
'SpongeBob SquarePants' animated series creator dies at age 57
>> Reuters
Published: 28 Nov 2018 12:32 AM BdST Updated: 28 Nov 2018 01:15 AM BdST
-
FILE PHOTO: Stephen Hillenburg, creator of the popular animated series Spongebob Squarepants is interviewed by Reuters in Singapore, January 28, 2005. Reuters
The creator of the animated television series "SpongeBob SquarePants," Stephen Hillenburg, has died at the age of 57, the Nickelodeon television network said on Tuesday.
Hillenburg had said last year that he was suffering from the neurodegenerative disease ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
"We are incredibly saddened by the news that Steve Hillenburg has passed away following a battle with ALS," the network said in a statement. "He was a beloved friend and long-time creative partner to everyone at Nickelodeon, and our hearts go out to his entire family."
Hillenburg was a marine biology teacher in Southern California when he started creating sea creatures as teaching tools.
The first episode of "SpongeBob SquarePants," featuring the cheery yellow sea sponge and his friends who live in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom, aired on television in May 1999.
The series went on to win multiple awards, produced a series of spin-off books, two Hollywood movies and a Broadway musical.
"Steve imbued SpongeBob SquarePants with a unique sense of humour and innocence that has brought joy to generations of kids and families everywhere," the Nickelodeon statement said. "His utterly original characters and the world of Bikini Bottom will long stand as a reminder of the value of optimism, friendship and the limitless power of imagination."
More stories
WARNING:
Any unauthorised use or reproduction of bdnews24.com content for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement liable to legal action.
- Mexican actor apologises for racial slur against ‘Roma’ actress
- Michelle Obama stuns Grammys audience with surprise appearance
- 'This is America' wins big at Grammys, Musgraves takes best album
- Bollywood movie premiering in Berlin puts spotlight on India's hip-hop scene
- Albert Finney, ‘angry young man’ who became a Hollywood star, dies at 82
- Iranian film show, photo exhibition begin in Dhaka marking Islamic revolution
- British actor Albert Finney, five-time Oscar nominee, dies aged 82
- From obscurity, uncredited composer of ‘Modhu Hoi Hoi’ bursts into public view
- China’s film industry finally joins the space race
- Shahriar Kabir’s documentary on Sufism adds ‘another pillar’ to Bangladesh-Turkey relations
Most Read
- Saudi crown prince begins Asia tour with $20 billion Pakistan investment pledge
- Prince Harry and Prince William split households over royal family row
- Gas outage to hit half of Dhaka again on Tuesday
- Bangladesh eyes ‘big investments’ after four deals signed with UAE
- Bangladesh Bank approves three more private commercial banks
- Saad followers brave rains for second phase of Bishwa Ijtema
- Biswa Ijtema extended to Tuesday after rain disruptions
- HC scraps plea challenging swearing-in of new MPs again
- Avijit Roy murder: Six, including ‘ABT leader’ Major Zia and blogger Farabi, to be charged
- BCB announces new domestic T20 tournament