SpongeBob SquarePants has been a Nickelodeon staple since 1999. Surprisingly, the same voice actor still lends his voice to the happy little sponge. Tom Kenny isn’t a well-known name unless you were around for the stand-up comedy boom of the 1980s. But almost everyone recognizes SpongeBob’s voice. Seeing these guys at a comic convention, you might not realize who they are at first.
At Comic Cons, the voice actors hang out with fans to visit, take pictures, and discuss whatever subject comes up. During a recent interview, the SpongeBob voice actors related tales of fan encounters that warmed their innards. Tom Kenny talked about “Strong men, big dudes,” approaching them and tearing up as they asked for hugs.
Rodger Bumpass is the voice actor responsible for the dulcet tones of Squidward Tentacles. He talks about the most common statement he hears from fans: “Thank you for my childhood.”
Bill Faggerbakke, who provides the voice of Patrick Star, recounts the most poignant story from a fan. The conversation was with a 15-year-old girl at the con. She told him she had been through a period of severe depression and had thoughts of taking her own life. She confessed that the show made her want to keep living. After hearing that deep confession, Bill saw the young girl’s mother standing behind her, sobbing.
The Actors Behind The SpongeBob Voices Shaped A Generation
Very few people alive have gone through life without exposure to cartoons. For older generations, it was Saturday mornings with Tom and Jerry, the Roadrunner, and Wylie Coyote. Now, there are cartoons available 24/7. The characters are more complex, and the storyline continues from one episode to the next. But cartoons do indeed have an effect on our children.
It is heartwarming to hear these stories from the actors. Tom Kenny added that this isn’t just one Comic Con. He emphasized that these types of reactions happen again and again with fans everywhere. There is a reason why these cartoons are still going strong after 25 years. If you are a SpongeBob fan and this touched your heart, please share.
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