View source for Sandy Cheeks

{{Short description|Fictional animated character from SpongeBob SquarePants}}
{{Pp-pc|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox character
| series = [[SpongeBob SquarePants]]
| name = Sandy Cheeks
| image = Sandy Cheeks (transparent).png
| caption =
| alt = A light brown smiling cartoon squirrel wears a white diving suit with a pink flower on her clear helmet. 
| first_major = [[SpongeBob SquarePants]]
| first_minor = Tea at the Treedome
| first_date = May 1, 1999
| creator = [[Stephen Hillenburg]]
| designer = Stephen Hillenburg
| gender = Female
| occupation = Scientist, inventor, karate master, bodybuilder, mechanic, rodeo champion 
| voice = {{plainlist|
* [[Carolyn Lawrence]]
* Presley Williams (young; ''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run|Sponge on the Run]]'')
}}
| portrayer = [[Lilli Cooper]] ([[SpongeBob SquarePants (musical)|Broadway]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-spongebob-musicals-leadership-message-its-full-of-holes-1531310405|title=Now on Broadway: SpongeBob ChauvinistPants|date=11 July 2018|access-date=24 July 2019|first=Sam|last=Walker|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>
Christina Sajous (television special)
| species = [[Southern flying squirrel|Flying squirrel]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://screenrant.com/spongebob-saving-bikini-bottom-sandy-cheeks-flying-squirrel-mystery-solve/ | title=Netflix's New SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Finally Answers a 25-Year-Old Sandy Cheeks Mystery | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=August 5, 2024 }}</ref>
| nationality = American
| home = [[Houston]], [[Texas]]
| full_name = Sandra Jennifer Cheeks ([[SpongeBob SquarePants (musical)|musical]])
}}
'''Sandy Cheeks'''<!-- Don't put an uncommonly-used full name here, as it is in-universe style--> is a fictional character in the American animated comedy television series ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'' and the [[SpongeBob SquarePants (franchise)|Nickelodeon franchise of the same name]]. She is voiced by [[Carolyn Lawrence]] and first appeared in the episode "Tea at the Treedome", which premiered on May 1, 1999. She was created and designed by [[marine biologist]] and [[animator]] [[Stephen Hillenburg]]. 

Sandy is portrayed as an intelligent [[anthropomorphic]] [[Southern flying squirrel|flying squirrel]] who wears an astronaut-like [[diving suit]] and lives [[underwater]]. She comes from Texas and speaks in a [[Southern American English|Southern drawl]]. Sandy is a member of the Gal Pals, a friend group with [[Plankton and Karen|Karen]], [[Mrs. Puff]], and [[Pearl Krabs|Pearl]].<ref>https://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewfirriolo/spongebob-cast-gal-pals-interview</ref>

Sandy has appeared in many ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' publications, toys, and other merchandise. She also appears in the series' [[SpongeBob SquarePants (film series)|film adaptations]] and [[SpongeBob SquarePants (musical)|stage musical]].

==Role in ''SpongeBob SquarePants''== 
Sandy is a close friend of [[SpongeBob SquarePants (character)|SpongeBob SquarePants]], having met him upon being rescued from a giant clam. She is a proud [[Texas|Texan]] and speaks in a stereotypical [[Southern American English|Southern drawl]]. In order to live underwater, Sandy resides in a bubble-like dome<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nickelodeon.se/nick/whats_on/characters/characterDetail.jhtml?articleId=30049880|title=Sandy - Nickelodeon Sweden|work=[[Viacom International Media Networks Europe|MTV Networks Europe]]|publisher=[[Viacom International]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051018105124/http://nickelodeon.se/nick/whats_on/characters/characterDetail.jhtml;jsessionid=W3MG1WGZDUDW3QFIAIISFE4AVABBEIV0?articleId=30049880|archive-date=October 18, 2005}}</ref> and wears an [[atmospheric diving suit]] when outside her house.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X-oi8LiETHIC&q=Krusty+Krab&pg=PA85|title=Everything I Need to Know, I Learned from Cartoons!|last=Brown|first=Arthur|publisher=Arthur Brown|year=2008|isbn=978-1435732483|location=USA|page=85}}</ref> Inside the treedome, her normal attire consists of a green and purple [[bikini]]. Conversely, as revealed in ''[[Tea at the Treedome]]'', other characters must wear "water helmets" with opposite functionality when visiting her house. Sandy possesses extraordinary scientific skills such as the ability to construct complex inventions.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Chimps Ahoy|series=SpongeBob SquarePants|season=4|number=70b|network=Nickelodeon|airdate=May 5, 2006|credits=Writers: [[Luke Brookshier]], Tom King, [[Steven Banks]]}}</ref> Sandy is shown to possess a number of tough, tomboyish character traits and interests; she is skilled at [[karate]], engages in bodybuilding,<ref>{{cite episode|title=MuscleBob BuffPants|series=SpongeBob SquarePants|season=1|number=11a|network=Nickelodeon|airdate=September 25, 1999|credits=Writers: Ennio Torresan, Jr., [[Erik Wiese]], [[Mr. Lawrence]]}}</ref> and is a [[rodeo]] champion.<ref name="Rodeo">{{cite episode|title=Rodeo Daze|series=SpongeBob SquarePants|season=7|number=138b|network=Nickelodeon|airdate=February 6, 2010|credits=Writers: [[Luke Brookshier]], Nate Cash, Richard Pursel}}</ref> She is also a close friend of [[Patrick Star]], SpongeBob's best friend and neighbor, though she sometimes gets annoyed by him like [[Squidward Tentacles|Squidward]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/spongebob-squarepants-patrick-met-became-friends-how-when/|title=How SpongeBob & Patrick First Met (& How the Story Changes)|website=[[Screen Rant]]|date=July 11, 2021}}</ref>

