An American animator, marine science educator, and filmmaker, he is best known for creating the beloved animated television series "SpongeBob SquarePants." Born on August 21, 1961, in Lawton, Oklahoma, he developed a passion for both art and marine biology. He earned a degree in Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation from Humboldt State University and later studied experimental animation at the California Institute of the Arts. His work on "SpongeBob SquarePants" earned numerous awards and became a cultural phenomenon.