SpongeBob SquarePants Creator, Stephen Hillenburg, Has Died

Stephen Hillenburg, the man behind Nickelodeon’s hit cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants, has sadly died at the age of 57.

The network announced the news this morning, revealing Hillenburg passed away following a battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

"We are incredibly saddened by the news that Steve Hillenburg has passed away following a battle with ALS," a Nickelodeon spokesperson told BuzzFeed News.

"He was a beloved friend and long-time creative partner to everyone at Nickelodeon, and our hearts go out to his entire family."

ALS is a specific neurodegenerative disease which causes the death of neurons controlling voluntary muscles.

Despite revealing his diagnosis last year, Hillenburg remained working on the show.  

Fans and peers have flooded Twitter with tributes:

May Stephen rest in peace. 

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