Tom Kenny: SpongeBob SquarePants — a character with autism?
24 july 2024 в 17:28
Tom Kenny explained that he believes the main character of the animated series «SpongeBob SquarePants» is on the autism spectrum during a recent panel discussion at Motor City Comic Con in Detroit. A clip of Tom, 62, discussing SpongeBob was posted by the ToonHive account on X (formerly Twitter). «SpongeBob is also kind of on the spectrum, as a character», - Tom said at the beginning of the clip.
Tom shared that he thought about this when a fan asked him if SpongeBob is on the spectrum, and he admitted that he believes this is part of what makes the character so great. After the voice actor shared his story, the audience erupted in applause. «It was the first time I was asked this question. A person, obviously on the spectrum, came up to me and said, 'I have a question for you, Tom Kenny. Is SpongeBob autistic? Is SpongeBob autistic as a character?'» he recalled. «I said, 'Yes, of course! Of course, he is!' I said, 'You know what? That’s his superpower! Just like it’s your superpower.'»
This is not the first time Tom has talked about how SpongeBob resonates with children on the autism spectrum. He first opened up about the character being autistic in a 2012 interview with Marc Maron on his WTF podcast. «I don’t know what it is about this show that resonates with kids on the spectrum, but more than other cartoons», - he said, referencing People. «SpongeBob as a character is a little autistic. He’s obsessed with his work, very hardworking, dives into something very deeply».
Tom has been voicing SpongeBob for 25 years. He debuted as the character when the animated series premiered in 1999, but he has also voiced many other beloved cartoons over the years, including «The Powerpuff Girls», - «Rocko's Modern Life», - and «Adventure Time». He has also appeared in live-action series such as «Mr. Show». He has also made personal appearances in the «SpongeBob» series as Patchy the Pirate
Tom shared that he thought about this when a fan asked him if SpongeBob is on the spectrum, and he admitted that he believes this is part of what makes the character so great. After the voice actor shared his story, the audience erupted in applause. «It was the first time I was asked this question. A person, obviously on the spectrum, came up to me and said, 'I have a question for you, Tom Kenny. Is SpongeBob autistic? Is SpongeBob autistic as a character?'» he recalled. «I said, 'Yes, of course! Of course, he is!' I said, 'You know what? That’s his superpower! Just like it’s your superpower.'»
This is not the first time Tom has talked about how SpongeBob resonates with children on the autism spectrum. He first opened up about the character being autistic in a 2012 interview with Marc Maron on his WTF podcast. «I don’t know what it is about this show that resonates with kids on the spectrum, but more than other cartoons», - he said, referencing People. «SpongeBob as a character is a little autistic. He’s obsessed with his work, very hardworking, dives into something very deeply».
Tom has been voicing SpongeBob for 25 years. He debuted as the character when the animated series premiered in 1999, but he has also voiced many other beloved cartoons over the years, including «The Powerpuff Girls», - «Rocko's Modern Life», - and «Adventure Time». He has also appeared in live-action series such as «Mr. Show». He has also made personal appearances in the «SpongeBob» series as Patchy the Pirate
© Artemenko Olga
