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