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A SPECIAL HERO OF THE DAY!
Name: Stephen Hillenburg
Age: was 57
Occupation: marine biologist-turned animator
Last Seen: in the big pineapple in the sky
Awarded For: giving us Spongebob
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In the world of animation, there are some names one can easily recognize in a snap. Names like Walt Disney, Walter Lantz, Hanna-Barbera and Max Fleischer, just to name a few.
There are those whose work is almost easily recognizable, like Chuck Jones, Tex Avery and Jim Tyer. Oh, and let's not forget Ralph Bakshi and John Kricfalusi.
Granted, Steven Hillenburg wasn't a household name to most. But, for those whose TV is set to Nickelodeon a lot of the time, his name appears on the screen as the creator of Spongebob Squarepants.
As we all know by now, Hillenburg died yesterday at age 57 from ALS, aka Lou Gehrig's Disease. He announced his diagnosis in March. It's almost hard to believe that Spongebob has been on Nick for 20 years now with new, original episodes. As a kid, I remembered Doug, Rugrats, Rocko's Modern Life and oh yes, Ren and Stimpy. When Spongebob made its debut in 1999, this very website was being born and I was beginning my life as a senior in high school. I felt too old for the show, but I have seen a few episodes and they're OK.
Hillenburg was born in Oklahoma to a military family. However, he spent most of his childhood in Anaheim, CA. His love of marine biology came as a young child, bringing home objects from tide pools that sat on the counter and died. He also loved to draw; one of his earliest drawings was of soldiers kissing and hugging since he was a kid during the Vietnam era.
In the 1980s, Hillenburg became a marine biology teacher, often using art to teach his students. One of the comics he created featured characters he later used on Spongebob. He left that position to become an animator. In 1993, he finally made it big directing episodes of the Nickelodeon classic Rocko's Modern Life. However, when the show was canceled in 1996, he looked to his old comics as a marine biologist to create Spongebob. He even cited Bakshi's The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse cartoon series from the late 80s and even Pee-Wee's Playhouse as influences. The show debuted in 1999 and quickly became Nick's most-popular show.
Of course, there are other cartoon shows that have been on longer than Spongebob: The Simpsons and South Park. But even though those two programs are geared towards adults, a huge chunk of SS's fans are grown-ups, too. As a matter of fact, SS merchandise has made over $13 billion for Nickelodeon. Not bad for a goofy yellow sponge.
True, all great fictional characters have all succeeded without their beloved creators. But knowing that the brilliant mind who gave us Spongebob is gone just simply tears away at its soul.
It's truly a sad day in Bikini Bottom.
Age: was 57
Occupation: marine biologist-turned animator
Last Seen: in the big pineapple in the sky
Awarded For: giving us Spongebob
--
In the world of animation, there are some names one can easily recognize in a snap. Names like Walt Disney, Walter Lantz, Hanna-Barbera and Max Fleischer, just to name a few.
There are those whose work is almost easily recognizable, like Chuck Jones, Tex Avery and Jim Tyer. Oh, and let's not forget Ralph Bakshi and John Kricfalusi.
Granted, Steven Hillenburg wasn't a household name to most. But, for those whose TV is set to Nickelodeon a lot of the time, his name appears on the screen as the creator of Spongebob Squarepants.
As we all know by now, Hillenburg died yesterday at age 57 from ALS, aka Lou Gehrig's Disease. He announced his diagnosis in March. It's almost hard to believe that Spongebob has been on Nick for 20 years now with new, original episodes. As a kid, I remembered Doug, Rugrats, Rocko's Modern Life and oh yes, Ren and Stimpy. When Spongebob made its debut in 1999, this very website was being born and I was beginning my life as a senior in high school. I felt too old for the show, but I have seen a few episodes and they're OK.
Hillenburg was born in Oklahoma to a military family. However, he spent most of his childhood in Anaheim, CA. His love of marine biology came as a young child, bringing home objects from tide pools that sat on the counter and died. He also loved to draw; one of his earliest drawings was of soldiers kissing and hugging since he was a kid during the Vietnam era.
In the 1980s, Hillenburg became a marine biology teacher, often using art to teach his students. One of the comics he created featured characters he later used on Spongebob. He left that position to become an animator. In 1993, he finally made it big directing episodes of the Nickelodeon classic Rocko's Modern Life. However, when the show was canceled in 1996, he looked to his old comics as a marine biologist to create Spongebob. He even cited Bakshi's The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse cartoon series from the late 80s and even Pee-Wee's Playhouse as influences. The show debuted in 1999 and quickly became Nick's most-popular show.
Of course, there are other cartoon shows that have been on longer than Spongebob: The Simpsons and South Park. But even though those two programs are geared towards adults, a huge chunk of SS's fans are grown-ups, too. As a matter of fact, SS merchandise has made over $13 billion for Nickelodeon. Not bad for a goofy yellow sponge.
True, all great fictional characters have all succeeded without their beloved creators. But knowing that the brilliant mind who gave us Spongebob is gone just simply tears away at its soul.
It's truly a sad day in Bikini Bottom.
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Bee-otch of the Day Archives can be seen on http://beeotchoftheday.blogspot.com
Bee-otch of the Day is a production of Chuck69.com, Grand Rapids' site for Stern, politics and more!
Bee-otch of the Day Archives can be seen on http://beeotchoftheday.blogspot.com
Bee-otch of the Day is a production of Chuck69.com, Grand Rapids' site for Stern, politics and more!
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