Spongebob Squarepants is one of our beloved nostalgic cartoon shows. The story revolves around a naive enthusiastic sponge, who lives in an underwater Town named Bikini Bottom. Meet Spongebob SquarePants, a yellow sponge, who goes on timeless adventures along with his best friend Patrick the Star. This popular animated series has run on television since the 1990s. And we still remember the iconic laughs from this beloved show. Do you know who voices Spongebob Squarepants? It’s Tom James Kenny.
He’s a renowned voice actor on the Nickelodeon shows. And Known for voicing many classic cartoon characters.
It’s interesting to know Tom Kenny’s fascinating journey along with his other Spongebob co-actors. So are you ready to revisit this popular show?
Image by Angie Johnston from Pixabay Copyright 2015
1. Who Voices Spongebob Squarepants
Tom Kenny started as an American actor and standup comedian during his early struggles. Kenny was part of many television programs, films, and stand-up comedies before he engaged himself in voice acting. Young Kenny enjoyed sketching cartoons, reading comic books, and imitating hysterical characters. Eventually, this fascinating passion turned into a successful career.
He starred in many films like ‘How I Got into College ‘(1989) and later appeared in Shake the Clown (1991). Kenny’s bubbly character got him into many sketchy comedy shows in the 1990s such as ‘ The Edge’, where he met his wife Jill Talley. And Also hosted one of the popular music shows ‘Music News’. The acting career was advancing well but Kenny explored more. And eventually experimented with comical roles.
2. Tom Kenny’s Journey in Spongebob
As a comedian, Kenny enjoys portraying many childlike characters, as he innocently confessed in many interviews. Joe Murray, a director interviewed Kenny for his first role on Nickelodeon. And Kenny played Heffer Wolfe in ‘Rocko’s Modern Life episodes.
Spongebob’s Journey started during this show when he met Stephen Hillenburg, a Marine Biologist, and an animator. With a Marine Science background, Hilen dreamed of creating a unique ocean-themed series. Interestingly, he became fascinated by sea sponges and found them to be strange and funny animals. So he ended up making a popular character out of him, our favourite Spongebob Squarepants of Bikini Bottom.
This Nickelodeon Television series soon became a commercial success. When its episode premiered in 1991, it became an instant favourite among children. Tom Kenny became a recurring voice character in the show. Also popularly known as Patchy the Pirate, a live-action character in the show. And voiced the other characters of the Nickelodeon Spongebob Squarepants series such as Gary the Snail, the French Narrator, and Harold Spongebob (Father Of Spongebob Squarepants).
Kenny once featured on stage as the live-action character Patchy, the Pirate in a special episode of Spongebob’s ‘Christmas Who‘ along with his dog Potty the Pirate.
3. Tom Kenny’s Voice Acting in Other Series
Kenny is Known as a modern-day Mel Blanc. As his hands were full of animated projects in the 1990s. His sketchy and humourous voice suited the roles of Cartoon Characters. And soon got offers for Cartoon Network’s other popular shows. As Joe Murray says Kenny can bring life to roles, therefore he auditioned Kenny for other voice acting roles. And later Kenny portrayed Scoutmaster Lumpus and Slinkman in Camp Lazlo.
3.1 Cartoon Network Shows
Tom Kenny played Town’s Mayor in Powerpuff Girls from the early 90s to 2005. A popular supernatural show on the Cartoon Network. The character’s voice is really funny and distinct. One of the finest acts of Kenny is still remembered in Powerpuff Girls.
He also played the recurring character of Mumbo Jumbo. A worthy villain who appeared in the animated show ‘Teen Titans’ running from 2003 to 2006. Kenny’s Mumbo Jumbo role left viewers in awe with his performance.
Apart from these, Tom Kenny’s known for voicing the iconic villain in the Batman cartoon Mr Penguin. He voiced Penguin, a malicious wealthy businessman in this 2004 television series episode.
His latest works include an animated show called Adventure Time. Tom Kenny in the tv show, played the Ice King. The king wore an ice crown, granting him supernatural powers. Ice King was a goofy antagonist in adventure time, with a sad backstory. That Kenny played well with the right amount of energy.
3.2 Notable Movies
Tom Kenny coupled with his flare pulled off many characters such as in the Xiaolin Showdown. And appeared as Autobots Wheelie and Skids in live-action segments of the legendary Transformers franchise.
Kenny also started to spread his charm in gaming. As he soon started voicing Sypro’s purple dragon role. A protagonist in the video game Sypro 2: Rictos Rage. He replaced Carlos Alzaraqui in 1999 with his child-like voice, blended with emotions and cockiness.
