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SpongeBob SquarePants Is 'Autistic,' Says Voice Actor Tom Kenny: 'That’s His Superpower'

Tom Kenny, who voices SpongeBob SquarePants in the hit animated series, confirmed the beloved character is 'autistic.' He recalled a time a child asked and without hesitation, he answered, 'Of course!'

At the 2024 Motor City Comic Con in Detroit, the famed voice actor explained that SpongeBob is autistic. During a Q+A session, a video posted to ToonHive's X account captured Kenny as he recalled the time he first revealed his character’s neurodivergence. Bill Fagerbakke, who is the voice behind Patrick Star, said he didn’t know if the Nickelodeon comedy was going to hit until he saw his kids react to it.

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