James Martin may be in a film that has been for an , but that isn’t stopping him from heading back to his day job at a Starbucks in Belfast.
The Northern Irish actor has faced worldwide praise for his role in black comedy An Irish Goodbye, which has scooped a nomination for best short film.
But the 30-year-old actor isn’t going to let fame go to his head despite going to attend the Oscars in March.
This is not James’ first foray in the spotlight, as he rose to fame through his part in BBC TV series Ups and Downs, in which he plays a man with Down’s syndrome who tricks his sister into a road trip to go to a concert, while being pursued by their mum.
In his Oscar-worthy role, James plays the role of a son who grows close to his brother after their mother’s untimely death.
The star, who has Down’s syndrome, has worked at the American coffee chain for a ‘long time’ and ‘helps out all the customers’.
‘It’s nice,’ he told the .
The actor also worked as a chef at Italian restaurant Scalini’s.
‘I can make garlic bread, meatballs, salads and mussels, chips and stuff like that,’ he said.
When asked about acting as a man with Down’s syndrome, James responded that ‘anybody can act’ and it ‘doesn’t matter if you have Down’s syndrome’.
‘Take Stephen Hawking,’ he said, referring to the late theoretical physicist who had motor neurone disease.
‘He was a fantastic actor, he knew what he was doing but you just have to treat him like an adult. I always say to people never judge a book by its cover.’
An Irish Goodbye, directed by Ross White and Tom Berkeley, also stars Game of Thrones’ Michelle Fairley, Line of Duty’s Seamus O’Hara, who plays James’ estranged brother, and Paddy Jenkins.
Also up for the best short film award is The Red Suitcase, Night Ride, Ivalu and Night Ride.
Oscars night also happens to be James’ birthday.
As well as hoping to meet icon , James is also looking forward to bringing his long-term girlfriend Louise Davies along for what is sure to be a star-studded night.
Other Oscar nominees include The Banshee of Inisherin, Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Fabelmans and Tár, which are all up for the big best film award.
Actresses nominated for lead and supporting roles include Angela Bassett, Kerry Condon, Michelle Williams and Cate Blanchett.
In the men’s categories Paul Mescal, Colin Farrell and Barry Keoghan are among the hopefuls, with Brendan Fraser also picking up a nomination for his role in The Whale and Austin Butler for Elvis.
The Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 12 in Los Angeles.