==History and development==
===Creation and design===
[[Stephen Hillenburg]] first became fascinated with the ocean and began developing his artistic abilities as a child. During college, he majored in [[marine biology]] and minored in art. After graduating in 1984, he joined the [[Ocean Institute]], an ocean education organization, where he had the idea to create a comic book titled ''The Intertidal Zone'', which led to the creation of ''SpongeBob SquarePants''.<ref name="Ocean Institute">{{cite web|url=http://www.ocean-institute.org/|title=Welcome to the Ocean Institute|work=ocean-institute.org|access-date=December 24, 2013}}</ref><ref name=HillenburgInt>{{cite video |people=[[Thomas F. Wilson|Wilson, Thomas F.]](Interviewer); Hillenburg, Stephen (Interviewee) |date=May 29, 2012 |title=Big Pop Fun #28: Stephen Hillenburg, Artist and Animator–Interview |url=http://ec.libsyn.com/p/d/9/8/d98c6fd6cc81f188/BPF28_Stephen_Hillenburg_artist_and_animator.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d01c08031d1c85f7cb2&c_id=4560686 |format=mp3 |medium=Podcast |publisher=[[Nerdist Industries]] |access-date=December 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6M1QBJ1BZ?url=http://ec.libsyn.com/p/d/9/8/d98c6fd6cc81f188/BPF28_Stephen_Hillenburg_artist_and_animator.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d01c08031d1c85f7cb2&c_id=4560686 |archive-date=December 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Hillenburg" /> In 1987, Hillenburg left the institute to pursue a career in animation.<ref name="Hillenburg">{{cite video | people=Hillenburg, Stephen|date=2003|title=The Origin of SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete First Season| medium=DVD|publisher=Paramount Home Entertainment}}</ref><ref name="Banks, p. 9">{{Cite book|last=Banks|first=Steven|others= Gregg Schigiel (Illustrator)|title=SpongeBob Exposed! The Insider's Guide to SpongeBob SquarePants|publisher=Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon|location=[[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]|date=September 24, 2004|isbn=978-0-689-86870-2|page=9}}</ref>

