Alex the Lion is a fictional character from the animated film series Madagascar. He is a lion who lives in the Central Park Zoo in New York City and is known for his charismatic personality and love for performing. Alex is often seen as the leader of his group of friends, which includes Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, and Gloria the Hippo. In the films, Alex's journey begins when he and his friends escape from the zoo and find themselves on the island of Madagascar. Throughout the series, he learns about friendship, freedom, and the importance of being true to oneself. His character is voiced by actor Ben Stiller.