Stephen Hillenburg, The Creator Of "SpongeBob SquarePants," Has Died At 57

[BUtterfield 8 41,291]

Stephen Hillenburg, the man who used his background in marine biology to create the wildly popular cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants for Nickelodeon, has died from ALS, the network announced Tuesday. He was 57.

"We are incredibly saddened by the news that Steve Hillenburg has passed away following a battle with ALS," a Nickelodeon spokesperson said in a statement to BuzzFeed News. "He was a beloved friend and long-time creative partner to everyone at Nickelodeon, and our hearts go out to his entire family."

Hillenburg revealed last year that he had been diagnosed with the disease but vowed to continue working on the TV show, which has been running since 1999. ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects cells in the brain and spinal cord.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/stephen-hillenburg-spongebob-squarepants-creator-dies?utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=bffbbuzzfeedcocoabutter&ref=bffbbuzzfeedcocoabutter

[ChicaSkas 22,883]

What a sad day 

[Mirrion Rizzons 10,705]

 

[Andy McQueen 4,484]

A friend of my father had ALS and died from it, he was 40 something, it's terrible