Entertainment

Iconic moment as Belfast actor James Martin became first person with Down Syndrome to enjoy Oscar success

Ross White, from left, James Martin, Tom Berkeley and Seamus O'Hara accept the award for best live action short film for 'An Irish Goodbye' at the Oscars. Picture by AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Ross White, from left, James Martin, Tom Berkeley and Seamus O'Hara accept the award for best live action short film for 'An Irish Goodbye' at the Oscars. Picture by AP Photo/Chris Pizzello Ross White, from left, James Martin, Tom Berkeley and Seamus O'Hara accept the award for best live action short film for 'An Irish Goodbye' at the Oscars. Picture by AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

IT will be remembered as an iconic moment as Belfast actor James Martin became the first person with Down Syndrome to star in an Oscar-winning film.

Wearing a leopard print jacket and velvet bowtie, the star of An Irish Goodbye accompanied his fellow actor Seamus O'Hara and directors Tom Berkeley and Ross White onto the stage to collect the coveted statuette for Best Live Action Short Film.

Speaking after the win as they enjoyed the celebrations on the biggest night in the showbiz calendar, coinciding with James' 31st birthday, he said he had never let his disability stop him pursuing his dreams.

"It doesn’t matter if you have Down Syndrome," he told the BBC.

"As long as you do what you do – and I do what I can to be funny. I’m the first person with Down Syndrome to win not just a Bafta but an Oscar… especially on my birthday, it’s fantastic."

He also said he plans to bring the award home to his drama group in Belvoir, south Belfast.

His girlfriend, Barbara Norris, who along with James is a Mencap NI ambassador, also spoke of her delight that he had achieved Oscar success.

"It was a magical moment, the icing on his birthday cake, he celebrated in style - it was really good," she said.

She added that it "proves to a lot of people out there that no matter what disability you have, and James has proven that".

"I am so proud of him for going through what he has done, but that's just showing to everyone that it is changing your mindset on how people with disabilities can achieve as much as anyone else can," she said.

"I feel like he is living on cloud nine and I feel like he has made a name for himself."

Shot entirely on location in Northern Ireland, the black comedy follows the story of two estranged brothers coming to terms with the death of their mother. James stars as Lorcan, alongside Newry-born actor O'Hara, who plays his older brother Turlough.

Belfast film-maker White said he hoped there was "a bit of legacy" behind An Irish Goodbye.

"I come from Northern Ireland and identity is a complex thing for us, our peace is an adolescent peace, it's a fragile peace always but we are so proud of peace and everyone I know wants to ensure that's protected," he said.

"Our crew for this film, they were from the Republic of Ireland...from Northern Ireland and we are just so proud to have this collaborative way of putting this film together. Hopefully there's a bit of a legacy there but we're just really proud to be representing Northern Ireland."

He added that James had been "the beating heart of our film" and they had wanted to create an "extra special moment" for the actor by getting everyone at the Academy Awards to sing happy birthday.

Co-director Berkeley said it was "the most bizarre and exciting and fulfilling and bizarre again twice experience of all our lives".

"I’m sure that goes for the cast and the crew, because we won an Oscar."