Stephen Hillenburg facts for kids

Stephen Hillenburg
Stephen Hillenburg
	Hillenburg in 2011
Born	Stephen McDannell Hillenburg ; August 21, 1961; Lawton, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	November 26, 2018 (aged 57); San Marino, California, U.S.
Cause of death	Complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Other names	Steve Hillenburg
Alma mater	Humboldt State University
Occupation	Marine biologist, scientist, teacher, animator, television director, television producer, writer
Years active	1991–2018
Known for	Rocko's Modern Life,; SpongeBob SquarePants,; The Intertidal Zone
Spouse(s)	Karen Hillenburg
Signature

Stephen McDannell Hillenburg (August 21, 1961 – November 26, 2018) was an American marine biologist, marine scientist, animator, writer, producer, actor, voice actor, and director. He was best known for creating the Nickelodeon animated series SpongeBob SquarePants.

Hillenburg was born in Lawton, Oklahoma at a United States Army base. He was raised in Anaheim, California. He studied at Humboldt State University where he majored in marine biology and minored in arts. Hillenburg was inspired by Jacques Cousteau and Max Fleischer.

In March 2017, Hillenburg was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) which is a terminal illness that affects the nervous system. He died from complications of the disease on November 26, 2018 in San Marino, California at the age of 57.

Images for kids

Hillenburg taught marine biology to visitors of the Orange County Marine Institute (pictured) in Dana Point, California during the mid-1980s.
Shots from The Green Beret (top) and Wormholes
Bob the Sponge from The Intertidal Zone, discussing molting and the declawing of crabs
A still from Hollywood Blvd., USA