SpongeBob SquarePants creator dies At 57

Muscat: The creator of the iconic cartoon series 'SpongeBob SquarePants' - Stephen Hillenburg - has died, US TV giant Nickelodeon confirmed.
In a statement posted online, the company said, "We are sad to share the news of the passing of Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants. Today, we are observing a moment of silence to honor his life and work.
"Thank you, Stephen Hillenburg, for all the laughter and joy you've brought us over the years."
Hillenburg, born in 1961, was a former marine biology teacher. He left academia to work in animation and in 1993 began working with Nickelodeon as a writer and director for 'Rocko's Modern Life' and 'Rugrats'. Later, Hillenburg created SpongeBob, which premiered in 1999. The series went on to become a global hit, with over 250 episodes aired over the course of its near two decade run. The show has also been dubbed in 60 languages worldwide.
Hillenburg also wrote, produced, and directed 'The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie' which went on to make $140 million USD worldwide.
The Lawton, Oklahoma native was a nine-time Emmy nominee for SpongeBob.