Wednesday, August 12, 2020

‘SpongeBob’ Voice Actors Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke React to SpongeBob’s Sexuality Following Viral Tweet Celebrating Pride Month

Back in June, Nickelodeon took to social media to celebrate Pride Month by sharing photos of LGBTQ+ characters from some of its most popular series.


In the post that blew up social media, the network shared three photos featuring transgender actor Michael D. Cohen from Henry Danger, Avatar Korra, from The Legend of Korra, who is bisexual, and the beloved SpongeBob SquarePants.

Many Twitter users felt it was confirmation that SpongeBob is part of the queer community, prompting the hashtag #SpongeBobIsGay to start trending.

ET Canada’s Carlos Bustamante caught up with Tom Kenny And Bill Fagerbakke, stars of The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On The Run, this week to chat about how they feel about representing the LGBTQ+ community with the iconic character.


“Cartoon characters are always broad strokes, you never know. Bugs Bunny is just Bugs Bunny. Daffy Duck, whatever, SpongeBob’s the same, but I do think from the very beginning SpongeBob and Patrick, it’s really been about being who they are,” Kenny shares.

The 58-year-old voice actor continues: “It’s just okay, this is who I am, this is where I’m at, so deal with it. I’m nice to people, so I think people have always responded to that aspect of them, that they let their freak flag fly and don’t even think about it.”

Adding, “I think it’s really powerful for people. They don’t even think of it in those terms, I don’t think when you’re a kid watching, in those terms. But if you like SpongeBob and his friends, it’s kind of an inclusive vibe that they give off.”

Meanwhile, Fagerbakke says, “I think it comes down to the honesty of the characters, and the honesty of the relationships. It’s all founded, and I think my fellow cast members bring so much to the show and that resonates.”

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run will open in theatres across Canada on August 14. In the U.S., the movie will debut debut digitally via premium video on demand in early 2021 and then move exclusively to CBS All Access. For fans outside North America, the movie will debut on Netflix (including in Canada).

More Nick: CBS All Access to Premiere 'Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years' During Early 2021!

Originally published: Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 21:24 BST.
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