Fresh Air The voice of SpongeBob, Tom Kenny
Feb 27, 2026
Tom Kenny, veteran voice actor and comedian known as the voice of SpongeBob since 1999, shares how he created SpongeBob’s high, childlike voice and recounts studio hijinks and musical moments. Justin Chang, film critic, discusses the themes and tone of the new film Dreams starring Jessica Chastain. They explore voice technique, cartoon influences, performance stories, and the film’s provocative dynamics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
How SpongeBob's Signature Voice Was Found
- Tom Kenny created SpongeBob's voice by aiming for a childlike, non-age-specific, elfish tone with a nasal, back-of-throat placement.
- He and Stephen Hillenburg experimented (including helium in the pilot) and settled on a dolphin-ish, helium-like laugh and timbre.
Pilot Recording With A Helium Tank
- Hillenburg brought a tank of helium to the studio during the seven-minute pilot to test high-pitched vocal effects.
- Kenny remembers the cast inhaling helium for the pilot anchovy scene, which shaped the show's early vocal play.
Home Focus Groups That Proved The Pilot
- Kenny previewed early animation and did informal focus-group tests by showing the pilot to friends at his house.
- He reports people, especially kids, were entranced and wanted more, which encouraged Nickelodeon to greenlight the series.