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

Last Kiss Before Child Delivery: A Man Lost His Wife And Became a Single Dad To Quadruplets!

Carlos and Erica Morales had a terrible fairytale relationship that once took place in Phoenix, Arizona. Their romance started in 2006. They initially had some linguistic obstacles, but they rapidly overcome them because they connected right away.

Following a few setbacks, they got married in 2007 and excitedly started their family-building quest. Even though they had suffered the pain of a miscarriage, they were ecstatic to learn that Erica was expecting quadruplets.

But instead of being the happiest time in their life, it turned into heartbreak. Erica unfortunately lost suddenly shortly after giving birth to their four beautiful infants, leaving Carlos to raise their quadruplets alone while grieving greatly.

Carlos showed incredible fortitude in the face of such intense grief by naming their four children—Carlos Jr., Paisley, Tracey, and Erica—in honor of his late wife.

Although becoming a single father came with its own set of difficulties, Carlos accepted it with great commitment. He became skilled at taking care of his infants and concentrated on realizing Erica’s aspirations for the future of his kids.

On this voyage, Carlos wasn’t traveling alone. Friends, relatives, and most of all Erica’s mother, Sondra Bridges, came together to support and love him during the difficult time of raising quadruplets.

Carlos came upon a message on Erica’s iPad one day while sorting through her things that detailed her goals and dreams for their kids. Carlos was greatly inspired by this finding, which motivated him to work toward making those aspirations come true.

Carlos Morales’s story is one of unfathomable loss, unwavering fortitude, and a steadfast love that endures beyond even the darkest moments of sorrow.

Carlos and his quadruplets are in our thoughts and prayers. I hope they keep finding the courage and steadfast support they require on this difficult path. A moving reminder of the enduring power of love and the relationships that mold our lives is provided by their narrative.