Bill Fagerbakke is the stage name of William Mark Fagerbakke, an American actor and voice actor. He is most recognized for his work on the wildly famous Nickelodeon cartoon series “SpongeBob Squarepants.” The program, which has been on television for more than 18 years, has had enormous popularity and has garnered numerous honors, including two Emmy Awards and six Annie Awards. Among his other accomplishments is his portrayal of Michael Dybinski in the American situation comedy series “Coach.” Throughout his career, Fagerbakke has also made several cinematic appearances. Given his success as an actor, many people might be surprised to learn that this was not his first choice of profession. The actor was more interested in sports as a child and wanted to become a successful player. But he was in for a surprise from fate. His sporting aspirations were put on hold due to an injury, so the young guy chose acting as an alternative vocation.
Career of Bill Fagerbakke
In the 1984 movie “Perfect Strangers,” Bill Fagerbakke had his first acting job. Director Larry Cohen oversaw it. He also appeared in “The Secret of My Success” (1987) and “Loose Cannons” over the following several years (1990).
His first notable performance on television was as the title character of the 1989–1997 television series “Coach.” Fagerbakke portrayed Michael Dybinski in the television show. The show was a hit and took home a number of honors, including two Emmys.
He provided the voice for one of the leading roles in the 1994 animated television series “Beethoven.” He had a significant role in the miniseries “The Stand” that same year. It was based on Stephen King’s book of the same name. In the series, King himself had a little part. Over the years, Fagerbakke has appeared in a number of TV episodes and animated series, including “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Dumb and Dumber,” “Oz,” and “The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy.”
He has been voicing the second main character in the well-known animated TV series “SpongeBob Squarepants” since 1999. Over the course of its more than 18-year run, the series has gained a lot of recognition and praise. Six Annie Awards and two Emmy Awards have been won by it.
His 2000s acting credits include roles in “The Night of the Headless Horse,” “Finding Amanda,” “Jennifer’s Body,” and the Academy Award-winning movie “The Artist” (2011). Additionally, he played Marvin Eriksen Sr. in multiple episodes of the 2005–14 television series “How I Met Your Mother.”
Individual Life of Bill Fagerbakke
Bill Fagerbakke was born in Fontana, California, on October 4, 1957. Later on, he relocated to Rupert, Idaho, and enrolled at Minico High School. He was a fantastic athlete who excelled in sports like track, football, and baseball.
Fagerbakke received numerous scholarship offers for college football because of his athletic prowess. He made the decision to enroll at the University of Idaho in Moscow, where he participated in football as a defensive lineman for the Vandals. His athletic career, which was progressing very well, came to a stop when he had a knee injury. The drama “Godspell” was where he got his acting start. At Southern Methodist University, he continued his schooling.
In 1989, he wed Catherine McClenahan. Two kids were born to the couple. However, the union failed, and they separated in 2012.
Bill Fagerbakke’s Net Worth
Fagerbakke, Bill Bill Fagerbakke, an American actor and voice actor, has a $10 million net worth. Bill Fagerbakke, who was born in October 1957, is most known for his voice-based performances in movies and television. Most notably, he played Michael “Dauber” Dybinski on the enduring sitcom Coach and Patrick Star on SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon. He also played Marvin Eriksen, one of the main character’s fathers, in a regular guest role on the cult favorite sitcom How I Met Your Mother. His famed height of 6’6″ is something he also made advantage of as a high school athlete, competing in football, basketball, and track. He even continued playing football in college, where he was given financial support. He is reported to have claimed that his collegiate career consisted of “two years of football and four years of school” following a “redshirt” year and a subsequent injury. He received his diploma in 1981, and in 1984 he began performing professionally. He then began playing a variety of roles in movies and television. He had two children, Hannah and Carson, with actress Catherine McClenahan, whom he married in 1989. Since 2012, he and McClenahan have been apart.