Tom Kenny is a talented actor. He landed countless projects with his witty and bubbly flare.
And effortlessly played many animated roles in cartoon shows. Be it quirky voices or menacing villains. It is marvellous how Tom Kenny breathes life into his characters. His infectious laugh and enthusiasm managed to win millions of hearts worldwide. And this has solidified Spongebob Squarepants’ success. With its growing merchandise, cool games, memes, and theme parks.
4. Other Voices Behind Spongebob’s Iconic Characters
Just as Spongebob Squarepants’ voice actor and character is significant. His dearest friends and neighbours also deserve to be known. Spongebob is incomplete without his notorious and quirky fish friends. So let’s explore who voices Spongebob Squarepants’ iconic characters.
Image by InspiredImages from Pixabay copyright 2017
4.1 Patrick Star
You must wonder what SpongeBob would be like without his friend Patrick Star. With his unique blend of childlike innocence and silliness, this goofy fish Patrick is one of the stars of the show. Patrick is a dumb friend who unintentionally ends up giving bad advice. Bill Flabbergakke is the one who voices Spongebob’s best friend, Patrick the Star. He has also voiced several shows and movies. However, his work as Patrick the Starfish remains popular. Fandoms know Patrick as the comic relief of this show.
4.2 King Neptune
John O Hurley plays King Neptune, who’s married to Queen Amphitrite in Bikini Bottom. John is a multi-talented popular actor, singer, comedian, and host. He is best known for his roles in the television series ‘Seinfeld’ and the film ‘Swing Away’. Neptune King is the supreme ruler of the ocean, majestically pulled off by John O Hurley.
4.3 Krusty Krab
Clancy Brown is the actor who voices Krusty Krab, SpongeBob’s boss. Krusty Krab is a cheap skate business owner whose obsessed with money. Clancy has also done marvellous work on DC Comics’ Star Wars and other renowned shows. For more than fifteen years he has voiced Mr Krab. And played the grouchy Mr Krab.
4.4 Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy
Mermaid Man along with Barnacle Boy are superstars who live in a retired home in the Spongebob Squarepants series. And they are the stars of SpongeBob’s favourite TV show. The only humans who can breathe underwater in this Town. American actor Ernest Borgnine voices the mermaid man. He has an impressive career of six decades in the industry. Also a frequent performer and guest star in various shows and a famous panellist.
Tim Conway voices Barnacle, an elder man. Conway worked as a cast member in McHale Navy and starred in other comedy sitcoms. The opposite personalities of the characters are perfectly depicted in the show. The Mermaid Man is forgettable and the Barnacle Boy is the sensible one.
4.6 Squidward Tentacles
Rodger Bumpass voices this unique squid in the SpongeBob SquarePants series. Mr Squidward is a distinct nosy and ill-tempered neighbour in town. Stephen Hillenburg created Squidward similarly to other characters, as he was inspired by the oceans’ wondrous nature. Rodger Bumpass also voiced purple fish doctor and other animals. And won an Emmy award for his cocky and snobbish Squidward role in 2012.
4.7 Larry the Lobster
Larry the Lobster is a serious guy and a workout fanatic who loves bodybuilding. Larry is a lifeguard and a Man Ray, who saves people from drowning! Douglas Lawrence Osowski is a treasure house of talent and the voice behind Larry the Lobster. Mr Douglas is an amazing actor, comedian, writer, and host. He appeared in other shows such as Rocko’s modern life and Ren and Stimpy’s in the early nineties.
4.8 Sandy Cheeks
Sandy Cheeks is one of the adventurous residents who comes with a burst of action. She is voiced by Carolyn Lawrence, a former actor, and real estate agent in real life. Sandy is a strange native and wears a diving suit in her air-filled dome. She is a talented creature who is a scientist and loves athletics. Before Carolyn played Sandy Cheeks, she featured as the voice of Cindy Vortex in the film Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. She also featured in the spin-off series The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.
Spongebob is also known for other additional voices of Gary the Snail, Plankton, Mr Puffs, Pearl, and many other Bikini Bottomites.
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Conclusion
Spongebob Squarepants is a show filled with quirky aquatic creatures and an amazing plot. Spongebob Squarepants’ narration is what makes this show so legendary! The voices behind the curtains did a commendable job that we’ll always remember. And left a legacy that will live forever.
The show left us giggling in our childhood, hence the dedication towards the craft is a big part of its success. And taught us to be imaginative, positive, and awe-inspired by small things in life just like SpongeBob. So before we bid adieu, shout ‘Spongebob Squarepants‘ and get ready to watch some favourite episodes of this classic show again.
Last Updated on by Laveleena Sharma
