Stephen Hillenburg

Full Name: Stephen McDannell Hillenburg
Profession: Cartoonist and Voice Actor

Biography: Hillenburg turned his passion for marine biology into one of the most successful and acclaimed cartoons in history, SpongeBob SquarePants, which is the fifth-longest running animated series in American history.

He originally created the concept of a cartoon of tide-pool animals while teaching at the Orange County Marine Institute. He later became an animator, worked on Rocko's Modern Life (1993-1996) and then created SpongeBob.

He was diagnosed with ALS syndrome in 2017 and died due to complications of the illness on November 26, 2018.

Born: August 21, 1961
Birthplace: Lawton, Oklahoma, USA

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Leo

Died: November 27, 2018 (aged 57)
Cause of Death: Complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)