Stephen Hillenburg, American animator, voice actor, and marine science educator (born 1961)

Stephen McDannell Hillenburg was an American animator, writer, producer, director, voice actor, and marine biology educator. Hillenburg was best known for creating the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants for Nickelodeon in 1999. The show has become the fourth longest-running American animated series. He also provided the original voice of Patchy the Pirate's pet, Potty the Parrot.