Stephen Hillenburg, In His Own Words

Compiled from various interviews, documentaries and other appearances, here is Stephen Hillenburg, talking about SpongeBob, his career, and more.
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[@ClockWorksb]

This really needs more attention, for what might be the biggest American cartoon of all time, we rarely got to hear or see from Hillenburg, it’s so cool to see the creator of the show be a genuine marine life fanatic.

[@CaptainJZH]

Oh yeah agreed. Believe it or not THIS IS IT. Like I cut out parts where he repeats something he says in another interview but these are basically all of the on-camera interviews he ever gave. There's the Origins/Making Of feature on one of the DVDs, the bonus snippets also from the DVDs, the Behind the Scenes feature for the Movie, two interviews he did to promote the Movie, a more recent TV documentary, and a mini-doc Nickelodeon did for KZbin. There were also a handful of commentaries he did with Tom Kenny but those are hard to come by. I can really respect it though, like he could have been a lot more outspoken but he maintained his privacy all the way through.

[@CrypticKnight10]

He was in the case of SpongeBob documentary in the movie dvd feature

[@snottyspoon476]

He's like a father you never met. He created an entire childhood for people worldwide AND had a vast knowledge for underwater life. I'd have loved to meet him in person to tell him how much he inspired me and that because of Spongebob I started studying design and animation. I'm very sure he knew how much he and his work meant to us and wherever he is now, I hope it's down in the deep blue sea with Spongebob and his friends.

[@sirfizz6518]

Looking up at us from that Great Big Pineapple ❤

[@viennabella4591]

Me too ❤❤❤ best show ever

[@lelanieshimada9794]

Taiki Matsuno, the Japanese voice actor for SpongeBob SquarePants, passed away in 2024. The date of his death was June 26th, 2024 at the age of 56.

[@TheDonWallzie]

Dude saw bootleg versions of his own merch and didn’t get mad, just made him realise how big his creation was.

[@adyanbickaroo1868]

He is a beautiful man who created SpongeBob What a Beautiful Soul in life he will be missed

[@kylo6953]

Zo zo beautiful🥺😭🥺💖💖💖

[@alysssabear]

I’m still horrifically saddened by the fact that I’ll never have the chance to meet him. I’ll never get the opportunity to personally thank him for creating the biggest role of my childhood. It’s been almost 6 years since we lost him, and I just can’t help but cry my eyes out.

[@nicklenuts]

That's insane it's been 6 years🥺 We losing too many people bro

[@Straypanda-03]

❤ I know

[@rachelfay9582]

If we find a cure for ALS, we should all grab hands and sing “Sweet Victory” so loudly Stephen can hear us. He didn’t just create a show-he raised a generation. We’ll be forever grateful.

[@gohawks3571]

Amen! ALS is terrible 💔☹️

[@brandydeline4604]

he wasn't just a person. he was the creator of spongebob.

[@Retrofire-47]

a man's contribution is his identity

[@midgetwaffles8635]

My only regret is not being able to personally thank Steven for helping me discover my passion for art. My very first drawings ever were little notebook scribbles of Gary the snail, and eventually Spongebob. Now I'm 19, and I want to have a full-time job in illustration/cartooning someday. May this glorious man rest in peace, and may his legacy last for at least an eternity.

[@JosephDutra]

Me too. SpongeBob was always a drawing I would attempt on paint on Windows XP 😂.

[@truthseeker9249]

*His legacy will never die. Not while I'm still breathing.* 😠😠😠😠

[@andymcclurg9916]

Congrats!

[@RACCONSSSSSS]

you ruined your life by choosing to like hazbin hotel

[@midgetwaffles8635]

@@RACCONSSSSSS real

[@Callmeliam]

Rest in Peace King, you made my childhood amazing and had a big part of making me into who i am today, You had simple aspirations in life and you went on to make the most awesome cartoon of all time!

[@jonathanramirezmiguel2012]

Oh man, thank you so much for this compilation. Stephen’s interviews are so rare and I’m very sad how little we know in terms of his thought process. He was such an amazing artist and he was gone too soon.

[@davidnissim589]

This man made easily the most iconic cartoon of the modern era, a cartoon that a generation and a half grew up on, yet he was very humble and didn't chase the spotlight. Plus he cared about his franchise enough not to milk it dry (which Nickelodeon is doing now because he's gone). RIP Stephen, thanks for all the laughs, music, and memories.

