Atticus Baldwin has opened up about his own experience and the challenges faced by autistic performers in Hollywood.
The 28-year-old comes from a long line of actors, including father Daniel Baldwin, 64, mother Isabella Hofmann, 66, and uncle Alec Baldwin, 67, and seemed destined to perform.
“Acting is something I've always wanted to do ever since I was a child,” he told The Standard. “I loved being different characters, I loved dressing up in costumes, and I was fortunate enough to be in a few stage productions growing up.
“My dad and uncles always encouraged me in the arts and told me to ‘keep at it’ and my mum has always told me to ‘do the work’ because ‘practice makes better’. She always said that opportunities come, so just be ready for them.”
The actor and autism advocate recently joined the cast of viral animated YouTube series, God's Gang, through the show’s partnership with Autism in Entertainment - an organisation whose purpose is to create employment opportunities for neurodiverse talent in the entertainment industry.
God’s Gang first debuted in 2023 and features four superheroes representing four different major world religions – Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity.
“I had a great time working on God's Gang,” he enthused. “I was the voice of an ‘eerie’ green glowing enchanted frying pan, inspired by the famous chef Gordon Ramsey. It was a hilarious character.”
Despite his famous connections, he insists he still had to audition like everyone else: “I was lucky enough to become involved because God's Gang contacted Autism In Entertainment who then contacted my voiceover coach Cathy McAuley about having people audition. So I did. And I got the job.
“I've been treated kindly by people in Hollywood and I think people are wanting to learn about how best to work with autistic performers,” he reflected. “For example, sometimes I need more clarification in auditions and in interviews. I especially have difficulty hearing things when more than one person is talking. I also wish there were more roles for autistic artists to audition for.
“I think one of the biggest misconceptions about autism is that autistic people are all the same, and that we are incapable of many things. There's a phrase, ‘If you know one person on the autism spectrum, you know ONE person on the autism spectrum’. We are each as different as neuro-typical people. We just need to navigate the world differently. Sometimes that can be difficult. But the autistic community is also a beautiful thing, filled with talented, intelligent, "magical" people. I find most autistics to be honest, respectful, and kind to one another. And we work at trying to understand each other's needs and differences.”
And his advice to other aspiring performers on the spectrum?
“Take classes. Learn about what inspires you. Be around other artists. See how far you can go. If you don't understand something, ask questions. Ask for clarification.”
Looking to the future, Baldwin hopes do more acting and wants to make his mark as a screenwriter, saying: “Right now, I'm gearing up for the next audition. I'm also writing and hope to eventually work with shows like Thomas And Friends, Sesame Street, and other children's shows.”
Both Sesame Street and Thomas & Friends have introduced autistic characters in recent years and Baldwin says that the shows “hold a special place in my heart”.
You can watch Atticus in the animated series God’s Gang on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/@GodsGangGo
