Tom Kenny, known for voicing SpongeBob SquarePants, has also provided voices for several minor characters in Futurama.

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? It’s SpongeBob SquarePants, a character voiced by the talented Tom Kenny.

Most people recognize Kenny for his role as SpongeBob, the cheerful, childlike sea sponge who resides in a pineapple in Bikini Bottom. Since its debut in 1999, “SpongeBob SquarePants” has become one of Nickelodeon’s most iconic shows. SpongeBob, who works as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab, is known for his relentless optimism and infectious enthusiasm. The show has continued to be popular, with occasional feature films and spinoff series. The show’s creator, Stephen Hillenburg, passed away in 2018.

While Kenny’s portrayal of SpongeBob is perhaps his most famous role, his career extends far beyond this character. Kenny’s interest in comedy began in elementary school, where he befriended future comedian Bobcat Goldthwait. As teenagers, they performed together at open-mic nights, adopting the stage names Tomcat and Bobcat. Kenny eventually moved into film and stand-up comedy.

Kenny’s career in comedy and voice acting includes appearances on the sketch comedy show “The Edge” and roles in various animated series such as “What-a-Mess,” “Rocko’s Modern Life,” and the “Dumb and Dumber” TV show. To date, he has amassed nearly 400 voice acting credits across a wide range of projects

Tom Kenny’s Roles in “Futurama”

Tom Kenny’s first role on “Futurama” was as the Resin-Offering Robot in the episode “Fear of a Bot Planet.” In this episode, Fry (voiced by Billy West) and Leela (voiced by Katey Sagal) are sent to a planet inhabited entirely by robots. The robots are suspicious of humans and perceive them as dangerous. Fry and Leela disguise themselves in garbage cans to blend in. When Fry needs to relieve himself, a robot mistakes his act for a coolant leak and offers to seal it with hot resin. Fry tries to explain that the “leak” will stop soon on its own.

Kenny’s debut on the show involved voicing a robot offering an unconventional solution to Fry’s predicament.

In “The Cyber House Rules” (April 1, 2001), Kenny voiced Dr. Adlai Atkins, a cosmetic surgeon who helps Leela, who has one eye, get a second one. Leela, previously mocked for her single eye, is initially thrilled with her new appearance. However, her relationship with Dr. Atkins becomes complicated as his obsession with normalcy and average appearances begins to create tension. Eventually, Leela decides to return to her original appearance.

Kenny’s most prominent role came in “The Luck of the Fryrish” (March 11, 2001), where he voiced Yancy, Fry’s older brother. The episode features a flashback to the year 1999, revealing the sibling rivalry between Fry and Yancy. Fry discovers what he believes to be evidence that Yancy had stolen his identity and used his good luck charm to become successful. The episode concludes with a touching revelation that changes Fry’s perspective.

Other Roles Voiced by Tom Kenny

Tom Kenny took on several minor roles in “Futurama.” He voiced a computerized judge in “Fear of a Bot Planet” and a sewer mutant in “The Luck of the Fryrish.” In “Raging Bender” (February 27, 2000), Kenny voiced the Masked Unit, a professional wrestling robot with a dual identity. The Masked Unit could appear as an unassuming robot but transform into a formidable fighter with laser eyes. Kenny provided the voice for both the less imposing and the more aggressive versions of this character.

In the same episode, Kenny also voiced Abner Doubledeal, the unscrupulous manager of the Robot Fighting League. Doubledeal later reappears in “A Leela of Her Own” (September 14, 2003) as a baseball manager, a nod to the historical figure Abner Doubleday. After baseball, Doubledeal transitions to managing Butterfly Derbies in “The Butterjunk Effect” (July 18, 2012), a sport where competitors in winged suits collide mid-air. Leela and Amy (voiced by Lauren Tom) become champions in this sport, though they resort to steroids to achieve their success.

In “Free Will Hunting” (August 8, 2012), Kenny voiced Dean Suspendington. The episode explores Bender’s existential crisis as he questions his free will. Bender briefly attends college, where he gets expelled for criminal behavior and causing damage, including $9,000 worth of damage to Dean Suspendington’s property.

Kenny’s most recent appearance in “Futurama” was as Yancy in “Game of Tones” (August 14, 2013). He continued to voice Yancy in flashbacks throughout the series, whenever the writers needed the character.