On his 31st birthday, James Martin was serenaded by the audience at the Academy Awards as the movie he starred in won an Oscar.
An Irish Farewell, a film from Northern Ireland, took home the award for best live action short film on Sunday night.
Down’s syndrome sufferer Martin said he intended to present the honour to his Belfast theatre company.
The victory was the happiest night of their life, according to the film’s makers Ross White and Tom Berkeley.
After a chaotic 24 hours, they turned to Twitter to express their gratitude to their Northern Ireland followers.
The best night of our lives…
A birthday that #JamesMartin will never forget!
Our sincere thanks to the @TheAcademy for the honour of a lifetime 💚
To everyone back in Northern Ireland… we’re bringing it home!!!
✍️ – @RossJWhite & @tom_berkeley pic.twitter.com/AmfqhzjiBz— An Irish Goodbye (@AnIrishGoodbye_) March 13, 2023
The first person with Down syndrome to get an Oscar Award is Martin.
After receiving his Oscar, he told the BBC, “It doesn’t matter if you have Down’s syndrome, as long as you’re doing what you do.
“I try to be hilarious as much as I can.”
‘Happy Birthday to You’
His fellow awardees sang him Happy Birthday during their acceptance speeches at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with assistance from the illustrious audience.
Martin stated that he intended to bring his Oscar trophy to his theatre group at Belvoir in Belfast.
Location filming for A Irish Farewell took place at Saintfield, Templepatrick, and Londonderry.
Two estranged brothers reconcile when their mother dies in this film that White and Berkeley both directed and co-wrote.
Seamus O’Hara, another actor from Northern Ireland, plays Lorcan’s older brother Turlough in the black comedy, which is set on a remote farm and stars Martin as Lorcan.
Belfast-born White said winning the Oscar was utterly overwhelming.
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