As 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Turns 25, Meet the Faces Behind the Characters

Tom Kenny, Sirena Irwin, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Vincent Waller, Bill Fagerbakke, Ramsey Naito, Doug Lawrence, Carolyn Lawrence, Marc Ceccarelli and Jill Talley attend the Variety 10 Animators To Watch on July 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. — From left: Tom Kenny, Sirena Irwin, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Vincent Waller, Bill Fagerbakke, Ramsey Naito, Mr. Lawrence, Carolyn Lawrence, Marc Ceccarelli and Jill Talley attending the 'Variety' 10 Animators to Watch event on July 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. Photo:
Rich Polk/Variety/Getty

On July 17, 1999, kids found a new best friend in a cheerful yellow sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea.

It was the day the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on Nickelodeon. The show took viewers to the marine city of Bikini Bottom and introduced millions of children — and adults — to its titular cartoon character. Since then, SpongeBob and his many aquatic friends have made the series a billion-dollar franchise and an international phenomenon with fans of all ages.

"My kids grew up with SpongeBob being both the family business and also the biggest thing in the world with their classmates,” Tom Kenny, who voices the series’ lead character, told PEOPLE in February 2024. “And maybe because our faces aren't in it, they were always able to enjoy SpongeBob as something separate and apart from their dumb old parents. That was really good."

Although most watchers are familiar with the animated characters on the show, few know the voices that bring them to life. To celebrate 25 years of SpongeBob SquarePants, let’s spotlight the actors behind one of the most popular cartoons ever made.

01 of 11

Tom Kenny as SpongeBob SquarePants

Daytime Emmy winner Tom Kenny — the voice of the sponge himself, SpongeBob SquarePants — has more than 590 IMDb credits to his name, primarily for voice acting. Apart from his voice-over work, Kenny has appeared on screen in films like Scary Movie 3 (2003), Sky High (2005) and Battle of the Sexes (2017). He’s also a talented comedian and the lead vocalist of Tom Kenny & the Hi-Seas, which, according to the group's Instagram page, is a 13-piece “rockNsoul” party band.

02 of 11

Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick Star

Although Bill Fagerbakke is best known for voicing SpongeBob’s best friend, Patrick Star, he’s had small-screen success in front of the camera. He most notably played assistant football coach Michael “Dauber” Dybinski on Coach from 1989 to 1997, as well as depicted Marshall’s beloved dad, Marvin, on How I Met Your Mother for 12 episodes. Fagerbakke has also appeared on popular shows like Black-ish, Young Sheldon and Dynasty and in such movies as Jennifer’s Body (2009) and The Artist (2011).

03 of 11

Rodger Bumpass as Squidward

You may recognize Rodger Bumpass as the voice of the short-tempered Squidward — for which he won a Daytime Emmy in 2012 — but he’s also had voice-acting credits on CatDog, Rugrats, Invader Zim and Teen Titans. Apart from voicing characters in such films as Toy Story 2 (1999), Spirited Away (2001), Lilo & Stitch (2002) and Cars (2006), Bumpass appeared in John Carpenter’s sci-fi action movie Escape from New York (1981) and the Arnold Schwarzenegger-led dystopian flick The Running Man (1987).

04 of 11

Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs

Before lending his voice to the cranky Mr. Krabs since the show’s inception, Clancy Brown had already established himself as a serious actor with film credits like The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and Dead Man Walking (1995). Besides voicing his crabby character on SpongeBob SquarePants, Brown has continued to step in front of the camera, appearing on shows like The Goldbergs, Billions, Dexter: New Blood and Gen V and in the 2023 blockbuster John Wick: Chapter 4.

05 of 11

Mr. Lawrence as Plankton

Douglas Lawrence Osowski, known professionally as Mr. Lawrence, doesn’t just voice the pint-sized Plankton on the show — having also voiced Larry the Lobster, Fred and other recurring characters — but he’s also one of its longtime writers. Additionally, Osowski has worked behind the scenes on many other popular animated series, such as The Ren & Stimpy Show, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy and Rocko’s Modern Life.