[@jerrysgardentractorsengine2243]

Stephen KNEW about the spin-offs though 🙃

[@randomisme40]

He is so genuine. RIP, you always be missed

[@EntertainingEcd]

Without Spongebob, heck without Stephen, my life, and thousands and thousands of lives would not be the same. Thanks for everything, Stephen

[@maxthefoooool]

Hillenburg created one of the most influential pieces of media of all time. Poured his heart and soul into it, a true artist

[@Samantha-lo6we]

missing him a lot lately

[@sweetpea644]

Very fascinating, never seen a lot of these clips. Stephen was incredibly noble in not only setting out to develop a funny, satirical cartoon, but explore an abstract undersea world influenced by his love of marine life. It's a great mindset to have as a creative, taking bits and pieces from your surroundings.

[@jayce5231]

you will always be a true legend Stephen hillenburg

[@ExcellaRE5fan]

In Carolyn Lawrence’s words on the Nickelodeon SpongeBob podcast: what a beautiful human.

[@imaginarygirly5250]

I really appreciate this. Stephen is such a good man

[@chrisxd101]

Rip Stephen hillenburg my childhood hero 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@Cosmos6745]

An amazing man who was gone way too soon. Thanks for making our childhood Stephen.

[@sillycaelo]

thank you so much Stephen Hillenburg for making spongebob i hope the best for you in heaven❤❤❤ Rest in peace

[@popsingerstar]

hes definitely having a sweet victory in heaven

[@ShibaHamamatsucho]

He was so well spoken. RIP Legend 🙏

[@robingrunding5485]

He was soo calm, funny and a genius at the same time allowing him to have created spongebob which changed our childhoods forever 🥰 thank you Mr. Hillenburg for bringing us Spongebob Squarepants R.I.P

[@Ronaldthevelociraptor1457]

Spongebob will never be the same without stephen

[@spongebobsquarepants6096]

Give the other seasons a chance!

[@Pablo.673]

It's not the same but it's as good tbh

[@RekoBrowner]

a legend, he created spongebob, he wrote, produced, directed and storyboarded on rocko's modern life so he was one of the main reasons that show was so successful, so many shows came from spongebob and the writers he hired for it: chowder, my little pony,harvey beaks, phineas and ferb, adventure time, fish hooks etc. all branches of the spongebob tree.

[@davidshaw681]

A soul taken way to early 😢 Rest in peace you fucking legend

[@ShadowKitty7908]

He took both of his passions and made us love them too. R.I.P Ocean Man

[@rainbowkittenzz244]

He kinda gives kurt kobain energy in a sense. They both definitely get super stoned

[@A_random_NPC]

They both give off the vibe of not really thinking about what they do but they do it so well

[@user-ss4ek3zo4d]

i call that : fried creativity. like stephen took a lot of acid and smokes a lot of weed so he’s super creative but a little spacey lol.

[@bluespirit8590]

​@@user-ss4ek3zo4d did he really?

[@villll]

yeah wat

[@idkissausername1667]

the man who helped raise a generation, the stories he told, the joy and laughter he brought, all of it cannot be understated. My life would be so drastically different if i didnt grow up on Spongebob, and i know so many people can and will say the same. Thank you, Mr Hillenburg, or should i say, Ocean Man. "It was his hat Mr. Krabs, *He was Number 1!"*

[@davida6146]

7:56 This!! This is who I am half of the time! I never realized it but there's something that has always made me stay young at heart and look at life's problems with a childlike attitude when things appear too difficult or impossible to move forward. It's that attitude that has made me always just bite the bullet sometimes and make the most fun/best out of a situation. This is the gift I received from SpongeBob. Deep down its my subconscious memory of what would my favourite cartoon would do. Thanks for making me laugh all these years 🥲

[@coolalien8139]

I hope an author makes an official adult biography book of Stephen Hillenburg one day. I'd like to read about him.

[@Dx203]

He's responsible for the childhoods of millions and millions of people he deserves to be remembered forever ♥️

[@42rose]

What a kind, sincere and creative soul 💛 Still can’t believe he’s gone. Stephen brought so much joy to ppl around the world through his passion for animation and aquatic life. Hope he’s resting peacefully all the way up in The Great Beyond 🌊🩵

[@thechuchofthecentury3853]

The Walt Disney of Nickelodeon

[@alysssabear]

Perfect description

[@brettboi3730]

Wow wow wow! You did a fantastic job cutting this together. Thank you for this, really freaking cool. Hillenburg was one of a kind and Spongebob is absolutely legendary, one of my favorite shows of all time.

[@jerrysgardentractorsengine2243]

I’m not normally affected by celebrity deaths, but Stephens death genuinely broke me. I remember getting home from work and locking myself in my room just to let the reality set in that he was gone

[@JacobDavisLifeStory]

Thank you for stringing together this impressive Stephen Hillenberg compilation!

