The family and friends of Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of 'Spongebob', have paid him one final emotional homage. After his death on the 26th November, due to complications with the motor neuron disease with which he suffered, the director's ashes were scattered into the sea off of the coast of California.
Hillenburg was the mastermind behind one of the most iconic animation series in recent years, 'Spongebob Squarepants', in which the main character lived "in a pineapple under the sea" in the fictional city of Bikini Bottom. To have his ashes rest in the place which he held so dear to him, and which he celebrated with the rest of the world, has to be the best farewell possible.
Spongebob, a Global Icon
Hillenburg created the the iconic character at the start of the 90s, but he wasn't made famous until 1999, when he made his debut in his own series on Nickelodeon. As well as an ongoing series on television, several films were made starring these characters, all of which were vastly successful. In a statement, the network praised his work as "a reminder of the value of optimism, friendship and the limitless power of imagination".
Now Hillenburg can rest in the world at bottom of the sea, alongside his beloved characters.
