SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series and media franchise. It is currently Nickelodeon's highest rated show, the most distributed property of MTV Networks, and among Nicktoons Network's most-watched shows.[1]. It was created by artist, animator and former marine biologist Stephen Hillenburg, and is produced through United Plankton Pictures Inc.
SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny); the title character of the series. SpongeBob is a hyperactive, energetic, and optimistic sea sponge (although his appearance more closely resembles a kitchen sponge) who lives in a pineapple under the sea. He has a pet snail named Gary, who meows like a cat. SpongeBob works as a successful fry cook at The Krusty Krab fast-food restaurant.
Patrick Star (voiced by Bill Fagerbakke); SpongeBob's neighbor and best friend. Patrick is a pink starfish who lives under a rock. He is commonly portrayed as having low intelligence and is largely unemployed throughout the series.
Squidward Tentacles (voiced by Rodger Bumpass); SpongeBob and Patrick's other neighbor. Squidward is an arrogant and egotistical octopus who lives in a moai and dislikes his neighbors (especially SpongeBob) for their child-like behavior. He enjoys playing the clarinet, but his skills with it are rather mediocre. Squidward works as a cashier at The Krusty Krab.
Sandy Cheeks (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence); another close friend of SpongeBob. Sandy is a land squirrel from Texas. She lives in an underwater dome in Bikini Bottom. She was sent there to do scientific research for her chimpanzee bosses. Sandy is an expert at karate. When not inside her tree-dome, she wears an astronaut-like suit that enables her to interact with ocean-dwelling creatures, while providing a supply of oxygen.
Mr. Eugene Krabs (voiced by Clancy Brown); the founder and owner of The Krusty Krab restaurant. Mr. Krabs is an extremely cheap, greedy crab and an ex-Navy officer. He is constantly seeking new ways to earn more money no matter how low he sinks to, but at the same time is too cheap to spend barely a dime, which often iratates his teenage daughter, a whale named Pearl. Despite his eccentric habits, he is held in high regard by SpongeBob, and in turn acts as a father-figure of sorts toward his prized fry cook.
Sheldon Plankton (voiced by Mr. Lawrence); Mr. Krabs's arch enemy who owns a low-rank fast-food restaurant called The Chum Bucket across the street from The Krusty Krab. Plankton is a small, green, one-eyed copepod, whose size is often the cause of his constant failures. He spends most of his time plotting to steal the recipe for Mr. Krabs's popular Krabby Patty burgers. Only in the movie does he succeed; the formula is never actually revealed to the audience. Plankton's computer wife, Karen, alternately helps him in his schemes or bickers with him.