By . Ruth Styles for MailOnline . She travels the world with her entourage, is loved by millions and is so recognisable that she's regularly stopped in the street: Welcome to the world of Grumpy Cat, the most famous feline on the planet. But while her famously cross looks might have made her name, her increasingly lucrative brand is all down to her agent, cat specialist Ben Lashes, 35. Currently in Canada where TV movie Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever is being filmed, Lashes is bubbling over with plans for the future, starting with a Channel 4 documentary starring the sad-faced feline that airs tonight. Man with a plan: Ben Lashes is the manager behind the internet phenomenon that is Grumpy Cat . But while the documentary has wrapped, the film has not and Lashes declares that he is thrilled with the way it's turning out. 'It's crazy,' he drawls gleefully down the phone from Toronto. 'Last night, we had race car that we crashed into a Santa village and thanks to Hollywood magic, Grumpy is in the car.' Grumpy, real name Tardar Sauce, was actually nowhere near the crashed car but that doesn't matter to her legions of fans who range in age from nine months to 90. Such inter-generational appeal means big bucks for Lashes and Grumpy's owners, siblings Tabatha and Bryan Bundesen, and a family-friendly brand of the sort to make advertisers salivate. Unsurprisingly, Grumpy has gone on to star in numerous ad campaigns, among them US cat food brand Friskies, as well as appearing on official merchandise that ranges from hoodies to 'Grumppuccino' coffee. Superstar: Grumpy Cat, real name Tardar Sauce, has feline dwarfism and a permanently sad face as a result . In demand: Grumpy Cat and her owner Tabitha Bundesen appear at the MTV Movie Awards . But she's not the only the only client of Lashes - real name Benjamin Clark - to be doing well from internet stardom. Also on his books are Nyan Cat, a cartoon feline with the body of a pop tart, and Keyboard Cat, which shot to posthumous fame thanks to a video which showed it playing the piano. Human clients include Scumbag Steve, the shifty looking star of a rap album cover that went viral, and Ridiculously Photogenic Guy aka Zeddie Little, a Charleston runner who shot to fame after a snap of him finishing a marathon proved popular online. This, he says, is a route to becoming a star that is becoming ever more routine and, he adds, isn't just for cats and runners. 'Look at [Justin] Bieber,' he explains. 'We know his name because he got famous on Youtube, as did Psy and Gangnam Style. 'On Youtube you see actors, . actresses and musians finding their audience through an online video. It probably . won't take over completely from the traditional route but it makes it easier for talent to rise to the top.' Grumpy Cat is a good example of how online fame can translate into big business but Lashes says he has no plans to take on any other cats - unless, of course, they have Grumpy's 'star quality'. 'I don't go after every cat that comes . out and I haven't picked up a new cat since Grumpy and perhaps I never will,' he confesses. 'My business is more than just cats but cats happen to run the internet. It feels like a . special moment where cats are overtaking the rest of the entertainment . industry.' And that couldn't be more true in Grumpy's case. 'It's been a bit of a whirlwind career,' admits Lashes, who is estimated to have made a 'low six-figure sum' from his involvement with the cat so far. 'She has two books, a movie, she's the . spokescat for Friskies, she has merchandise, although Grumpy herself has been really relaxed through it all.' Fame: Keyboard Cat, real name Fatso, achieved posthumous fame after this 1984 video went viral in 2007 . Not so grumpy: Grumpy's A Grumpy Book made the most of her mulish looks but she is actually very friendly . So what makes the perfect Hollywood cat other than a docile temperament. According to Lashes, it's all about a Monroe-esque magic. 'I've never been someone who's called up . every mildly famous cat on the internet,' he insists. 'I'm very picky. To be worth it, . they have to already be an icon. 'When I first saw Grumpy Cat, she was instantly, to me, something you . could never forget. So I think that the ones I care about and the ones . that have the potential to have a brand are the special ones. 'Not every . cat can do it and become a celebrity just like not every human can become a celebrity. A certain amount of it is magic - the . thing that makes the Beatles more than four guys playing in a basement. 'All the icons have that - there's a bit of that cosmic aura about them. That's the kind of thing Grumpy Cat has and she brings smiles to everyone.' And Lashes isn't exaggerating. Book signings attract huge crowds while appearances on shows such as Good Morning America send ratings soaring. No wonder Lashes is pleased. So what's next for the world's most famous cat? Lashes isn't telling. 'I'm planning to have this movie finished . up in the next few weeks, we'll take a break in the fall and then . unveil it to the world in late November as a Christmas gift for all of Grumpy Cat's . fans. 'For next year, people are going to just have stay tuned.' Ben and Grumpy Cat appear on Star Paws: The Rise of Superstar Pets, tonight at 9pm on Channel 4 .
Ben Lashes is a Hollywood agent who has Grumpy Cat on his books .
Other clients include Nyam Cat, Keyboard Cat and Scumbag Steve .
Says the key quality needed for greatness is a bit of Monroe-style magic .
Thinks going viral will become an increasingly common route to fame .
Currently filming Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever, a TV movie .
