SpongeBob SquarePants voice actor Tom Kenny has addressed a long-standing fan theory that the cartoon character is autistic.
Kenny - who has voiced the Nickelodeon favourite for more than two decades - confirmed that SpongeBob is "kind of on the spectrum" while taking questions at Motor City Comic Con in Detroit earlier this year.
Footage of Kenny, 62, sharing the anecdote was posted by ToonHive on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday.
“SpongeBob’s kind of on the spectrum too as a character,” Kenny says in the clip. “It was the first time I’d ever been asked this question – a person who was obviously on the spectrum came up to me and said, ‘I have a question for you, Tom Kenny. Is SpongeBob autistic?’”
Tom Kenny responds to claim if SpongeBob is autistic:
— ToonHive (@ToonHive) July 23, 2024
“Yes, of course he is! That’s his superpower the way your superpower is.” pic.twitter.com/dkAWkw2bRR
He recalled answering: “‘Of course!’ I said, ‘You know what? That’s his superpower, the same way that’s your superpower.’”
The audience applauds and cheers in response to his explanation.
It’s not the first time that Kenny has broached the subject.
Appearing as a guest on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast back in October 2012, he said: “I don’t know what there is in that show that talks to kids that are on the autism spectrum, but more than other cartoons... because SpongeBob as a character is a little autistic. Obsessed with his job, very hardworking, gets really really deep into something.”
Kenny has voiced the bright yellow character who lives in a pineapple under the sea since 1999.
In addition to SpongeBob, he also voices the characters Gary the Snail, Patchy the Pirate and the French Narrator.
In 2018 and 2020, he received the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for his work on SpongeBob.
