Noah Matthews Matofsky, Disney actor with Down syndrome

DW (English)

Noah Matthews Matofsky of England made history as the first actor with Down syndrome to play an major role in a Disney film.

Transcript

00:00acting classes, playing the piano and beach walks.

00:07This is a day in the life of a 16-year-old young actor

00:10from the coastal town of Shoreham, Bicey, in the southeast of England.

00:17And who is he?

00:19My name is Noah Mathews-Matowski

00:22and I have the most incredible life so far.

00:27Noah is the first actor with Down syndrome to play a leading role in a Disney film.

00:35I played slightly in the new Disney film Peter Pan and Wendy.

00:40It was amazing. I loved it.

00:44Ever since he auditioned for his first role, Noah has had one big dream.

00:49I want to become a famous, well-known actor.

00:55Back in 2020, he auditioned for his dream role as the leader of the Lost Boys

00:59from Disney's feature Peter Pan and Wendy.

01:04He spent around six months filming in Canada, where he had his own trailer,

01:11had to learn how to sword fight

01:14and even navigate a pirate ship.

01:17Well, there's so many great scenes.

01:20I would say the scene when the Hanoffs are down on a cannon,

01:24one of my favourite moments.

01:27Every week, Noah takes drama classes in an inclusive theatre school,

01:30where he feels at home.

01:32Probably about 50% of our students have some kind of additional need

01:36or mental health problem, anxiety, issues with their gender.

01:40Everyone is catered to if they've got a particular need that needs to be dealt with.

01:44It's just dealt with quietly.

01:46We don't have a segregated special needs class or additional needs class.

01:49Everybody just works together.

01:53Amanda is Noah's theatre school teacher.

01:55She started working with him about five years ago, when he first began acting.

02:01He has a massive understanding of how others are feeling

02:04and he's always somebody that is able to adjust the way he is

02:08or the way he's performing or behaving

02:10when he can see that it's not fitting with other people.

02:12And that's really rare in teenagers.

02:14But for Noah, it's just something he sort of naturally has.

02:17I love being an actor and I love doing acting classes.

02:22We do dances for musicals, singing and also acting, like monologues and stuff.

02:30So I find it fun.

02:33Acting is not his only passion.

02:35In his free time, he sits down behind the piano

02:38and plays, sometimes four hours at a time.

02:47In between acting and playing the piano,

02:50Noah has turned into a bit of a celebrity in his hometown.

02:54So when I came back to my hometown,

02:57Noah has turned into a bit of a celebrity in his hometown.

03:01So when I came back to school,

03:03everyone wanted to photo or an autograph of me.

03:06It was amazing.

03:09Noah's mother, Kate, is proud of his acting journey.

03:12She also goes with him on some film sets and interviews.

03:19Well, being Noah's mum is never dull.

03:23He's really witty.

03:25He's up for anything.

03:27He's just enthusiastic about life.

03:30He just has this magic about him.

03:33He just seems to find his way.

03:36I think life's going to be pretty good for Noah.

03:39Noah's enthusiasm doesn't stop with himself.

03:42He has a message.

03:43So, wherever you are,

03:46if you have a dream or ambition, go for it.

03:51Don't let something hold you back.

03:53Always do what you want.

03:56And you'll see the best in life.

04:00Alongside auditioning for new acting roles,

04:03Noah is also an ambassador for Down Syndrome UK.

04:07I love being an ambassador

04:10to help kids with Down Syndrome to fulfil their dreams.

04:16And what about Noah's dream?

04:18It's quite simple.

04:19My dream is to be an actor

04:22and have the best time ever.

04:25I want to be in more films and TV shows.

04:29Who knows what my future might hold?

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