Tom Kenny has revealed why he hasn’t stopped playing the titular character ofSpongeBob SquarePantsafter 25 years, explaining the longevity of the animated series. Having first aired in May 1999, the animated series has continued to stand the test of time, with season 14 still airing new episodes on Nickelodeon. Some of thebestSpongeBob SquarePantsepisodeshave seen the titular character and his friends in various comedic situations, standing out for its absurd humor and memorable faces. This has caused the series to become a full-blown multimedia franchise over the last few decades.
Speaking withVariety,Kenny revealed he hasn’t stopped voicing SpongeBob inSpongeBob SquarePantsthanks to the continued evolution of the franchisethrough multiple mediums. The voice actor explained how everything from new shows to Broadway performances have made it constantly fun to portray the lead character. Speaking for himself and Bill Fagerbakke, the voice of Patrick Star, he says they wouldn’t “trade jobs with the biggest movie stars in the world” because of how fun their work is. Check out what Kenny had to say below:
For me, it’s fun to just be a passenger on the “SpongeBob” ride. The spinoffs, the Broadway show, the Super Bowl broadcasts, all these things are happening, and it means the franchise never gets stagnant, you know? It’s still fun to play these same characters that we started 25 years ago because they’re constantly coming up with new ways to reach people. We’re just as giddy about this job as we were 25 years ago. Neither of us [referring to Bill Fagerbakke, voice of Patrick] would trade jobs with the biggest movie stars in the world.
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TheSpongeBob SquarePantsfranchise has always been expanding, from video games likeBattle for Bikini Bottom, to spinoff shows likeThe Patrick Star Show. There have also been more movies produced as of late, with the fourth theatrical movie, theupcomingSearch for SquarePantsset to release in theaters on July 19, 2025. Throughout all these additions to the franchise, Kenny has continued to voice the titular character, alongside all main character voice actors. This includes Fagerbakke’s Patrick, Rodger Bumpass as Squidward, Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs, Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy, and Mr. Lawrence as Plankton.
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These voice roles have extended beyond just core entries in the series, too, with thecast of Netflix’sSaving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Moviebeing the same for all the show’s characters. This reflects not only Kenny’s own passion for being part of the franchise, but the shared feelings his fellow voice actors have for the franchise. Since they’ve all been portraying the same characters for over two decades,their voices have become an integral part of the show, bringing life to all the core residents of Bikini Bottom in the process.
Our Take On Tom Kenny’s Passion For SpongeBob SquarePants
His Time In the Franchise Isn’t Ending Anytime Soon
Given his longevity with the franchise coupled with his love of voicing the lead character, it seems Kenny isn’t planning on leavingSpongeBob SquarePantsbehind anytime soon. As the franchise continues to expand into new movies, spinoff shows, and plenty of other areas for him to lend his voice, it appears there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to bring the titular character to life. With season 14 ongoing and plenty of other content in development, it appears there will be much more for him to perform in as the franchise presses forward.
SpongeBob SquarePants
Cast
Spongebob Squarepants is an animated comedy created by Stephen Hillenburg and starring voices from Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, and Rodger Bumpass. The series revolves around a sea sponge that goes on many misadventures with his friends Patrick, Squidward, and Sandy Cheeks in the lands of Bikini Bottom and the surrounding sea.
