WATCH: James Martin's Oscars 'happy birthday' - whole audience sings to actor with Down syndrome

It was a magic moment: the entire Oscars audience singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to actor James Martin, who has Down Syndrome, and who is star of ‘An Irish Goodbye’ which won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.

An unexpected moment of wholesomeness at the #Oscars: The entire audience singing 'Happy Birthday' to James Martin from 'An Irish Goodbye' moments after the film won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film pic.twitter.com/l8NuASxqYQ

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) March 13, 2023

The film was written and directed by Ross Whiteshot in Antrim and features the acclaimed Belfast actor. It was the only Irish or British short to make the Oscar shortlist.

James Martin, told Channel 4’s Ruben Reuter that ‘Winning the Oscar would be a great birthday present’ as the ceremony takes place on his birthday.

People with Down syndrome or autism are well able to act, Martin said in the interview, saying “it takes time to practice, but turn that light on, and that’s what makes you a brilliant actor”.

"Turn that light on, and that's what makes you a brilliant actor."

James Martin stars in ‘An Irish Goodbye. The film is currently being considered for an Oscar and is on the Bafta shortlist. pic.twitter.com/aK1Ybc4bdp
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) January 13, 2023

There it is… the icing on Oscar winner James Martin’s birthday cake!!!! You are a star, James…. pic.twitter.com/e4PAYBbOw3

— Paul Clark (@PaulClark_UTV) March 13, 2023

It was a special moment for James Martin.

#LATEST ☘️🇺🇸

“I am the first person with Down syndrome going over to America to pick up these Oscars”

-James Martin

The entire #Oscars audience sang happy birthday to the actor as he stood on stage to accept Best Live Action Short film for “An Irish Goodbye”.@VirginMediaNews pic.twitter.com/v8go0M6uKS

— Zara King (@ZaraKing) March 13, 2023

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This piece was first published on Gript.