It is hard to believe, but SpongeBob SquarePants has been around for 25 years. The franchise got its start back in Summer 1999, and Nickelodeon has never looked back. Over the years, SpongeBob has become a beloved icon to millions of fans regardless of their age. And recently, Tom Kenny, the voice actor of the franchise's titular character, took time to address theories about SpongeBob and his neurodivergency.
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| Tom Kenny has voiced SpongeBob SquarePants since 1999 (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Princess Grace Foundation - USA) |
The discussion took place at Motor City Comic Con recently as Kenny appeared as a guest. During one of his panels, a fan asked the voice actor for SpongeBob whether they felt the sea sponge was on the spectrum. Kenny admitted he hadn't thought so specifically to start but that has changed over the years.
"Children on the spectrum really identify with SpongeBob because he too is on the spectrum as a character," the actor explained. Continuing, Kenny went on to describe the moment he realized SpongeBob was on the spectrum.
"A person who was obviously on the spectrum said, 'I have a question for you, Tom Kenny. Is SpongeBob autistic? Is SpongeBob himself autistic?' I said yes of course, of course he is. I said that is his superpower the same way it is your superpower," Kenny shared.
“SpongeBob’s kind of on the spectrum too as a character,” Kenny says in the clip. “It was the first time I’d ever been asked this question – a person who was obviously on the spectrum came up to me and said, ‘I have a question for you, Tom Kenny. Is SpongeBob autistic?’”
He recalled answering: “‘Of course!’ I said, ‘You know what? That’s his superpower, the same way that’s your superpower.’”
The audience applauds and cheers in response to his explanation.
tom himself said spongebob was on the spectrum at motor city comic con!! i got to see the panel and my dad got this video of it which i had to screen record cuz it was on facebook ðŸ˜tom was really nice to everyone and made sure everyone got to ask their questions!! pic.twitter.com/hpAtPKFaby
— Domino (@DominoDeerGirl) July 22, 2024
It’s not the first time the voice actor, who has voiced SpongeBob since 1999, has spoken about the character being neurodivergent.
Kenny previously told Marc Maron’s WTF podcast in October 2012: “I don’t know what there is in that show that talks to kids that are on the autism spectrum, but more than other cartoons... because SpongeBob as a character is a little autistic. Obsessed with his job, very hardworking, gets really really deep into something.”
In 2018 and 2020, Kenny received the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for his work on SpongeBob.
He has also voiced Heffer Wolfe in Rocko's Modern Life, the Ice King in Adventure Time and its spinoff Fionna and Cake, the Narrator and Mayor in The Powerpuff Girls, Carl Chryniszzswics in Johnny Bravo, Squanchy in Rick and Morty, and Spyro from the Spyro video game series.
Watch the SpongeBob SquarePants Universe, including Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years and The Patrick Star Show on Nickelodeon and Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com.
Listen to The SpongeBob Musical here!
CALLING ALL GOOFY GOOBERS! (ROCK!) Are ya ready for a deep dive into the world of SpongeBob SquarePants? The SpongeBob YouTube channel is THE PLACE for all fan-favorite SpongeBob moments! Subscribe now at https://www.youtube.com/SpongeBobOfficial!
CALLING ALL GOOFY GOOBERS! (ROCK!) Are ya ready for a deep dive into the world of SpongeBob SquarePants? The SpongeBob YouTube channel is THE PLACE for all fan-favorite SpongeBob moments! Subscribe now at https://www.youtube.com/SpongeBobOfficial!
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