Stephen Hillenburg, "SpongeBob Squarepants" creator has died

After being diagnosed with the disease in 2017 and enduring a tough battle, Stephen Hillenburg , unfortunately, succumbed to amyotrophic ...

After being diagnosed with the disease in 2017 and enduring a tough battle, Stephen Hillenburg, unfortunately, succumbed to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease that results in the death of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord.

The Emmy award-winning animator and creator of SpongeBob Squarepants, an animated series about an anthropomorphic sea sponge had been working at Nickelodeon at the time of his death. The cartoon show first premiered in 1999 and it's popularity soon skyrocketed and it was soon translated into more than 50 languages and it aired in over 200 countries.

💛 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

Hillenburg was 57 at the time of his death and he is survived by his wife and 1 child. May his soul rest in piece,