Belfast actor James Martin is being given a star-studded send off by his work colleagues at Starbucks this week as he prepares to jet off for the Oscars.
Having worked at Starbucks in Castle Lane and Victoria Square for over 10 years, the star of An Irish Goodbye will soon be swapping his trademark green apron for a swanky leopard-skin jacket.
An Irish Goodbye has also been nominated in the best short film category at the 95th Academy Awards, which will take place on James’ 31st birthday on March 12.
Read more: Northern Irish film nominated for 'Best Live Action Short' at the Oscars
James is still "buzzing" after his film picked up a BAFTA earlier this month and his work colleagues are just as excited about his upcoming trip to tinsel town.
James, who has also graced our screens in ITV drama Marcella and BBC TV film Ups and Downs, plays Lorcan in the black comedy, which is set on a rural farm and tells a story of two estranged brothers who come together after their mother's death to fulfil her bucket list.
Tom Berkeley and Ross White, wrote and directed the short, which was filmed on location in Derry, Templepatrick and Saintfield.
Turlough plans to send Lorcan to live with his aunt on the other side of Ireland which he will only do when they complete the 100 items on the list of things their mother, played by Game Of Thrones actress Michelle Fairley, wanted to do before she died.
Despite all the Oscars buzz, James, who has Down’s syndrome, is not letting fame go to his head and he still has his feet firmly on the ground.
He plans to return to his day jobs when he gets back from the bright lights of Hollywood. James has worked as a barista for Starbucks for over ten years alongside his other long-term job as a chef at Italian restaurant Scalini.
James told Belfast Live: "When I was still at school, I came home one day and told my dad that I'd got a job at Starbucks. I didn't get the job for a sympathy vote but because they told me I was the first person to come to them on work experience who actually worked!
"Ever since it has been a fantastic job and I like chatting to all the different customers who come through the doors, especially all the regulars. It's a great team to be part of and we all get along well together."
But James is finding himself more in demand than ever for autographs and selfies from his growing fan base while on shift, especially since the city's Starbucks outlets have been decked out with good luck billboards and red carpets to celebrate their famous employee.
He said: "I get recognised while I’m in there all the time. When I'm walking down the street, I get asked a lot if I’m the fella from the films. It's just nice to be known but I won’t be giving up my day jobs, no matter what happens."
James is the son of well-known radio broadcaster and sports journalist, Ivan. For most of his life, James has been known as Ivan Martin’s son but now the roles have reversed.
”I'm delighted about that - it's brilliant," Ivan laughed. "The word can't has never been in James' vocabulary. From the moment he arrived, he always wanted to do this or try that, be it football, tag rugby, swimming or taekwondo."
It was Ivan's turn to be at the shoulder of his talented son at the BAFTAs in London's Royal Festival Hall after the film was nominated in and later won the Best British Short Film category. But it's mum Suzanne who will be joining James on his trip to LA next week.
James, who is also well-known for his campaign work on behalf of people with disabilities, added: "Well, let’s put it this way, I’m the first person with Down’s syndrome to not just pick up a Bafta but, finger’s crossed, an Oscar.
"I always say to people ‘never judge a book by its cover’ because anybody can act, it doesn’t matter if you have Down’s syndrome."
Ivan said: "When James was born, one of the doctors said to me that we'd have to realise that he'd probably never speak. Well he did and now here he is going to the Oscars."
Area Manager at Starbucks Belfast, Barbara McMaster, added: "We are so proud of James going to the Oscars, it's an amazing achievement.
"He has been with us for a long time and worked hard every single day. He deserves everything he gets and we're all behind him."
The 95th Annual Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 12 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
READ NEXT:
BAFTA success for one of the Irish League's much-loved figures
Young NI actors wanted for new Sky movie filming in Belfast in 2023
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