A few years after studying experimental animation at the [[California Institute of the Arts]],<ref name="Banks, p. 9"/> Hillenburg met [[Joe Murray (animator)|Joe Murray]], creator of ''[[Rocko's Modern Life]]'', at an animation festival. Murray offered Hillenburg a job as a director of the series.<ref name="Hillenburg" /><ref name="Murray">{{cite video | people=[[Joe Murray (animator)|Murray, Joe]]|date=2003|title=The Origin of SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete First Season| medium=DVD|publisher=Paramount Home Entertainment}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Makin' Toons: Inside the Most Popular Animated TV Shows and Movies|publisher=Allworth Communications, Inc|author=Neuwirth, Allan|isbn=1-58115-269-8|year=2003|page=[https://archive.org/details/makintoonsinside0000neuw/page/50 50]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/makintoonsinside0000neuw/page/50}}</ref><ref name="TrainorMurray">"[http://www.title14.com/rocko/contributors/murray.html Lisa (Kiczuk) Trainor interviews Joe Murray, creator of Rocko's Modern Life]," ''The Rocko's Modern Life FAQ''</ref> [[Martin Olson]], one of the writers for ''Rocko's Modern Life'', read ''The Intertidal Zone'' and encouraged Hillenburg to create a television series with a similar concept. At that point, Hillenburg had not considered creating his own series, but soon realized that this was his chance.<ref name=HillenburgInt/><ref name="Origin of SpongeBob SquarePants">{{cite AV media|last1=Hillenburg|first1=Stephen|last2=Murray|first2=Joe|last3=Drymon|first3=Derek|last4=Coleman|first4=Eric|last5=Hecht|first5=Albie|date=2003|title=The Origin of SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete First Season| medium=DVD|publisher=Paramount Home Entertainment}}</ref><ref name="Banks, p. 20">{{Cite book|last=Banks|first=Steven|others= Gregg Schigiel (Illustrator)|title=SpongeBob Exposed! The Insider's Guide to SpongeBob SquarePants|publisher=Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon|location=[[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]|date=September 24, 2004|isbn=978-0-689-86870-2|page=10}}</ref> Shortly after production on ''Rocko's Modern Life'' ended in 1996,<ref name=Rocko>{{cite web|url=http://joemurraystudio.com/television/rockos-modern-life/|title=Rocko's Modern Life|publisher=JoeMurrayStudio.com|access-date=May 21, 2013|archive-date=June 15, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615100743/http://joemurraystudio.com/television/rockos-modern-life/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hillenburg began working on ''SpongeBob SquarePants''.<ref name="HillenburgInt" /> Sandy has been shown in the episodes about her being in the tree dome.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cartoonician.com/the-oral-history-of-spongebob-squarepants/ |title=The Oral History of SpongeBob SquarePants &#124; Hogan's Alley |website=cartoonician.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831044034/http://cartoonician.com/the-oral-history-of-spongebob-squarepants/ |archive-date=31 August 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Whenever any aquatic creatures enter her home, they must wear helmets that are filled with water. Sandy works as a scientist, explorer, and inventor. She is also a rodeo champion with a number of athletic interests, such as "sand-boarding" and karate.<ref name="meet-the-gang">{{cite web|title=''SpongeBob SquarePants'': Meet the Gang!|url=http://www.nickelodeon.com.au/fullynick/tvshows/shows/spongebob-squarepants-show|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310224329/http://www.nickelodeon.com.au/fullynick/tvshows/shows/spongebob-squarepants-show|archive-date=March 10, 2008|work=Nickelodeon (Australia and New Zealand) Australia|publisher=[[Viacom International]]}}</ref> Originally, in the pitch bible written by Tim Hill and Hillenburg, SpongeBob originally was a romantic interest for her, but this was quickly put out of the show.<ref>{{Cite book |title=SpongeBoy |last1=Hill |first1=Tim |language=English |last2=Hillenburg |first2=Stephen |date=1997-01-17|pages=27|url=https://archive.org/details/1-a-9c-722d-3e-0}}</ref>

===Voice===
[[File:Carolyn Lawrence (cropped).jpg|thumb|200px|right|Actress [[Carolyn Lawrence]] provides the voice of Sandy Cheeks.]]
The voice of Sandy Cheeks is provided by [[Carolyn Lawrence]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Carolyn Lawrence: Credits|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/carolyn-lawrence/credits/212823|work=TV Guide|access-date=May 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Basile|first=Nancy|title=Voice Behind Sandy Cheeks on SpongeBob|url=http://animatedtv.about.com/b/2006/03/29/voice-behind-sandy-cheeks-on-spongebob.htm|publisher=[[About.com]]|access-date=June 14, 2013|date=March 29, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513034712/http://animatedtv.about.com/b/2006/03/29/voice-behind-sandy-cheeks-on-spongebob.htm|archive-date=May 13, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Lawrence got the role of Sandy when she was in [[Los Angeles]] at [[Los Feliz, Los Angeles|Los Feliz]]. She met Donna Grillo, a [[casting director]], on a sidewalk. Lawrence was with a friend who knew Grillo, and she said Lawrence had an interesting voice. Grillo brought Lawrence in to audition and she got the part.<ref>{{cite web|title=Carolyn Lawrence Exclusive Interview|url=http://www.thestarscoop.com/interviews/carolyn-lawrence-exclusive-interview/|work=The Star Scoop|access-date=June 14, 2013|date=September 17, 2009|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629164232/http://www.thestarscoop.com/interviews/carolyn-lawrence-exclusive-interview/|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=REFANB Interview: Carolyn Lawrence, A.K.A. Ashley Graham|url=http://www.residentevilfan.com/articles/lawrence_interview.htm|work=Resident Evil Fan|access-date=June 14, 2013|archive-date=December 12, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051212032724/http://www.residentevilfan.com/articles/lawrence_interview.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Before a recording, Lawrence prepares when the crew sends a storyboard. She explains, "I absolutely love that! Not only do I get to read the script, I can actually see what the artists have in mind. It is an amazing process and I feel so fortunate to be able to work that way! [...] I would prefer to let the script come alive in me before a taping."<ref>{{cite web|last=Basile|first=Nancy|title=Carolyn Lawrence Sandy Cheeks on 'SpongeBob SquarePants'|url=http://animatedtv.about.com/od/spongebobsquarepants/a/lawrence.htm|publisher=[[About.com]]|access-date=June 14, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513033430/http://animatedtv.about.com/od/spongebobsquarepants/a/lawrence.htm|archive-date=May 13, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Presley Williams voiced young Sandy in ''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sandy – Nickelodeon Sweden|url=http://nickelodeon.se/nick/whats_on/characters/characterDetail.jhtml?articleId=30049880|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051018105124/http://nickelodeon.se/nick/whats_on/characters/characterDetail.jhtml;jsessionid=W3MG1WGZDUDW3QFIAIISFE4AVABBEIV0?articleId=30049880|archive-date=October 18, 2005|work=[[Viacom International Media Networks Europe|MTV Networks Europe]]|publisher=[[Viacom International]]}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{expand section|date=March 2025}}
Film critic [[A. O. Scott]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' said, in his review of ''[[The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie]]'', that Sandy is one of his favorite characters on the show, along with [[Squidward Tentacles]] and [[Mrs. Puff]]. He wrote, "I was sorry to see [them] pushed to the margins".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Scott|first1=A. O.|title=Absorbency Plus Frivolity, a Blend the World Needs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/19/movies/19spon.html?pagewanted=print&position=|access-date=June 5, 2014|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 19, 2004}}</ref>

