Vale: Stephen Hillenburg

Animator Stephen Hillenburg, best known for creating SpongeBob SquarePants, has died aged 57.

He announced a little over a year ago that he had been diagnosed with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Hillenburg was a marine biologist when he decided to go back to school and study experimental animation.

He created SpongeBob SquarePants after working on Nickelodeon’s Rocko’s Modern Life, combining his two loves: animation and marine biology.

“I figured we might get a season and a cult following and that might be it,” Hillenburg told The Washington Post in 2009.

The cartoon became a massive hit for a generation of children, with series dubbed or subtitled into more than 60 languages. It also spawned a movie and a Broadway musical, nominated for 12 Tony Awards.

“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,” Nickelodeon said in a statement. “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.”

New episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants are still screening 4pm Mon -Thurs on Nickelodeon.