The Cast ofSpongeBob SquarePantsAgrees That These Two Stars' Cameos Were Their 'Favorite'

Mar. 15, 2025

Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway; SpongeBob’s Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy.Photo:David Keeler/Online USA;  Nickelodeon

David Keeler/Online USA;  Nickelodeon

In the 25 years sinceSpongeBob SquarePantsfirst graced screens, the cast of voice actors has collected plenty of memories together. But the casting of legendary comedic actorsErnest BorgnineandTim Conwaywas a collective favorite.

“I gotta say, when I walked in the studio and there was Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway to do Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy, I felt like I was 7 years old,” Bill Fagerbakke, a.k.a. the voice of Patrick Star, recounted during the show’s 25th anniversary celebration panel at New York Comic Con on Oct. 18. “I was giddy. That was an incredible moment.”

Mermaid Man (Borgnine) and Barnacle Boy (Conway) were the show’s retired superheroes, who SpongeBob and Patrick convince to come out of retirement early in the first season. From 1999 up until Borgnine died in 2012, the pair gave voice to the geriatric heroes across 15 episodes.

After Borgnine’s death, Conway also retired his animated character, with archive recordings used in later episodes featuring Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy. Conway died in 2019.

The cast of ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ at New York Comic Con on Oct. 18, 2024.Craig Barritt/Getty

Craig Barritt/Getty

“My favorite ones were when Tom Conway and Ernest Borgnine were there," Carolyn Lawrence, the voice of Sandy Cheeks, said too. “What was interesting about them to me is – much like how we [the cast] have become family – they were hilarious together. Like their history together … it was so fun to watch them be friends and play.”

Conway was best known for his various appearances onThe Carol Burnett Showduring its run, as well as voice acting roles acrossSpongeBobspinoffs and the DreamWorks’Dragonfranchise. Borgnine had similar credits, with his most notable role being the titular character in the 1955 Best Picture-winning filmMarty, for which he also won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

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Conway and Borgnine costarred in the 1964 sitcomMcHale’s Navy, which followed a group of sailors using a naval PT boat as a betting parlor. The show was adapted into a film in 1997, though Borgnine was the only member of the original cast to join the production.

“They had not really worked together much since then, but they had remained friends,” Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob, noted at the panel.

“It was kind of cool to fast forward with all those years … they loved the show and they loved us,” Kenny continued. “They had kids and grandkids, and it kinda gave them new relevance with youngins.”

source: people.com