Creativity of Stephen Hillenburg redefined the SpongeBob

Stephen Hillenburg died on November 27, 2018, Stephen Hillenburg, creator of animation success SpongeBob SquarePants, at age 57. The cause of reported death was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, diagnosed in March 2017.

Formed in Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation, Hillenburg began his career as a professor of marine biology at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, California. He began to write and illustrate stories to children as learning tools.

His animation career began in 1987, studying Experimental Animation in Valencia and concluding his master's degree in Fine Arts in 1992. In the same year, he won an award for "Best Animated Concept" for his animated short Wormholes at the International Animation Festival in Ottawa. Between 93 and 96, he would work as director and scriptwriter in the animation The Modern Life of Rocko.

On 1 May 1999, Estrella the series of his own SpongeBob (or SpongeBob SquarePants), in which integrally work as a producer and director. To this day, there have been 250 episodes that fascinate children from adults, also giving rise to three films, a magazine for comics and games for video games and mobile phones. The series would win the English Emmy, the Annie Awards, and the ASACP Prize for Child Protection and was dubbed in more than 60 languages.

"SpongeBob is a very important figure that has come into my life." Professionally I showed up for a lot of people showing another facet of my work with humor and caricature voice. A charismatic character, darling and a lot of fun. I was very fan. A lot. This guy changed my life. "

Contributor to The Modern Life of Rocko Joe Murray said in open letter to Variety: “I found him in the Ottawa festival in 1992. As soon as I saw your movie knew that we would get along I approached him in the lobby and said he had. 

A series that I would do for Nickelodeon and if he would be interested in working on it, thinking it would be fun to see what kind of mess he would bring to the media. My program was too. I will never forget to stay up late after each episode together. I remember that a Nickelodeon executive asked if he was right for the television. It was not. It was right for the new television. Always I was chasing some better, unprecedented, different. He was passionate, brilliant and tireless. "

Nickelodeon said in an official statement: "We are very saddened by the news that Steven Hillenburg died after a battle against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He was a very dear friend and a very old creative partner of Nickelodeon, and our hearts are with all his Steve imbued SpongeBob with a unique sense of humor and innocence that has brought joy to generations of children and families everywhere.

Your original characters and the world of the Bikini Crevice will remain as a reminder of the value of optimism, friendship and the unlimited power of imagination. Hillenburg leaves 20-year-old wife Karen Hillenburg, son Clay, mother Nancy Hillenburg, Brother Brian Kelly, and nieces Emma and Hazel, and a long-time elf for television.