By . Ruth Styles for MailOnline . She travels the world with her entourage, is loved by millions and is so recognisable that she's regularly stopped in the street: Welcome to the world of Grumpy Cat, the most famous feline on the planet. But while her famously cross looks might have made her name, her increasingly lucrative brand is all down to her agent, cat specialist Ben Lashes, 35. Currently in Canada where TV movie Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever is being filmed, Lashes is bubbling over with plans for the future, starting with a Channel 4 documentary starring the sad-faced feline that airs tonight. Man with a plan: Ben Lashes is the manager behind the internet phenomenon that is Grumpy Cat . But while the documentary has wrapped, the film has not and Lashes declares that he is thrilled with the way it's turning out. 'It's crazy,' he drawls gleefully down the phone from Toronto. 'Last night, we had race car that we crashed into a Santa village and thanks to Hollywood magic, Grumpy is in the car.' Grumpy, real name Tardar Sauce, was actually nowhere near the crashed car but that doesn't matter to her legions of fans who range in age from nine months to 90. Such inter-generational appeal means big bucks for Lashes and Grumpy's owners, siblings Tabatha and Bryan Bundesen, and a family-friendly brand of the sort to make advertisers salivate. Unsurprisingly, Grumpy has gone on to star in numerous ad campaigns, among them US cat food brand Friskies, as well as appearing on official merchandise that ranges from hoodies to 'Grumppuccino' coffee. Superstar: Grumpy Cat, real name Tardar Sauce, has feline dwarfism and a permanently sad face as a result . In demand: Grumpy Cat and her owner Tabitha Bundesen appear at the MTV Movie Awards . But she's not the only the only client of Lashes - real name Benjamin Clark - to be doing well from internet stardom. Also on his books are Nyan Cat, a cartoon feline with the body of a pop tart, and Keyboard Cat, which shot to posthumous fame thanks to a video which showed it playing the piano. Human clients include Scumbag Steve, the shifty looking star of a rap album cover that went viral, and Ridiculously Photogenic Guy aka Zeddie Little, a Charleston runner who shot to fame after a snap of him finishing a marathon proved popular online. This, he says, is a route to becoming a star that is becoming ever more routine and, he adds, isn't just for cats and runners. 'Look at [Justin] Bieber,' he explains. 'We know his name because he got famous on Youtube, as did Psy and Gangnam Style. 'On Youtube you see actors, . actresses and musians finding their audience through an online video. It probably . won't take over completely from the traditional route but it makes it easier for talent to rise to the top.' Grumpy Cat is a good example of how online fame can translate into big business but Lashes says he has no plans to take on any other cats - unless, of course, they have Grumpy's 'star quality'. 'I don't go after every cat that comes . out and I haven't picked up a new cat since Grumpy and perhaps I never will,' he confesses. 'My business is more than just cats but cats happen to run the internet. It feels like a . special moment where cats are overtaking the rest of the entertainment . industry.' And that couldn't be more true in Grumpy's case. 'It's been a bit of a whirlwind career,' admits Lashes, who is estimated to have made a 'low six-figure sum' from his involvement with the cat so far. 'She has two books, a movie, she's the . spokescat for Friskies, she has merchandise, although Grumpy herself has been really relaxed through it all.' Fame: Keyboard Cat, real name Fatso, achieved posthumous fame after this 1984 video went viral in 2007 . Not so grumpy: Grumpy's A Grumpy Book made the most of her mulish looks but she is actually very friendly . So what makes the perfect Hollywood cat other than a docile temperament. According to Lashes, it's all about a Monroe-esque magic. 'I've never been someone who's called up . every mildly famous cat on the internet,' he insists. 'I'm very picky. To be worth it, . they have to already be an icon. 'When I first saw Grumpy Cat, she was instantly, to me, something you . could never forget. So I think that the ones I care about and the ones . that have the potential to have a brand are the special ones. 'Not every . cat can do it and become a celebrity just like not every human can become a celebrity. A certain amount of it is magic - the . thing that makes the Beatles more than four guys playing in a basement. 'All the icons have that - there's a bit of that cosmic aura about them. That's the kind of thing Grumpy Cat has and she brings smiles to everyone.' And Lashes isn't exaggerating. Book signings attract huge crowds while appearances on shows such as Good Morning America send ratings soaring. No wonder Lashes is pleased. So what's next for the world's most famous cat? Lashes isn't telling. 'I'm planning to have this movie finished . up in the next few weeks, we'll take a break in the fall and then . unveil it to the world in late November as a Christmas gift for all of Grumpy Cat's . fans. 'For next year, people are going to just have stay tuned.' Ben and Grumpy Cat appear on Star Paws: The Rise of Superstar Pets, tonight at 9pm on Channel 4 .
Lashes, 35. Currently in Canada where TV movie Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever is being Man with a plan: Ben Lashes is the manager behind Santa village and thanks to Hollywood magic, Also on his books are Nyan Cat, a cartoon feline with the body of a pop tart, and Keyboard Cat, include Scumbag Steve, the shifty looking star of Charleston runner who shot to fame after a snap online. This, he says, is a route to becoming a been a bit of a whirlwind career,' admits Lashes,