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Stephen Hillenburg Biography

Birth Name:Stephen Daniel Hillenburg

Birth Place:Lawton, Oklahoma, United States

Profession Soundtrack, Writer, Producer, Director, Actor, Art department, Animation department, Music department

Fast Facts

Before a career in animation, Hillenburg worked as a marine biologist and teacher
Studied natural-resource planning at Humboldt State University and experimental animation at the California Institute of the Arts
Quote: "Our characters act silly, even totally ridiculous at times, and most of our jokes don't come out of pop culture references․ It seems like we're aiming at a child audience, but everyone can laugh at the basic human traits that are funny․ It's playful, the humor is playful, the world is playful․ You can kind of let go․"
Quote: "Working as a marine science educator, I had the chance to see how enamored kids are with the undersea life, especially tide pool creature․ By combining this knowledge with my love of animation, I came up with Spongebob Squarepants․"
Cites Jacques Cousteau and Max Fleischer as inspirations
Named the "Spongebob Squarepants" character Karen after his wife
Enjoys surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling during his free time

1995CableACE-Animated Programming Special or Series: nominated
2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Children's Program: nominated
2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): nominated
2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): nominated
2005Annie-Directing in an Animated Feature Production: nominated
2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): nominated
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour): nominated
2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class - Short-Format Animated Programs: nominated
2010Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Animated Program: winner
2011ASCAP Award-Top TV Series: winner
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Short-Format Animated Program: nominated
2012ASCAP Award-Top Television Series: winner
2012Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Children's Animated Program: nominated
2013ASCAP Award-Top Television Series: winner
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Short Form Animated Program: nominated
2018Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Children's Animated Series: winner
2019BAFTA Children's Award-International Animation: nominated
2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Short Form Animated Program: nominated