LEXINGTON PARK, Md. – Stephen Hillenburg, creator of Nickelodeon’s “Spongebob Squarepants” died Monday, November 26 at the age of 57.
The international cartoon hit creator died from ALS, a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord’s nerve cells. Hillenburg announced that he was diagnosed with the terminal illness March of last year.
Spongebob Squarepants first premiered on May 1, 1999 and has been renewed until 2019 making it Nickelodeon’s longest running show. The network released this statement following the news of Hillenburg’s death.
💛 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
Stephen Hillenburg is survived by his wife Karen, son Clay, brother Brian, and mother Nancy.