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Stephen Hillenburg
68quotes
Full Name and Common Aliases
Stephen Glenn Hillenburg was a marine biologist turned animator, best known as the creator of the beloved Nickelodeon animated series SpongeBob SquarePants.
Birth and Death Dates
He was born on August 21, 1961, in Lawton, Oklahoma. Unfortunately, he passed away on November 26, 2018, at the age of 57 due to complications from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).
Nationality and Profession(s)
Hillenburg was an American marine biologist, animator, director, and producer.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family of artists, Hillenburg developed a passion for drawing at an early age. He attended Humboldt State University, where he earned a degree in marine resource development, with a focus on marine biology. After graduating, he worked as a marine biologist, studying the behavior of ocean creatures such as shrimp and lobsters.
Major Accomplishments
In 1992, Hillenburg moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in animation. He began working as an animator for Rocko's Modern Life, another Nickelodeon show, where he met his future wife, Virginia Hering. His experience at Rocko led him to develop the concept for SpongeBob SquarePants, which premiered in 1999 and went on to become a global phenomenon.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Hillenburg's notable works include:
SpongeBob SquarePants: As creator, executive producer, and director, Hillenburg was instrumental in bringing the show to life.
The Wild Thornberrys: He served as co-executive producer and story editor for this Nickelodeon animated series.
Impact and Legacy
Hillenburg's work on SpongeBob SquarePants has had a profound impact on popular culture. The show's unique blend of humor, imagination, and optimism has made it a beloved favorite among both children and adults. His ability to create memorable characters and worlds has inspired countless artists, animators, and writers.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Hillenburg's legacy extends beyond his work on SpongeBob SquarePants. He was a true original, with a unique perspective on the world that he brought to everything he did. His commitment to innovation, creativity, and fun has made him a role model for many in the animation industry.
As an animator, director, and producer, Hillenburg's impact will be felt for generations to come. His dedication to bringing joy and laughter into people's lives is a testament to the power of imagination and creativity.
Quotes by Stephen Hillenburg
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SpongeBob is a complete innocent - not an idiot. SpongeBob never fully realizes how stupid Patrick is. They're whipping themselves up into situations - that's always where the humor comes from.
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I do think that the attitude of the show is about tolerance. Everybody is different, and the show embraces that. The character SpongeBob is an oddball. He's kind of weird, but he's kind of special.
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Most sponges in the ocean are sedentary: They attach themselves to a rock and sit and filter-feed the rest of their lives and reproduce, and that's about it. Not that they are not interesting, but they are not that kinetic. They are not mobile. They don't cook Krabbie Patties!
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I thought, well, what about a show that stars undersea creatures, and some of the ones you rarely see animated. So, from there, I just started drawing different animals in a kind of a setting that was this nautical world. It's not realistic but sort of a fantastic environment.
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Anyone who knows me knows that I will continue to work on 'SpongeBob SquarePants' and my other passions for as long as I am able.
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On TV, it is more efficient to use voice-over people because it is really hard to get celebrity voices to recur in a series.
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To be honest, there is a special gift for doing voice-overs, and the people who did the voices in the 'SpongeBob' cast are excellent at cartoon voice-overs, and they bring something extra to the reads.
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I knew I wanted to create a character who was nerdy and kind of square, so when I drew a square sponge, everything came together. And originally his name was SpongeBoy, but there we couldn't use that for trademark reasons.
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I was just looking at a packet that had SpongeBob thong underwear, so it goes farther than I would imagine.
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I never really imagined a show about a sponge going past our first season. I thought maybe we'd have a cult following, and we'd be gone after one season.
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