Belfast Oscar-winning actor James Martin was wished happy birthday by the Academy Awards audience in a touching moment.
James Martin, who revealed he plans to return to his day job at Starbucks after starring in An Irish Goodbye, also celebrated his 31st birthday on the same night as the Awards.
After the short film was announced as the Oscar winner, co-director Tom Berkeley told the audience that it was the actor's birthday and announced he would be using the rest of his allotted time on stage singing happy birthday, reports the Mirror.
Read more: An Irish Goodbye Oscar makes it wins two years in a row for NI
"This award is actually the second most important thing about today because it's [James Martin's] birthday," Tom began.
"He's out here in Hollywood wearing a leopard-print suit jacket. We would love to use the rest of our time up here to sing to James."
The Belfast actor, who has Down's Syndrome, was visibly touched as the audience joined in with his co-stars while he gripped onto his Oscar.
James could be seen giving a thumbs up to the audience before the camera panned to Oscar-nominee Colin Farrell who gestured a thumbs up back.
Viewers watching the ceremony were touched by the sweet moment as one tweeted: "The whole room singing happy birthday to [James Martin] was definitely one for my favorite moments of the #oscars."
"Hollywood singing happy birthday to James Martin, a young Irish actor with Down Syndrome, has been one of the highlights of the night thus far. #Oscars," another wrote.
One viewer tweeted: "The Happy Birthday for James. The thumbs up from Colin. Not able #AnIrishGoodbye #Oscars," along with a image captioned: "It's...so...beautiful..."
James worked in Starbucks in the city before starring in the short film An Irish Goodbye.
The 30-year-old said he "helps out all the customers" and that he's been "doing that a long time".
"It's nice," the actor, who stars as one of two brothers who are brought together by their mother's death, explained.
Speaking out on acting with Down's syndrome, he said: "Anybody can act," and it "doesn't matter if you have Down's syndrome".
"Take Stephen Hawking [who had motor neurone disease] in the Simpsons," he explained.
"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 stars Michelle Fairley as Grainne, Paddy Jenkins as Father O'Shea, Seamus O'Hara as Turlough and James as Lorcan.
When the two brothers reunite following the death of their mother, they end up discovering her unfulfilled bucket list.
The short film is directed and written by Tom Berkeley and Ross White.
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