SpongeBob SquarePants: The True Story Behind Johnny Depp’s Cameo

SpongeBob SquarePants has a long list of guest stars, among those Johnny Depp, who voiced a character in one episode of the series – here’s how Nickelodeon got him to join the fun. Created by Stephen Hillenburg, SpongeBob SquarePants made his debut on Nickelodeon in 1999, and is currently enjoying its 12th season. SpongeBob SquarePants is the most successful Nicktoon to date, becoming one of the longest-running American animated series and also expanding to other media, most notably film.

SpongeBob SquarePants follows the daily adventures of the title character – a sea sponge that actually looks like a kitchen sponge… with pants – and his friends and enemies from the underwater city of Bikini Bottom, among those Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, Squidward Tentacles, and Mr. Krabs. Though the quality of the series has been in decline for years, that hasn’t stopped many actors, actresses, and even musicians from lending their voices (or appearing in the films, as is the case of Keanu Reeves) to some very special characters.

Such is the case of Johnny Depp, who voiced a surfing legend who taught SpongeBob and Patrick how to surf (and tried to teach Squidward too) so they could return to their island. But how did Nickelodeon get Captain Jack Sparrow himself to join the show, at least for one episode?

Johnny Depp (And His Children) Are SpongeBob SquarePants Fans

Johnny Depp voiced Jack Kahuna Laguna in season 6’s episode “SpongeBob SquarePants vs. The Big One”. The story follows SpongeBob and company who after an accident on a surfboard end up scattered in different places: SpongeBob, Patrick, and Squidward land on an island with young surfers, Mr. Krabs ends up in the middle of the Dutchman’s Triangle, and Sandy is taken to a small island in the middle of nowhere. There, Spongebob, Patrick, and Squidward learn that the only way to go back to their land is by surfing, and the locals tell them to find Jack Kahuna Laguna, a.k.a. JKL. The legendary surfer teaches the trio how to surf, and tells them that every 1000 years the perfect wave forms, known as “the Big One”, and it should be the one that sends them home.

Jack Kahuna Laguna is a tan-orange fish with human proportions, and has a striking resemblance to Johnny Depp. Getting a big star like Johnny Depp to voice such a character in SpongeBob SquarePants wasn’t a difficult task: as explained by Nickelodeon’s vice president of talent and casting, Sarah Noonan, Depp accepted the role because he and his kids are fans of the show. Being a successful and long-running TV show certainly has its perks, and that – along with changes behind the scenes, as the addition of guest stars began when Stephen Hillenburg left – has made the cameo appearances of actors like Johnny Depp possible.

About The Author

Adrienne Tyler
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Adrienne Tyler is a features writer for Screen Rant. She is an Audiovisual Communication graduate who wanted to be a filmmaker, but life had other plans (and it turned out great). Prior to Screen Rant, she wrote for Pop Wrapped, 4 Your Excitement (4YE), and D20Crit, where she was also a regular guest at Netfreaks podcast. She was also a contributor for FanSided’s BamSmackPow and 1428 Elm. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Every time she manages to commit to a TV show without getting bored, an angel gets its wings.

When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to learn a new language, watching hockey (go Avs!), or wondering what life would have been like had Pushing Daisies, Firefly, and Limitless not been cancelled. Breakfast food is life and coffee is what makes the world go round.

Guillermo del Toro said “hi” to her once. It was great.

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