SpongeBob SquarePants is autistic, voice actor says
FILE-Spongebob Squarepants and Tom Kenny arrive at the 2017 Princess Grace Awards Gala Kick Off Event at Paramount Pictures on October 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)
Tom Kenny, the voice actor behind SpongeBob SquarePants, revealed that the popular cartoon character is autistic.
A social media video posted to ToonHive’s X account captures Kenny speaking during a Q+A session at the 2024 Motor City Comic Con in Detroit as he remembers a time when he was asked by a fan if SpongeBob is neurodivergent.
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Kenny explained in the video saying, "SpongeBob's kind of on the spectrum too as a character," he said. "It was the first time I’d ever been asked this question — a person who was obviously on the spectrum came up to me and said, ‘I have a question for you, Tom Kenny. Is SpongeBob autistic?’"
Kenny answered, "‘Of course!’" Then, he continued, "I said, ‘You know what? That's his superpower, the same way that’s your superpower.’"
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The voice actor previously mentioned SpongeBob being autistic during an appearance on Marc Maron's WTF podcast in October 2012.
Debuting in 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants is an animated TV series about the misadventures of a talking sea sponge who works at a fast food restaurant, attends a boating school, and lives in an underwater pineapple, per imdb.com.
What is autism?
Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder, is a developmental disability where people with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. These characteristics can make life very challenging. It is important to note that some people without ASD might also have some of these symptoms.
This story was reported from Washington, D.C.