SpongeBob SquarePants star Tom Kenny reveals his cartoon alter ego is autistic: 'That's his superpower'

SpongeBob SquarePants star Tom Kenny revealed that his cartoon alter ego is autistic in a newly-unearthed video from his May 19th appearance at Motor City Comic Con in Novi, MI.

'SpongeBob's kind of on the spectrum too as a character,' the 62-year-old voiceover actor said in the video tweeted by X user @DominoDeerGirl on Tuesday.

'This last con that I did in McAllen, TX - it was the first time I'd ever been asked this question — a person who was obviously on the spectrum came up to me and said, "I have a question for you, Tom Kenny. Is SpongeBob himself autistic?" [I replied] "Of course!" I said, "You know what? That's his superpower, the same way that's your superpower."'

Tom's announcement came 11 years after he said on WTF with Marc Maron Podcast: 'I don't know what there is in that show that talks to kids that are on the autism spectrum, but more than other cartoons... because SpongeBob as a character is a little autistic. Obsessed with his job, very hardworking, gets really really deep into something.'

SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg had previously indicated that Krusty Krab fry cook was 'romantic but almost asexual,' which was supported in the 2001 episode 'Pressure' in which he reproduces by budding just like a real sea sponge.

SpongeBob SquarePants star Tom Kenny revealed that his cartoon alter ego is autistic in a newly-unearthed video from his May 19th appearance at Motor City Comic Con in Novi, MI

The 62-year-old voiceover actor said in the video posted by X user @DominoDeerGirl on Tuesday: 'SpongeBob's kind of on the spectrum too as a character. This last con that I did in McAllen, TX - it was the first time I'd ever been asked this question — a person who was obviously on the spectrum came up to me and said, "I have a question for you, Tom Kenny. Is SpongeBob himself autistic?"'

The marine biologist and animator tragically passed away, at age 57, in 2018 after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

2024 marks the 25th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants and Kenny - who also voices Gary, the French narrator, and Patchy the Pirate - is frequently approached by fans who thank him for 'their childhood.'

'It's incredible. I mean, things like that happen all the time,' the two-time Daytime Emmy winner gushed on CBS Sunday Morning on July 7.

'SpongeBob lets his freak flag fly. He is who is, and it's amazing that folks find that very empowering that are now grown-ups or or even little kids now.'

Tom noted: 'If SpongeBob was nothing but optimistic that wouldn't be a very good show so SpongeBob does get down in the dumps. SpongeBob does get discouraged. SpongeBob does feel sad but he bounces back he he comes back you know, "Well there's always tomorrow!"'

On July 13, Kenny and co-star Bill Fagerbakke - who voices SpongeBob's BFF Patrick Star - virtually co-hosted Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards, which was dedicated to the 25th anniversary.

On February 11, the New York native and Fagerbakke donned motion-capture gear to serve as virtual correspondents in real time at the alternative, family-friendly Super Bowl LVIII telecast on Paramount.

Last September, SpongeBob SquarePants was officially renewed for a 15th season, which will likely premiere in either October or November on Nickelodeon.

Tom continued: '[I replied] "Of course!" I said, "You know what? That's his superpower, the same way that's your superpower"'

Kenny's announcement came 11 years after he said on WTF with Marc Maron Podcast: 'I don't know what there is in that show that talks to kids that are on the autism spectrum, but more than other cartoons... because SpongeBob as a character is a little autistic. Obsessed with his job, very hardworking, gets really really deep into something' (pictured July 13) 

SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg had previously indicated that Krusty Krab fry cook was 'romantic but almost asexual,' which was supported in the 2001 episode 'Pressure' in which he reproduces by budding just like a real sea sponge

2024 marks the 25th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants and the two-time Daytime Emmy winner - who also voices Gary, the French narrator, and Patchy the Pirate - is frequently approached by fans who thank him for 'their childhood'

Tom gushed on CBS Sunday Morning on July 7: 'It's incredible. I mean, things like that happen all the time...SpongeBob lets his freak flag fly. He is who is, and it's amazing that folks find that very empowering that are now grown-ups or or even little kids now'

Kenny noted: 'If SpongeBob was nothing but optimistic that wouldn't be a very good show so SpongeBob does get down in the dumps. SpongeBob does get discouraged. SpongeBob does feel sad but he bounces back he he comes back you know, "Well there's always tomorrow!"' 

On July 13, the New York native and co-star Bill Fagerbakke (L) - who voices SpongeBob's BFF Patrick Star - virtually co-hosted Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards, which was dedicated to the 25th anniversary

On February 11, Tom and Fagerbakke donned motion-capture gear to serve as virtual correspondents in real time at the alternative, family-friendly Super Bowl LVIII telecast on Paramount 

Kenny is next scheduled to bring his rock'n'soul 12-piece band Tom Kenny & The Hi-Seas to The Bowery Electric in Manhattan's East Village on August 4 (pictured April 16)

The meme-making show spawned three feature films - The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004), The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015), and Sponge on the Run (2020) - as well as two spin-off series Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years and The Patrick Star Show.

Tom is next scheduled to bring his rock'n'soul 12-piece band Tom Kenny & The Hi-Seas to The Bowery Electric in Manhattan's East Village on August 4.

On the personal front, Kenny fathered two children - son Mack, 27; and daughter Nora, nearly 21 - from his 29-year marriage to Jill Talley, whom he famously co-starred with in Mr. Show with Bob and David.