Tom Kenny

About Tom Kenny

Thomas James Kenny (born July 13, 1962, in East Syracuse, New York) is an American voice actor and comedian perhaps best known for his work in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, in which he is the voice of SpongeBob, the narrator, and Gary among others. Aside from voice acting, Kenny starred in the short-lived Fox sketch show, The Edge and was a cast member of the HBO sketch comedy program, Mr. Show, where he worked with Jill Talley, whom he subsequently married. He also hosts the show Funday Night at the Movies on TCM. This show tries to encourage kids to watch "old movies." Kenny got his start in comedy performing stand-up with people such as Wendell E. Wild Jr. and Barry Crimmons. He is good friends with voice over actors Bill Fagerbakke and Clancy Brown.

Tom Kenny was the lead singer for a Syracuse-based rock band, The Tearjerkers, in the early-1980s. He replaced original vocalist Buddy Love. Other members of The Tearjerkers included Charlie Robbins, Dave DeCirce, and Dave Soule, who is still active in the central New York music scene. One of The Tearjerkers' roadies would also go on to fame: Bobcat Goldthwait. "Syracuse Summer" was the group's best-known song, which is included on The History of Syracuse Music, Volume XII and XIII. The record also contains early recordings by Ronnie James Dio, under the names "Ronnie and the Red Caps" and "Ronnie Dio and the Prophets." The Tearjerkers did not become a national act.

Kenny played a role in a Smashing Pumpkins music video. He appeared in the 1996 video for "Tonight, Tonight," in which he and his wife (Jill Talley) play a young couple taking their honeymoon on the Moon. The video won six MTV Video Music Awards. Kenny also appeared in the music video for "Sing" by Travis.