SpongeBob SquarePants is the protagonist of the popular Nickelodeon animated television series of the same name. He was designed by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg, and is voiced by Tom Kenny. He is a naïve and goofy sea sponge who works as a fry cook in the fictional underwater town of Bikini Bottom. He also spends his days hanging out with his best friend Patrick Star, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, Sandy Cheeks and his snail Gary.