The creator of the animated series "Sponge Bob Square Pants" Stephen Hillenberg died at the age of 57, reports Variety.

The cause of death was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which was diagnosed in an animator in March 2017.

Nickelodeon, which broadcasts the animated series about Sponge Bob, expressed condolences over the death of Hillenberg. Representatives of the channel noted that his original characters and the Bikini Bottom universe will always be reminded of "the values ??of optimism, friendship and the unlimited power of imagination".

“Steve filled the Sponge Bob Square Pants series with a unique sense of humor and naivety that brought joy to whole generations of children and families around the world,” the company said.

Stephen Hillenberg began his animator career in 1987. From 1993 to 1996 he worked on television as a director and screenwriter for the Nickelodeon show New Life Rocco..

The first episode of the SpongeBob cartoon series was released on May 1, 1999.. Currently, the series has about 250 episodes.. The show has received many awards and has been translated into more than 60 languages..

Recall that earlier in the Network appeared a teaser trailer remake of the savanna ruler.