‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ voice actor to face drunk driving charges

Voice actor Rodger Bumpass, best known for his role as Squidward Tentacles on the television show “SpongeBob SquarePants,” is due in court this week on drunk driving charges, officials said.

The 64-year-old Burbank resident was charged with one count each of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood-alcohol level of more than .08%, said Burbank Senior Assistant City Atty. Denny Wei.

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The charges carry an allegation that his blood-alcohol content was greater than or equal to .15%.

Just before 11 p.m. Jan. 15, Burbank police responded to the 400 block of South Fairview Street, where they found Bumpass leaning against a blue PT Cruiser stopped in the middle of the street.

When officers approached, Bumpass walked away and nearly fell.

According to police, Bumpass subsequently failed a field sobriety test. A breath test reportedly showed that his blood-alcohol content was more than double the legal limit.

Bumpass reportedly told police he’d driven to the area and was trying to get home.

He was arrested and released from police custody the following morning with a citation.

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Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @atchek

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