Alexander Gould who voiced Nemo 20 years ago reveals how 'Finding Nemo' became 'a cultural phenomenon'

'After many many months and years of collaborating and working on the film, it all came to fruition,' said Alexander Gould
UPDATED MAY 30, 2023
Alexander Gould's film 'Finding Nemo' was the 2003 domestic box office winner (GMA/ Video Screenshot. Giulio Marcocchi/Getty Images
Alexander Gould's film 'Finding Nemo' was the 2003 domestic box office winner (GMA/ Video Screenshot. Giulio Marcocchi/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Alexander Gould, 29, who provided Nemo's voice in Pixar's acclaimed 2003 animated film 'Finding Nemo', recently opened up about his role in the movie that made the orange-and-white clownfish fish world famous. Gould recalls being "part of such a pivotal piece of film," calling the period prior to the movie's debut a "whirlwind."

"I started working on the film when I was six years old, and so it was three years of recording in the studio, going back and forth to Pixar, going to Disney in Los Angeles, and finally after many many months and years of collaborating and working on the film it all came to fruition," Gould told Good Morning America.

'It was way bigger than we ever thought it was going to be'

"I even remember at the time realizing that it was way bigger than we ever thought it was going to be and a much bigger deal as a film than I had thought it was going to be than my parents had thought it was going to be," said Gould about the film's release before adding "Kind of just taking it all in stride, one step at a time."

Box Office Mojo reports that 'Finding Nemo' was the 2003 domestic box office winner. Along with Gould, other voices in the film included those of Gill, Ellen DeGeneres, and Albert Brooks as well as Willem Dafoe as the forgetful blue tang fish Dory and Albert Brooks as Nemo's father Marlin.

'Ellen was hilarious and very fun and treated me very well'

"Ellen was hilarious and very fun and treated me very well", said Gould while talking about Ellen DeGeneres. When 'Finding Nemo' was released, Gould recalled meeting his co-stars in person for the first time. "Albert was really sweet and kind. I actually ended up working with Albert a lot more on [the television series] Weeds. He played my grandfather for like a whole season, so I got to actually develop a bit of a relationship with him. He's a really, really sweet guy," said Gould.

'I just got to rewatch it with all of them'

Since his role in the 2016 'Finding Dory' sequel, Gould has not acted. Gould as per the outlet said he is frequently requested "to do the voice and then I have to explain that I was, you know, nine years old and my voice has changed a little bit since then." When he was asked how people in his personal life respond when they find out he portrayed Nemo, the actor said he has noticed a shift in his voice. "I have a bunch of nieces and nephews, and I just got to rewatch it with all of them, and they had a blast," Gould said before adding "They're quoting the movie to me and asking me questions about filming it while they're watching, which is very fun."

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Netflix has added all five of Daniel Craig's 007 films to their roster
13 hours ago
Chris Pratt revealed his demand if he had reprise his role as Owen Grady
14 hours ago
The DC head honcho took to Instagram to give the franchise faithful the first look at the antihero
15 hours ago
Jacob Elordi enters the ‘James Bond’ race as fresh talks suggest the search for the next 007 is far from finished.
22 hours ago
Dwayne Johnson’s raw MMA transformation gets a second chance as ‘The Smashing Machine’ hits streaming after a quiet theatrical run.
1 day ago
Early reactions from the trailer suggest Leto is going "all out" to capture Skeletor's classic, over-the-top feel
1 day ago
Directed by Christophe Gans, the horror film, released on January 23, serves as the third installment in the 'Silent Hill' film series
1 day ago
'Road House 2' will be out later this year or the beginning of the following year, featuring Jake Gyllenhaal and plenty of MMA and UFC fighters.
2 days ago
The likes of Cynthia Arvo and Guillermo del Toro missing out on nods made waves as well
2 days ago
Starring 'Narcos' star Wagner Moura, the film earned four nominations, including Best Picture and Actor
2 days ago