06 of 11

Dee Bradley Baker as Bubble Bass and Squilliam Fancyson

Dee Bradley Baker attends the 2017 Princess Grace Awards Gala Kick Off Event on October 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. ; ubble Bass in 'Spongebob Squarepants'. — Dee Bradley Baker arriving at the 2017 Princess Grace Awards gala kick-off event at Paramount Pictures on Oct. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles; Bubble Bass on 'SpongeBob SquarePants'.
JB Lacroix/WireImage; Nickelodeon

With more than 680 IMDb credits to his name, Dee Bradley Baker has an extensive background in voice-acting beyond his work on SpongeBob SquarePants. Although he’s voiced characters like Bubble Bass (pictured) and Squilliam Fancyson on the beloved Nickelodeon series, he’s also done voice work on series like American Dad!, Mickey and the Roadster Racers and Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?. He has an impressive video game voice-over catalog as well, including The Legend of Korra and Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.

07 of 11

Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy Cheeks

Besides voicing the anthropomorphic squirrel Sandy Cheeks, Carolyn Lawrence built her résumé with other popular animated entities. Jimmy Neutron fans might recognize her as the voice behind Cindy Vortex; she also voiced Mandragora in Winx Club: The Secret of the Lost Kingdom (2012). Outside of her long voice-acting career in the entertainment industry, Lawrence is an established real estate agent in Glendale, Calif., according to Zillow.

08 of 11

Sirena Irwin as Margaret SquarePants

Sirena Irwin arrives at the 2017 Princess Grace Awards Gala Kick Off Event on October 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. — Sirena Irwin arriving at the 2017 Princess Grace Awards gala kick-off event at Paramount Pictures on Oct. 24, 2017, in Los Angeles; Margaret SquarePants on 'SpongeBob SquarePants'.
Greg Doherty/Getty; Nickelodeon

Sirena Irwin has voiced the character of SpongeBob’s mom, Margaret SquarePants, since the show’s debut — though you might’ve heard her as Lady Fish too. She’s also given her voice to Lois Lane on Batman: The Brave and the Bold and the character Sibylla on Winx Club. Beyond SpongeBob Squarepants, Irwin has also worked as a voice director and casting director and has appeared on shows like The Drew Carey Show, Entourage and Butter Face.

09 of 11

Jill Talley as Karen

Jill Talley is best known for voicing Plankton’s sentient computer wife, Karen, on the beloved series. She’s also done voice acting work on The Powerpuff Girls, American Dad! and The Boondocks and has appeared on Seinfeld. For 26 episodes, Talley played various characters on the ‘90s sketch comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David, hosted by (and starring) Bob Odenkirk and David Cross.

10 of 11

Lori Alan as Pearl Krabs

Lori Alan isn’t just known for voicing Mr. Krab’s teenage whale daughter, Pearl Krabs. Her voice-acting credits span decades, including animated series like The Fantastic Four, Hey Arnold! and Family Guy (voicing Diane Simmons). Alan also lent her voice to Bonnie’s mom in the Toy Story movies. Apart from her voice work, she’s had small-screen roles on Law & Order, Friends, Shameless and Curb Your Enthusiasm, among other shows.

11 of 11

Mary Jo Catlett as Mrs. Puff

Mary Jo Catlett voices SpongeBob’s beloved yet worrisome driving instructor, Mrs. Puff. Before joining the SpongeBob SquarePants family, Catlett performed in off-Broadway and Broadway musicals, including originating heiress Ernestina Money in the 1964 production of Hello, Dolly! You might recognize her from shows like Foul Play and General Hospital and for depicting Pearl on Diff’rent Strokes. Beyond SpongeBob, Catlett has also had guest parts on That’s So Raven and Glee.