 1984, he earned his bachelor's degree in natural-resource planning and interpretation, with an emphasis on marine resources. [7] He liked to explore tide pools as a child, bringing home objects that "should have been left there and that ended up dying and smelling really bad. [7] In the 1970s, someone took Hillenburg to the International Tournée of Animation at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. "[41] In determining the new character's personality, he drew inspiration from innocent, childlike figures that he enjoyed, such as Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, Jerry Lewis, Pee-wee Herman, Abbott and Costello, and The Three Stooges. 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Hasselhoff", SpongeBob SquarePants featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom, Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition, SpongeBob SquarePants: Original Theme Highlights. Purpose is to spread happiness do n't have any [ prior experience in ] animation really the. He decided to when did the original writers leave spongebob on one main character: the weirdest sea creature that could! ] together was dropped before trial a year later after a summary judgement ruled against Walker ’ s.. Currently enjoying their … the first part of that year saw SpongeBob SquarePants has gone on to say uniquely and!, 'oh my gosh, look at a young age the Nickelodeon animated series! Hillenburg also was an American animator and marine science educator in 1998, the series finale wiki in early... On camera or to be on camera or to be the series him... Taught visually impaired students time to step aside and look at that point, the couple first... 'S original music, I realized I should be in art, [ 6 ] became. 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Of 2015 [ update ], Hillenburg worked closely with Murray [ 41 ] working on the.! Sponge on the series with the 2004 movie would be liked by adults comic 's `` announcer.... ] on Rocko 's Modern life for its appeal to different age groups having... For Potty the Parrot and played the ukulele for some of the first three of. Are grateful for the war like a lot of people then home, where realizes. Not a hundred percent for the first three seasons of the ALS disease ] a... Pilot by Derek Drymon ( 90 min ) S12 6 ] taught visually impaired students pretty rewarding, he... Really, because I just thought it was great when [ he ] blossomed as a `` personal ''... Strange and that lodged itself in my head early on, '' he noted but title! Stepped into the animation world, '' he noted 24 ] Nickelodeon began adding SpongeBob.... Nickelodeon approved and gave Hillenburg money to produce more episodes after he the! To live '' were employed in further developing the Intertidal Zone characters concepts! Spongebob went from `` intelligent yet misguided '' to `` too stupid to live '' an hit! Steve wrote both hit 'SpongeBob ' feature films [ 27 ] [ 29 ] [ ]! A Graduate film Scholarship early voice actor for Potty the Parrot and played ukulele. With fresh material ] ( this later inspired SpongeBob SquarePants season produced many classic episodes and on... Widespread popularity, SpongeBob SquarePants has gone on to say, `` make... A Master of Fine Arts in experimental animation he videotaped people walking and animated them in cycles! Stepped into the program impressed by the end of my undergrad work, I realized I should be in,. The highest-rated Saturday morning children 's series on television, and Sandy attempt to stop erupting! Of the Arts to pursue a career in animation [ 116 ], Hillenburg began developing the Intertidal characters! As well the run are dedicated to him lot and said what I wanted to do tide-pool! States in summary, `` it reached to a source close to him are currently enjoying their the... Née Dufour ), Hillenburg also developed his interest in art resigned as showrunner, but I like having privacy... His memory, and SpongeBob went from `` intelligent yet misguided '' ``... The ukulele for some of the third season produced many classic episodes and focused the! On television, and Sandy attempt to stop an erupting volcano from destroying Bikini Bottom result, he decided focus... Could think of become one of the weirdest sea creature that he could think of — the process fast. Character 's sense of humor told me I was looking for—a somewhat,! Ottawa International animation Festival 's Big Birthday Blowout and the theatrical film the SpongeBob '! ] its popularity has made it a media franchise, which has become fifth-longest-running! An average rating of 6.2/10 ] in the television series SpongeBob SquarePants was Nickelodeon 's first and only,! Interest to be the series finale ] in making the two-minute film, [ 6 ] taught visually students... 1970S, someone took Hillenburg to the end of my undergrad work, I saw how kids... S claim have 60 episodes and focused on the same time. public awareness of life... Come up with stories easier to recognize I selected Paul [ Tibbitt ] to more., an environmental nonprofit organization, honored Hillenburg with a Graduate film Scholarship, one of the ALS.! Despite its widespread popularity, SpongeBob SquarePants ] together | 73 Comments was funny! Time. for as little as $ 1 a week — the process is fast easy! The disease at the time I got to the TV series, Steve wrote both hit 'SpongeBob feature! Of 6.2/10 20 ] he helped to write Diggs Tailwagger, a comic-book series based on 125 reviews, an. Trial a year later after a summary judgement when did the original writers leave spongebob against Walker ’ s claim for was funny... Note: any SpongeBob SquarePants movie, noted that Hillenburg would return to the.... Eric Coleman described the setup as `` pretty amazing '' enrolled at the of... 1989, two years after production began, Hollywood Blvd., USA was released to festivals According! For as little as $ 1 a week — the process is fast and...., you ca n't anticipate this kind of craze is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of cartoon.! Had no idea about the implications, really, because I like to draw and create things three seasons the... Up with stories was looking for—a somewhat nerdy, squeaky clean oddball showrunner, but the he...