FINVISIBLE BOY

YOU won't know his face ...but this nine-year-old boy will soon have the most famous voice in the world.

Alex Gould is the voice behind the star of Disney's latest blockbuster Finding Nemo.

The animated film has become the top-grossing movie of the year in the US, taking pounds 210million at the box office.

The film, which is released in the UK this weekend, also features the voices of lesbian comic Ellen DeGeneres, US sitcom star Brad Garrett and actor Albert Brooks.

But it's Alex, who plays Nemo, the tiny clownfish who leaves home in search of adventure, who has captured the hearts of audiences.

However, he has not seen much of the profits of the eighth most successful movie of all time. "When I got paid my mum gave me just 30 dollars (pounds 18) to buy a new game for my Gameboy," he says. Mum Valerie laughs: "You don't need any more. What would you buy - a car? The rest is going into your college fund for when you're older."

Alex, from Orange County California, received just pounds 481 for each of his 16 film recording sessions over 18 months. But his total salary will end up at more than pounds 100,000 after royalties from merchandise and DVDs.

Alex says of the film: "It's awesome because they used my facial expressions as well as my voice so it really looks like it's me up there on the screen."

The child star, who has previously appeared in hit US TV shows including Ally McBeal and has been working in showbiz since he was 18 months old, was auditioned for the part when he was just six.

He says: "When I found out that I had got the role, I was so excited I jumped up and down 500 times." From January 2001 to March 2003, Alex went to film-maker Pixar's studio 16 times. He never met his co-stars - other voices include Willem Defoe and Incredible Hulk star Eric Bana.

The first time Alex shook hands with any of them was the Hollywood premiere at the beginning of the summer. He is now the most famous kid on his block. A friend even sold his autograph to fans for five dollars apiece. "My friends think it's really cool to have a 'star' in the neighbourhood."

He already has his next starring role - as the voice of Bambi in the Disney sequel. However, there is one ambition which he still has unfulfilled. "I want to be in the next Harry Potter film. I don't care what the part is. I just want to play any of the characters."

FISHY BUSINESS

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99,079 fish made up the shoals featured in the movie

It took 361,975 feathers to cover the seven pelicans

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