Actor Tom Kenny “Never Meant” to Publicize SpongeBob SquarePants’ Autism

Actor Tom Kenny "Never Meant" to Publicize SpongeBob SquarePants' Autism

As a gamer who grew up with SpongeBob SquarePants as a beloved cartoon character, hearing Tom Kenny’s recent reflections on SpongeBob’s potential autism has struck a chord within me. It feels like we’ve been granted a rare glimpse into the heart and soul of an iconic figure that has touched millions of lives, including my own.


Tom Kenny, best known for voicing SpongeBob SquarePants, clarifies that he didn’t intend for his remarks about SpongeBob potentially having autism, which sparked a buzz on social media recently, to become public knowledge. During Motor City Comic Con 2024 in Detroit, Kenny shared that he had discussed SpongeBob’s neurodivergent traits with a fan. He stated, “SpongeBob has some autistic characteristics too,” noting it was the first time anyone had ever asked him about this aspect of the character, and the audience seemed thrilled by his response.

For the first time, someone posed a question I had never been asked before – a person who appeared to be on the autism spectrum approached me and inquired, “Is SpongeBob autistic? Is SpongeBob characteristically autistic, Tom Kenny?” At the San Diego Comic-Con 2024, speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Kenny shared that he had not intended for this interaction to become public, but when responding, he said, “Absolutely!” He further explained that, much like it’s your superpower, SpongeBob’s character traits could be seen as his own unique abilities.

Actor Tom Kenny "Never Meant" to Publicize SpongeBob SquarePants' Autism

Tom Kenny Reflects on SpongeBob Autism Comments

Kenny admitted he isn’t a medical professional, and SpongeBob is fictional, so he doesn’t have specialized knowledge. However, a young person with autism once asked him if SpongeBob was similar to him. Kenny replied affirmatively, saying they share many characteristics, and both are amazing. He added that this revelation has been empowering for fans who identify with the character. The moment wasn’t intended to be shared publicly but seems to have helped people connect with each other.

25 years ago, Nickelodeon introduced the world to the animated series “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and it’s now celebrating its anniversary. If you want to revisit this popular show, all 13 seasons are available for streaming on Paramount+. This classic cartoon follows the adventures of SpongeBob, a cheerful sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea, along with his friends, whose escapades often end up in a mix of mishaps due to his good-natured but sometimes misguided intentions.

HT – EW

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2024-07-31 02:39