A couple weeks ago the New York Times ran an excellent profile of Tom Kenny, the voice behind SpongeBob SquarePants. As the show became popular, people started to spot Kenny when he goes out and began acting completely inappropriately due to his new-found fame as this bizarre anecdote makes clear,
It’s good that Mr. Kenny understands idiocy, because fame has a way of turning people around him into dolts.
Last July 4, Mr. Kenny’s father died unexpectedly. He returned to Syracuse for the wake and was overwhelmed, he said, when dozens of people lined up to share their memories. Mr. Kenny will never forget that day, which he compares to a scene from “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
But unfortunately, he will also never forget one woman who approached him, offered condolences, and then reached into her handbag and pulled out a “SpongeBob” CD.
“She said, ‘I hope this isn’t inappropriate, but could you sign this?’ ” Mr. Kenny recalled, shaking his head. “I mean, the only thing that would have been more inappropriate is if I leaned over and used my father’s forehead to steady myself as I signed.”
Unbelievable.
Source:
Father and Son, Soaking Up Affection. Amy Wallace, New York Times, June 15, 2003.