SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenburg dies

SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg has died. He was 57 years old.

A year ago, Hillenburg was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but despite the disease, he continued to work on the animated series.

• As a young man, Hillenburg worked as a marine biologist for several years. He used his knowledge in this area to create an animated series about sea creatures.
• The first episode of SpongeBob SquarePants was released in 1999. In addition to the show's 12 seasons, two feature-length films have been released about SpongeBob and his friends.