Nickelodeon earlier confirmed that the maker of Spongebob Squarepants, one of the most-loved animation series in the world lost his battle with an unusual neurodegenerative disorder.
American animator and ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ creator Stephen Hillenburg first publicized his battle with ALS in March 2017.
Despite his disorder, Hillenburg still decided to resume running on the series and affirmed, “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.”
On Monday, the American television network validated the passing of Hillenburg after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS. They also took to Twitter and asked his fans to revere his life and work.
“He was a beloved friend and long-time creative partner to everyone at Nickelodeon, and our hearts go out to his entire family,” Nickelodeon said in a statement.
Since the declaration of the 57-year-old animator’s death, the network has not yet announced whether or not they will continue to create ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ episodes on behalf of the late artist.
Hillenburg almost made everything in the animated series that started in 1999 until it grew into countless episodes, movies and a Broadway show.
“SpongeBob SquarePants” founded its record for being aired in over 300 countries and interpreted in more than 60 languages. As of this writing, it already bagged 75 awards and made two full-length films.
Spongebob Squarepants became known as one of the most popular animated series of all time in the world. Not only the $13 billion-worth TV series delivered fun and adventure in each episode, but it also became the source of some of the best memes in Internet history.
After learning Hillenburg’s death, Bob Kulick and David Glen Eisley chose to honor and remember the “SpongeBob SquarePants” creator by releasing a new version of their song “Sweet Victory”.
“May you all have a happy holiday season. May the new decade find you all celebrating your own ‘Victories’ in your lives, your hearts, and your souls,” Eisley wrote alongside the special version of the anthem.
Meanwhile, the musical lead actor Ethan Slater expressed his despair in an e-mail following the news of Hillenburg’s death. He said how heartbroken he got after he heard the news.
Slater described the late animator as a “truly generous and kind person” and reminisced how the creative genius welcomed the Broadway cast as members of the family.
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