If you’ve spent any time on the internet or in front of a TV since 1999, you know that laugh. It’s a high-pitched, staccato "BA-HA-HA" that sounds like a dolphin having a stroke or maybe a seagull on helium. But when you ask who played SpongeBob SquarePants, the answer isn't just a name on a paycheck. It’s Tom Kenny.
Tom Kenny is the guy. He’s the soul of the show. While a lot of voice actors sort of disappear into their roles, Kenny and SpongeBob have become this weirdly inseparable duo over the last quarter-century. Honestly, it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins at this point.
The Audition That Changed Everything
Back in the late 90s, Stephen Hillenburg—a marine biologist turned animator—was trying to pitch a show about a sea sponge. He didn't want a "standard" cartoon voice. He wanted something specific. Hillenburg had worked with Tom Kenny on Rocko's Modern Life, where Kenny played Heffer Wolfe, a dim-witted steer. Hillenburg knew Kenny had the range, but he needed a very specific "type."
Kenny has often told the story of how Hillenburg showed him a drawing of the character. It wasn't the polished, 3D-rendered SpongeBob we see in movies today. It was a sketchy, rectangular guy with big eyes. Hillenburg told him to find a voice that sounded like a "child-man." Think somewhere between Jerry Lewis, Stan Laurel, and a pinch of Pee-wee Herman.
Kenny nailed it.
The voice isn't just about the pitch; it’s about the vibration. Kenny uses this thing called "the vibrato" in his throat. If you try to do it yourself, you’ll probably end up coughing. He can sustain that manic energy for hours in a recording booth, which is honestly a physiological marvel.
It’s More Than Just Tom Kenny
While Kenny is the face (well, the voice) of the franchise, who played SpongeBob SquarePants is actually a bit of a trick question if you look at the international versions or the Broadway stage.
Take the Broadway musical, for instance.
📖 Related: Howie Mandel Cupcake Picture: What Really Happened With That Viral Post
In 2017, a guy named Ethan Slater stepped into the square pants. He didn't just mimic Tom Kenny. That would have been cheap. Instead, Slater brought this insane physical comedy to the role. He had to climb ladders, do splits, and sing high-energy numbers while basically being a human cartoon. He even got a Tony nomination for it. It was a huge risk because fans are protective. If you mess up the SpongeBob vibe, people will let you know. Slater didn't mess it up. He found the heart of the character in a live-action setting, which most people thought was impossible.
The International Army of sponges
If you live in Germany, Santiago Ziesmer is your SpongeBob. In France, it’s Sébastien Desjours. These actors have the monumental task of translating puns that barely make sense in English into their own languages while keeping the rhythm of Kenny’s original performance. It’s a global operation.
The Voice Behind the Other Faces
You can't talk about Kenny without talking about his versatility. Most people don't realize that when they ask who played SpongeBob SquarePants, they're also asking who played Gary the Snail.
Yep. Kenny does the "Meow."
He also voices Patchy the Pirate in the live-action segments. And the French Narrator. And occasionally Hans, the wooden hand. The man is basically half the cast. This isn't just "doing voices." It’s vocal gymnastics. To switch from the optimistic, squeaky sponge to the crusty, pirate-obsessed Patchy in the same session requires a level of control that few people in the industry possess.
Why Tom Kenny Stayed When Others Left
Voice acting can be a brutal business. Studios often swap out actors to save money or bring in "big name" celebrities for movie versions. We saw it with The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Scoob!. But for SpongeBob, they’ve stayed loyal.
There was a moment during the development of The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004) where there was pressure to maybe bring in a "star." Hillenburg fought it. He knew the fans would revolt. You can't replace that specific DNA. Kenny has voiced the character in every single episode, every movie, and every video game for over 25 years.
👉 See also: Austin & Ally Maddie Ziegler Episode: What Really Happened in Homework & Hidden Talents
That kind of longevity is rare. It’s Mel Blanc (Bugs Bunny) levels of iconic.