==In other media==
Sandy has been included in various ''SpongeBob SquarePants''-related merchandise, including board games, books, plush toys, and trading cards. She is also a playable character in several SpongeBob games like ''[[Battle for Bikini Bottom]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Onyett|first=Charles|date=10 September 2008|title=The Game of Life - SpongeBob SquarePants Edition Review|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/10/the-game-of-life-spongebob-squarepants-edition-review}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sandy Cheeks Plush - ShopNickU|url=https://store.nickelodeonuniverse.com/sandy-cheeks-plush/p/7347895|access-date=2021-08-30|website=store.nickelodeonuniverse.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Spongebob Squarepants: Deep Sea Duel (2003)|url=http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/6473/spongebob-squarepants-deep-sea-duel|publisher=[[BoardGameGeek]]|access-date=August 30, 2021}}</ref> Sandy also appears as a playable character in ''[[Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/nickelodeon-all-star-brawl-every-character-confirmed/|title = Every Character Confirmed for Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl|website = [[Screen Rant]]|date = July 13, 2021}}</ref> The [[Sandy's Blasting Bronco]] rollercoaster opened alongside the [[American Dream Meadowlands|American Dream Mall]]'s [[Nickelodeon Universe]] theme park in 2019. This ride is the first attraction to be named and themed after the character. The ride-vehicle is themed to Sandy's rocketship, from the SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Sandy's Rocket."<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Dream |url=https://www.americandream.com/ |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=American Dream}}</ref>

Sandy served as [[sideline reporter]] for Nickelodeon's [[NFL on Nickelodeon|alternate telecast]] of [[Super Bowl LVIII]].

=== ''Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie'' ===
{{Main|Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie}}
A CGI/Live-action hybrid movie starring Sandy titled ''Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie'' was released on [[Netflix]] on August 2, 2024. This film is one of three character-centric SpongeBob movies in development for the streaming platform. The film was initially announced in May 2021, and its title was revealed on November 26, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leston |first=Ryan |date=2022-02-15 |title=Three More SpongeBob SquarePants Movies Are In the Works For 2023 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/three-spongebob-squarepants-spin-offs-in-the-works-for-2023 |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='SpongeBob' Exec. Producers Tease SpongeBob's 25th Anniversary Celebrations in 2024 |url=http://www.nickalive.net/2022/11/spongebob-exec-producers-tease.html |access-date=2022-11-27}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{SpongeBob SquarePants}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cheeks, Sandy}}
[[Category:Anthropomorphic squirrels]]
[[Category:Female characters in animated television series]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from Texas]]
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 1999]]
[[Category:Animated characters introduced in 1999]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with superhuman strength]]
[[Category:Fictional bodybuilders]]
[[Category:Fictional inventors]]
[[Category:Fictional karateka]]
[[Category:Fictional female scientists]]
[[Category:Fictional mechanics]]
[[Category:Comedy film characters]]
[[Category:SpongeBob SquarePants characters]]
[[Category:Female characters in animated films]]
[[Category:Fictional roboticists]]
[[Category:Film characters introduced in 2004]]