[@CaptainJZH]

My pleasure!

[@JacobDavisLifeStory]

Information: I am a terrible vehicle driver. Jerry Seinfeld is a very impressive driver, very talented and skilled. He can parallel park.

[@jytvreal]

He raised a generation

[@Monhamd1000]

Stephen Hillenburg is a legend, and he will always be the legend of our childhood.

[@LonnellRich]

Thank you so much for making my childhood and adulthood awesome.

[@mariobabbo3497]

In Memory Of Stephen Hillenburg A talent animator, artist and former marine biologist

[@popsingerstar]

r.i.p. man :( thanks a million 4 making the best damn show ever & giving us the best damn childhoods anybody could ever ask 4. its never gonna be the same without u :(

[@slash.slayer]

legit shocked that this only has 1k views lol. amazing vid

[@bryansalazar8927]

Thanks for creating one of my favorite cartoons. It made my childhood way better, considering I lived in a third-world country. It had lots of values and love that made my days a little better.

[@jytvreal]

2018 was a dark year for spongebob fans

[@ChloeChem]

I absolutely love the art in the studio. I watch SpongeBob every single day. It’s my comfort and watching each episode over & over is like watching for the very first time. ❤️

[@tpstrat14]

I was crying by the end. I just want to be able to give him a hug for enriching my life with this beautiful cartoon, but i can't. RIP Mr. Hillenburg.

[@DanielO2K9]

R.I.P Stephen Hillenburg

[@whatsinherdiapervillarreal3111]

Rest in peace Stephen hillenburg 1961-2018

[@Jervis-JehanYvesLaurent]

Rip legend :(

[@mattr.9167]

SpongeBob is up there with Tom and Jerry. Rip sir.

[@wesleythompson2481]

I love this so much!!!!! I love SpongeBob SquarePants so much it’s my number one favorite show, and I love every season I’ve watched!!!!!!!! Stephen Hillenburg was a good man and he did an amazing job to combined using his aquatic knowledge of marine biology and love of animation and art to create a show to be enjoyed by everyone worldwide!!!!!!!!!!! He still has an executive producer credit which is used for every season ( Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,etc)!!!!!! Even though I have never met Stephen Hillenburg, I will always watch his show every day, I have collected some SpongeBob socks, SpongeBob T-shirts, and Stephen Hillenburg will always be remembered for making SpongeBob SquarePants and his legacy stays alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😍🥰💛💖💜💙🧽🌈🦄📱

[@Freddy_Confetti]

What a cool guy

[@Xxpavement_angelxX]

a true artist and wonderful soul may your legacy live forever

[@nessauwuu]

He put so much love into Spongebob ❤️❤️

[@thesuperrorioeblen8872]

The god who made the most famous cartoon history on the whole entire planet and universe we will forever miss you man.

[@stormmist3634]

this guy made my childhood, his show teached me so many lessons, may he rest in peace

[@DoctorBro117]

Spongebob is that kid, in stephen. Rest in peace you one awesome soul.

[@belenvillegasmercado7480]

I love this man ^^ When I was a child I simply enjoyed the show. Now I understand Stephen was trying to create something diferent. A funny, original and touching story about a sponge who lives in an adult world but tryes to keep his inner child.

[@ECKohns]

Rest In Peace.

[@paulcasino9511]

This hurts my heart so much

[@bgikuya]

Watching this makes me wanna cry

[@viennabella4591]

All best people are named Stephen. Stephen hillenberg, sphere Spielberg, Steve Irwin.

[@clockworkNate]

Ocean man, take me by the hand Lead me to the land, that you understand Ocean man, the voyage to the corner of the globe,is a real trip. Ocean man, the crust of a tan man imbibed by the sand.Soaking up the thirst of the land. Ocean man, can you see through the wonder of amazement,at the Oberman? Ocean man, the crust is elusive when it casts forth, to the childlike man. Ocean man, the sequence of a life form braised in the sand, soaking up the thirst of the land... Ocean Man. May he rest in peace.

[@jenamiahhjunee1153]

😢rest in peace ✌🏻 making my childhood and my child’s childhood!!

[@jjeverson2269]

Seemed like a pretty chill person who left us too soon. ALS sucks and I hope there is a cure soon.

[@kylo6953]

Rip bro 👑

[@birdsniffingthefloor]

Wonderful compilation!

[@ShadowCammando24]

A wonderful man that made one of the most iconic shows of all time. Bless him. His legacy will live on for eternity. ❤

[@user-pk1he1bs4c]

RIP legend.

