He was the loudest, grumpiest, and most beloved geriatric superhero under the sea. If you grew up watching SpongeBob SquarePants, you definitely remember the "EVIL!" screams. But when you ask who voiced Mermaid Man, the answer isn't just a name on a credit roll. It’s a legacy of Hollywood royalty meeting an absorbent yellow sponge.
Ernest Borgnine. That’s the guy.
He didn't just "do a voice." He breathed life into a character that was basically a parody of Aquaman and Batman, yet somehow became more iconic than both for a whole generation of kids. Borgnine was a powerhouse. An Oscar winner. A tough guy. And yet, he spent the last decade and a half of his life wearing a seashell bra in a recording booth. Honestly, it’s one of the best "second acts" in show business history.
The Oscar Winner in Bikini Bottom
It’s kinda wild when you think about it. Before he was hunting down the Dirty Bubble, Ernest Borgnine was winning an Academy Award for Best Actor in Marty (1955). He was the quintessential "tough but tender" actor. He played heavy roles in The Dirty Dozen and The Wild Bunch. He was a household name long before Stephen Hillenburg even dreamed up a pineapple under the sea.
So, how did a 1950s cinema legend end up as the voice of a washed-up superhero?
Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob, wanted Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy to sound like real old-timers. Not actors doing old voices, but guys who actually had that gravelly, lived-in resonance. He reached out to Borgnine and Tim Conway—who had starred together in the 60s sitcom McHale’s Navy—to reunite as the dynamic (and slightly senile) duo.
Borgnine reportedly loved the role. He didn't look down on it. He didn't treat it like a paycheck. He brought the same intensity to yelling about Krabby Patties that he brought to his dramatic film roles.
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Why the Voice Worked So Well
The magic of Borgnine’s performance was the contrast. One minute, Mermaid Man is napping in the Mermalair; the next, he’s triggered by the word "evil" and turns into a frantic warrior. Borgnine had this specific, raspy tremolo in his voice that felt authentic.
When you look at the sessions, Borgnine was often seen in the booth with his signature wide grin, laughing at the absurdity of the scripts. He wasn't just a voice actor; he was the anchor for the show’s more surrealist humor.
The Chemistry with Tim Conway
You can't talk about who voiced Mermaid Man without talking about Barnacle Boy. Tim Conway was the perfect foil.
Their real-life friendship spanned decades. Because they already had a shorthand from McHale’s Navy, their comedic timing was effortless. In the world of SpongeBob, Barnacle Boy was the cynical realist, and Mermaid Man was the chaotic optimist.
There’s a famous story about the recording sessions where the two of them would go off-script, making the producers laugh so hard they had to stop the tape. That kind of chemistry is rare in animation, where actors often record their lines separately. Borgnine and Conway frequently recorded together, which is why those arguments about "The Invisible Boatmobile" feel so genuine. They were just two old friends bickering for a paycheck.
What Happened After Ernest Borgnine Passed?
Ernest Borgnine died in 2012 at the age of 95. He worked right up until the end.
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For the fans, it was the end of an era. The show faced a massive dilemma: do you recast a legend or retire the character?
The producers mostly chose the latter. Out of respect for Borgnine’s massive contribution, Mermaid Man was largely retired from speaking roles. You might see him in the background of a scene or in a comic book within the show, but that booming voice? Gone.
There were a few instances where archive recordings were used, and in the prequel series Kamp Koral, different actors have stepped in to voice younger versions of the character. But for the main series, the consensus was clear. You don't replace Ernest Borgnine.
Recasting and Tribute
In some later appearances, Joe Whyte and other voice artists have filled in for minor grunts or background needs, but the "Official" voice of Mermaid Man will always be Borgnine. The show even aired a dedicated marathon in his honor after he passed. It was a rare moment where the industry paused to acknowledge that a cartoon character was more than just a drawing—it was the final masterpiece of a cinema giant.
Fun Facts About the Mermaid Man Voice Sessions
- The "EVIL!" catchphrase: Borgnine didn't just say it; he practically attacked the microphone. He once mentioned in an interview that he channeled his old drill sergeant energy for those outbursts.
- Initial Hesitation: Some sources suggest Borgnine’s grandkids were the ones who really pushed him to take the role. They wanted to hear Grandpa on their favorite show.
- The Laugh: That wheezy, high-pitched laugh Mermaid Man does? That was 100% Borgnine’s natural laugh. He didn't have to put on a character for that part.
Why It Still Matters Today
We live in an era of celebrity voice casting where big names are often thrown into movies just for the marketing. It usually feels flat. But Borgnine was different. He became the character.
He understood the heart of Mermaid Man: a hero who refused to believe his time was over. In a way, that mirrored Borgnine’s own career. He never stopped working. He never lost his sense of wonder.
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When you go back and watch episodes like "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy V," you see the range. He goes from being a confused old man in a cafeteria to a leader of a superhero team. It’s a masterclass in voice acting.
How to Appreciate the Legacy
If you want to truly understand the impact of the man behind the mask, there are a few specific things you should do. First, go back and watch the Season 1 episode "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy." It’s the introduction. Listen to how Borgnine plays the "forgetfulness" without making it sad—he makes it hilarious.
Next, watch Marty. It’s black and white. It’s a drama. It’s the polar opposite of SpongeBob. Seeing the same man who won an Oscar for playing a lonely butcher also play a guy who fights crime with a "Small of Fate" gives you a massive appreciation for his talent.
Lastly, look up the behind-the-scenes footage of the SpongeBob 10th-anniversary documentary. You can see Borgnine in the studio. He’s wearing a Hawaiian shirt, he looks like he’s having the time of his life, and he’s treatng the 20-something-year-old writers with total respect.
Ernest Borgnine didn't just voice a character. He gave Mermaid Man a soul. That’s why, decades later, we’re still asking about the man behind the "Evil!" scream.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the SpongeBob SquarePants "Superfriends" episodes for the best examples of Borgnine's comedic range.
- Look for the McHale’s Navy clips on YouTube to see the original spark between Borgnine and Conway.
- Support the preservation of classic animation by watching these episodes on official platforms to ensure the credits—and the actors' legacies—remain visible for the next generation.