10 Things You Didn't Realise Inspired Iconic Movie Voices

Andy Serkis' mesmerising performance as Gollum in The Lord of the Ring trilogy allowed the British actor to become one of the most celebrated voice actors of all time.

Ironically, Serkis had virtually no experience in voice-acting before his audition. So, what did he do to stand out? The answer is - he did an impression of his cat.

You see, Gollum's name is derived from his habit of making a "Gollum" sound when he coughs. While Serkis brainstormed how he was going to convey this action in a natural way, one of Serkis' cats, Diz, strolled into the room and violently hocked up a fur ball. Serkis was fascinated by how his pet's entire body contorted while getting sick and so, replicated the motion in his audition every time Gollum coughed.

Even though Serkis was only meant to voice the character, the filmmakers loved how he distorted his entire body when he spoke and so, cast him in the physical role as Gollum as well.

So, Serkis' career and motion capture's surge of popularity is all thanks to a cat vomiting. Thanks, Diz.