[@matthewpena3478]

Beautiful soul

[@troydaum4728]

I love this video so much 🥲 very inspiring for creative people given the unconventional path he took. A good lesson about following your passions. Sounds like Jules Engle and Joe Murray were great teachers as well. It’s important to find good mentors.

[@g-mads]

thank you SO much for making this

[@MichaelMici]

One of my biggest regrets in life is never getting to meet this man. I like to draw cartoons and make art for a living, and it will always be a painful reminder to me that Stephen Hillenburg left us too early.

[@sammyjaohnson5631]

yeah, I also wish he showed up to events more, but he was always kind of shy all I ever wanted was a signed drawing of SpongeBob from him but unfortunately that'll never happen at least not in this life R.I.P captain

[@user-ss4ek3zo4d]

i feel in love with this man, he’s smart, creative, handsome, nerdy. the whole package 😂 rest in peace to a wonderful soul. i wouldn’t be who i am today without spongebob ❤ thank u stephen and everyone around him who believed in him! now nickelodeon needs to respect his creation enough to end spongebob and stop making offshoot shows, but regardless old spongebob will always live in my heart

[@andymcclurg9916]

This was an excellent tribute, thank you

[@wrgblackheart]

Happy 25th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants

[@tishsmiddy71]

I love your look when you say there a animal after the blender ... 🤟🏻❤️ thank you ☺️

[@tishsmiddy71]

RIP . ❤️💋🤟🏻

[@A_random_NPC]

Thank you Stephen.

[@zonzink]

I remember spending hours drawing Spongebob when I was younger; it’s what got me in to drawing

[@otiesdriftwood]

Great job. He was a creative guy

[@ghostlyjudge]

this is perfect

[@Bladez5]

Good job man

[@mogensschmidt2498]

Stephens family would abselutly love this

[@tishsmiddy71]

Thank you ☺️ The longest running show for children and people of all ages !

[@steveithn9372]

What really gets to me is that Stephen explaining how him seeing a child with a bootleg Spongebob bag really puts into perspective as to how much his show was impactful not only to himself but to children outside in the real world. Reminder that Stephen had the intention of having the first Spongebob movie be the ending to the show, but Nickelodeon was very interested and invested in Spongebob that they couldn't let him end the show, so maybe we should be thankful to Nickeloden for not allowing the show to end since now the ending we want is for all characters to fulfill their dreams and changes. Imagine if Nick allowed Spongebob to end that early, it probably wouldn't be as memorable as it is now, and despite many saying that the first 3-4 seasons were the golden seasons, the later seasons is what allowed upcoming children and adults to notice the show and enjoy it, thus Spongebob would turn out more recongizable and become the flagship show for Nickelodeon as it is today.

[@oppositionguerrilla6129]

Rest in peace childhood hero.

[@onikaconstantine8861]

I really think Stephen is a good man ❤👍

[@AGamingEntity]

You can really tell he's such a genius

[@PhilVernon595]

Stephen hillenburg was americas version of shigeru miyamoto

[@deontebelladonna6486]

He was gone way too Early RIP

[@marcusteo1049]

五年半前我就想念他了。

[@NathanielCanty-wp7fp]

I love Stephen Hillenburg for creating SpongeBob SquarePants and working as a director on Rocko’s modern life with creator Joe Murray until he took Joe Murray’s place in season 4 Stephen Hillenburg was the reason why SpongeBob is a funny and creative show because after the first movie him and the rest of the animators left in season 4 and the quality of the show dropped dramatically

[@sammyjaohnson5631]

He was still their time to time approving certain stuff but he official returned around 2015 all the way to a couple months before his passing

[@NathanielCanty-wp7fp]

@sammyjaohnson5631 but everything was better when he was in charge of the episodes in seasons 1-3

[@rainbowkittenzz244]

Was this the guy into ween or was another creator into ween (ocean man, by ween) used in the end credits of the movie. Killer rock band

[@wynks5456]

He was into 90s alt rock like flaming lips and ween. The shoe tying song is also by ween

[@marshmallowfluff2nd413]

At 3:12 I had no idea that was Steve.🤣 It's honestly weird seeing him with short hair and such a thin appearance knowing that we always know him with wavy hair and slightly pudgy figure. It's almost rare honestly and somewhat uncanny. Not trying to make fun of his appearance here just saying it's just very different for me.🤔😅😆

[@gavinc.morrison1147]

lowkey had a hand in raising an entire generation.

[@DavidPeartFan2003]

R.I.P.

[@BIackhole]

08:08 im not a child anymore but i will never lose the child inside me, thanks to spongebob squarepants - my absolute favorite cartoon character of all times (my bad english)