Netizens have been paying tribute to Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob Squarepants, after Nickelodeon announced his death on Tuesday.
According to reports, Hillenburg died at the age of 57 on Monday, November 26, after a battle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Confirming his death, Nickelodeon released a statement saying:
“We are incredibly saddened by the news that Steve Hillenburg has passed away following a battle with ALS.
“He was a beloved friend and long-time creative partner to everyone at Nickelodeon, and our hearts go out to his entire family.
“Steve imbued SpongeBob SquarePants with a unique sense of humor and innocence that has brought joy to generations of kids and families everywhere.
“His utterly original characters and the world of Bikini Bottom will long stand as a reminder of the value of optimism, friendship and the limitless power of imagination.”
Netizens paid emotional tribute to Hillenburg using short clips of the Spongebob Squarepants’ character.
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Hillenburg’s creation has inspired countless memes using the show’s legendary characters including Mr Krabs, Squidward, Patrick and the SpongeBob himself.
He began his animation career in 1987, pursuing a degree in Experimental Animation at the California Institute of Arts in Valencia and earning his Master of Fine Arts in 1992.
See some tributes:
He had the ultimate formuoli. RIP. pic.twitter.com/rCeuxsgN1N
— Shayne Gretzky (@Seanye_West91) November 27, 2018
RIP Stephen Hillenburg ? pic.twitter.com/onwDCOwU8k
— The Boring Company (@boringcompany) November 27, 2018
R.I.P Stephen Hillenburg??
Thank you for creating Spongebob Squarepants for all these years. You will be missed!? pic.twitter.com/d4j3004GM4— LittleCc? (@Lovelywdw_) November 28, 2018
Was a genius indeed?? RIP sir pic.twitter.com/KGNyqAc1Zg
— Mr.Hagan? (@GiggsHagan) November 27, 2018
RIP to a legend, spongebob was my favorite cartoon as a child, I remember watching this 24/7 even when I was sick, he created something that no one else can achieve may god rest his soul? pic.twitter.com/0oOLmTudJ8
— theChristmasWarsStuff (@masterkyv) November 28, 2018
What Stephen gave us will be enjoyed and cherished for generations to come. Thank you for the childhoods you have given us and to the many more you will influence. Flights of angels with crabby patties sing thee to thy rest. ?? pic.twitter.com/qxcKKjGICa
— Mary E. McGlynn (@MaryEMcGlynn) November 28, 2018
Triste noticia para todos sus fieles admiradores ?. Mis condolencias a todos sus familiares y cercanos y a mis amigos de Nickelodeon en nombre de #Chile. pic.twitter.com/CvetcBTMsz
— #HernánConLaTeletón #ElRegaloDeTodos❤ (@HernanCARTOON) November 27, 2018
My Childhood Star has died, what a hero for all his amazing work. I think that if Spongebob Squarepants never was created then I don’t think other TV Shows would have gotten better. He made up most of my childhood and me and my friends still to this day laugh at the jokes. RIP?
— DatOneDerpyBoi (@DatDerpy) November 27, 2018
To be honest, it would be perfect if Stephan’s grave get designed into this as tribute to him and his cartoon juggernaut.
Plus, it would be funny as hell.— DeltaKnight44// (Commissions open) (@delta_knight44) November 28, 2018
Everyday my childhood seems more and more like a dream. RIP to one of the people responsible for countless memories that helped shape the person I am today.
— SNOW SOS (@SNOWSOS1) November 28, 2018
My childhood has died today. Spongebob is one of my all time favorite shows. I grew up right during the end of the Golden Age, so they had a lot of re-runs of Seasons 1 to 3. That is some of the best animation I’ve ever seen.
Thank you Stephen, for making my childhood. pic.twitter.com/rnfVZgOn3p
— Epsilon (@ProtoKirbs) November 28, 2018
My childhood has died today. Spongebob is one of my all time favorite shows. I grew up right during the end of the Golden Age, so they had a lot of re-runs of Seasons 1 to 3. That is some of the best animation I’ve ever seen.
Thank you Stephen, for making my childhood. pic.twitter.com/rnfVZgOn3p
— Epsilon (@ProtoKirbs) November 28, 2018
Thats my whole childhood.. im not crying you are:(( pic.twitter.com/DdJLjeBIia
— sequoia garcia?? (@sequoyy) November 28, 2018
RIP Stephen Hillenburg
Thank You For All The Great Episodes Of SpongeBob And The Memes
August 21, 1961 – November 26, 2018 pic.twitter.com/DlDByFkqib— Michael (@michael101c) November 28, 2018
me and my two daughters are sad too. RIP. sponjebobbe (italian pronounciaton) pic.twitter.com/OaaYgRdRCi
— Kafkas Caprazli (@caprazli) November 28, 2018