The Evolution of the Voice
If you go back and watch Season 1, Episode 1 ("Help Wanted"), the voice is actually a bit lower. It’s a little more "surfer guy" and a little less "manic sugar rush." Over the years, Kenny shifted the placement of the voice higher into his nasal cavity.
Is it harder to do now that he’s older?
Kenny says no, but you can hear the strain sometimes in the really high-octane "Goofy Goober" screams. Still, he protects that voice like a professional athlete protects their knees. He drinks a lot of tea. He stays hydrated. He knows that the "SpongeBob money" depends on those vocal cords staying elastic.
The Secret Sauce of the Performance
The reason SpongeBob works isn't because he’s funny. It’s because he’s sincere.
Tom Kenny brings a weirdly emotional vulnerability to a yellow kitchen sponge. When SpongeBob is sad, he’s devastated. When he’s happy, he’s euphoric. There is no middle ground. That lack of irony is what makes the character work in a cynical world.
Kenny has mentioned in interviews—specifically with NPR and The New York Times—that he views SpongeBob as a character who is "asexually optimistic." He’s not trying to be cool. He’s just there to flip burgers and love his friends. Delivering that without sounding annoying is the hardest job in Hollywood.
✨ Don't miss: Kiss My Eyes and Lay Me to Sleep: The Dark Folklore of a Viral Lullaby
Beyond the Sea: Kenny’s Other Roles
If you’re wondering where else you’ve heard the guy who played SpongeBob SquarePants, the list is basically the history of modern animation.
- The Ice King in Adventure Time (A role that showed he could do deep, tragic drama).
- Spyro the Dragon in the original PlayStation games.
- The Mayor in The Powerpuff Girls.
- Dog in CatDog.
- Starscream in Transformers: Animated.
He’s everywhere. If you close your eyes and listen to any cartoon from the last two decades, there is a 40% chance Tom Kenny is in it.
The Tragic Loss of Stephen Hillenburg
In 2018, the creator of SpongeBob, Stephen Hillenburg, passed away from ALS. This was a turning point for the cast. Kenny was the one who gave the tribute at the Emmy Awards. It was a heavy moment. For Kenny, playing SpongeBob isn't just a gig anymore; it's a way to keep his friend’s legacy alive.
There was a lot of talk about whether the show should continue. Some fans felt it should end with the creator. But the "SpongeBob machine" is too big to stop. Nickelodeon knows that as long as Tom Kenny can still hit those high notes, the show goes on.
How to Tell if It’s Really Him
Sometimes you’ll see "fan-made" SpongeBob content or parodies. People try to mimic him. They usually get the laugh wrong. They make it too "choppy." Kenny’s laugh has a musicality to it. It’s actually timed to the rhythm of the scene.
Also, the "crying" sound. SpongeBob’s sob is a very specific, "wa-wa-wa" sound that involves a lot of air being pushed through the nose. If it doesn't sound like a leaky faucet, it’s not Tom.
Understanding the Legacy
To truly appreciate who played SpongeBob SquarePants, you have to look at the impact. This isn't just a kids' show. It’s a cultural touchstone that has birthed ten million memes and defined the humor of an entire generation (Gen Z, looking at you).
If you're a fan or an aspiring voice actor, here are some ways to engage with the history of the role:
- Watch "Help Wanted": Compare the pilot voice to the current Season 14 voice. It’s a masterclass in character evolution.
- Listen to the "SpongeBob BingePants" Podcast: Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick Star) host this. They go behind the scenes and talk about the technical side of the recording sessions.
- Check out "The Tom Kenny & The Hi-Seas": Kenny has a rock-and-roll soul band. Seeing him perform live gives you a sense of where he gets the energy for SpongeBob.
- Study the Broadway Recording: Listen to how Ethan Slater adapted the vocal tics for a theatrical stage. It’s a different beast entirely.
SpongeBob isn't just a drawing. He’s a collaboration between a brilliant animator who left us too soon and a voice actor who found a way to turn a "child-man" voice into a global empire. Tom Kenny didn't just play SpongeBob; he built him, one "I’m ready" at a time.