Alexander Gould, best known as the voice of Nemo in the 2003 Pixar blockbuster Finding Nemoreturns to the spotlight after years of absence from acting.
In a frank conversation with PeopleGould discussed how his early experiences as a child actor shaped him and what’s next as he reconnects with fans and the industry.
At just six years old, Gould was chosen from thousands of children auditioning to voice the curious clownfish.
“I was in a group of two or three thousand kids, I think they told me they had auditioned,” he recalls.
What he didn’t realize at the time was that he had landed the title role in a film that would become a cultural phenomenon, grossing more than $940 million worldwide and establishing itself as a Pixar classic.
Speaking of a year after the audition, he waited.
“That year, it was just kind of waiting. And then I came in and booked the role and they brought me in to do a rough taping. I still didn’t really know what role it was going to be in the movie,” Gould recalled.
“I knew it was a big Pixar movie, so that was already exciting. And we asked them, ‘What role does he play?’ And they were like, “Oh, it’s Nemo, the main character.” » “
Recording for the role took three years, followed by promotional tours that introduced Gould to the whirlwind of fame.
“I didn’t know I was going to be recording for the next three years and voicing the main character in this movie,” he said.
He also reflected on the surreal experience of growing up in “very adult spaces” while still a child.
After Finding NemoGould moved into real action.
Notably playing Shane Botwin in the Showtime black comedy Weeds. The transition from family entertainment to avant-garde television was brutal.
“I always joke about it because it’s funny, I went from probably the most family-friendly movie of all time to probably the least family-friendly show,” Gould laughed.
“This is the first time I’ve opened up and talked about my experience growing up in Hollywood,” he explained.
For Gould, being Nemo remains a defining moment.
“I was able to be a part of a film that is honestly a classic. I was able to tour across the country and talk to the fans and I still do that to this day. It’s just such a special thing to be a part of this project,” he said.
His upcoming podcast will feature conversations with other former child actors, aiming to shed light on the challenges and lessons of growing up in the entertainment industry.
