![File photo: Stephen Hillenburg, creator of the popular animated series Spongebob Squarepants is interviewed by Reuters in Singapore, January 28, 2005. (Photo/Agencies)
The animator, writer and director revealed he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease (MND), in March 2017. His best-known work was the Emmy-winning Nickelodeon show. Almost 250 episodes have aired.](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2018/11/28/0f47773a504042d6a802d810f5380596.jpg)
File photo: Stephen Hillenburg, creator of the popular animated series Spongebob Squarepants is interviewed by Reuters in Singapore, January 28, 2005. (Photo/Agencies)
The animator, writer and director revealed he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease (MND), in March 2017. His best-known work was the Emmy-winning Nickelodeon show. Almost 250 episodes have aired.
![File photo: Stephen Hillenburg, creator of the popular animated series Spongebob Squarepants is interviewed by Reuters in Singapore, January 28, 2005. (Photo/Agencies)](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2018/11/28/f9e36e0027b149e3bb248262e2358354.jpg)
File photo: Stephen Hillenburg, creator of the popular animated series Spongebob Squarepants is interviewed by Reuters in Singapore, January 28, 2005. (Photo/Agencies)
![File photo:Stephen Hillenburg, creator of the popular animated series Spongebob Squarepants walks along an underpass in Singapore, January 28, 2005. (Photo/Agencies)](http://www.ecns.cn/hd/2018/11/28/1e0bbd1a8b554eed9c27fd8396152e34.jpg)
File photo:Stephen Hillenburg, creator of the popular animated series Spongebob Squarepants walks along an underpass in Singapore, January 28, 2005. (Photo/Agencies)