Meet James Martin, the First Actor With Down Syndrome to Win an Oscar

When James Martin was born, doctors told his parents that he might never speak. However, he did not only learn to speak, but 31 years later, on his birthday, he walked on Hollywood’s biggest stage to collect his Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film, An Irish Goodbye. James became the first actor with Down syndrome to win an Academy Award. And, as icing on the cake, the entire audience sang “Happy Birthday” to him.

James Martin never let his condition hold him back.

James Martin’s father, Ivan Martin, is very proud of his son and revealed that he does everything with great gusto, and he’s very glad that his efforts have paid off.

“He has spent his life pushing the envelope. People are very good at saying, ’You can’t do this, and you can’t do that’… He’s done it, and he does it consistently,” he said.

Martin is the first person with Down syndrome to win not just a BAFTA but an Oscar too, and he’s very proud of himself. “It doesn’t matter if you have Down syndrome, as long as you’re doing what you do. I do what I can to be funny,” he said.

His girlfriend also supports him and says the win was a magical moment. “It shows to everyone that it’s changing your mindset on how people with disabilities can achieve as much as everyone else can,” she declared.

For the past 10 years, Martin has been working at Starbucks.

His co-workers and manager at Starbucks are very proud of Martin and his acting success, and to support him, good-luck posters were placed in the coffee chain’s city stores.

However, Martin’s dad revealed that despite the fame, he doesn’t see his son quitting his job as a barista anytime soon.

Martin caught the acting bug after he joined the Belfast-based Babosh theatre company for children with learning disabilities.

There, Martin did all types of shows, and he enjoyed every moment spent there. This was a stepping stone for him, as he later managed to land the lead role in Ups and Downs, starring alongside actress Susan Lynch.

Martin then went on to land a role in the series, Marcella, but his role in An Irish Goodbye, which won him both a BAFTA and an Oscar, is his most high-profile role to date.

Preview photo credit MICHAEL TRAN/AFP/East News, An Irish Goodbye / First Flights and co-producers

We need your prayers for ‘Victor Newman’

The 82-year-old actor, best known for playing businessman Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless, announced to his fans that he has received a cancer diagnosis.

While convalescing from knee replacement surgery, he received the heartbreaking diagnosis.

One of the most well-known actors in daytime television, Braeden, disclosed in a 13-minute Facebook Live session on Friday that he had prostate problems that later proved to be cancer. “I started having issues with my prostate while I was healing from the knee surgery,” he stated. “I apologize for being so direct, but I believe some older guys who might or might not listen to this could benefit from this. It will occur to them.

Following a successful UroLift surgery—a therapeutic option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—doctors were able to remove the malignancy. The actor, who was born in Germany, is currently undergoing a six-week immunotherapy regimen.

He said, “I’m feeling a little under the weather, but not really much.” “I’ve learnt to not push myself too hard and to pay more attention to my body. I will understand. And I’ll soon be back to my best.

“I’m going to lick this,” Braeden said. “I’m going to get it; this bastard isn’t going to get me.”

Regarding his almost 40-year tenure on The Young and the Restless, Braeden stated it’s what keeps him going. That’s where I am at the moment, he remarked. “I enjoy entertaining people by acting. I appreciate your help. Thus, offer your support to any family member who experiences this. It might succeed. You can survive cancer these days because to the tremendous advancements in cancer treatment.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Braeden revealed that performing helps him forget about his health problems and that he feels content when he knows he entertains others.

His character was originally intended to be a guest character on the show for eight to twelve weeks, but he has developed into the main male character in the soap opera.

We hope Eric Braeden gets over his health problems and wish him all the best that life has to offer.

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