We’re sad to report that Stephen Hillenburg, creator of SpongeBob SquarePants, died on Monday at age 57 following a battle with ALS.
The former marine biologist revealed he had been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease last March, saying in a statement that he would keep working on the beloved Nickelodeon series for as long as he was able to.
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Hillenburg’s official cause of death was listed as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, AKA Lou Gehrig’s disease, which causes the death of neurons that control voluntary muscles.
After years of working in marine biology, Hillenburg studied animation and, in 1993, began his career at Nickelodeon as a director and writer on Rocko’s Modern Life. He went on to merge his love of marine life and animation by gifting the world SpongeBob, which became a cultural phenomenon after it hit airwaves in 1999.
Needless to say, fans are absolutely gutted by this news. Thousands took to social media to pay tribute to the artist and the legacy he left behind, with many sharing their favorite scenes from the series that shaped a generation.
See some of the most bittersweet, heartbreaking posts (below).
???? We are sad to share the news of the passing of Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants. Today, we are observing a moment of silence to honor his life and work. ????
— Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) November 27, 2018
Rest In Peace Stephen Hillenburg! Nobody will ever create a cartoon as legendary as Spongebob Squarepants. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zwSICYued5
— Sean (@seanwells25) November 27, 2018
— erin chack (@ErinChack) November 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/Maria_Giesela/status/1067494583096000512
https://twitter.com/ComradTentacles/status/1067495330516803589
https://twitter.com/coolghost101/status/1067508648157409281
https://twitter.com/ziwe/status/1067501713119154178
Without #Spongebob, we wouldn't have been able to enjoy these memes
RIP Stephen Hillenburg pic.twitter.com/0QBCr46fmX
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 27, 2018
Here's a great little origin of Spongebob told by Stephen Hillenburg. Sincerity in storytelling is so important and you can tell he really NEEDED to tell this story. His characters are so full of love and life. pic.twitter.com/CtTcHlG4oO
— ???? Dave Scheidt ???? (@DaveScheidt) November 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/heyshanmurphy/status/1067494105968721920
Handsome Squidward forever. pic.twitter.com/83hoZJKVq6
— ???? Dave Scheidt ???? (@DaveScheidt) November 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/Almightyy___B/status/1067489186809139200
https://twitter.com/TheTrueLuigiFan/status/1067508159353405441
In honor of Stephen Hillenburg, Imma share with you all my favorite moment in Spongebob. I remember watching this as a kid and falling over laughing. Heck it's still hilarious to this day pic.twitter.com/Q1NAOL3AHs
— Saberspark (@Saberspark) November 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/Jakiba_/status/1067478444928319489
R.I.P., Captain.
[Image via Ivan Nickolov/WENN/Nickelodeon/YouTube.]
