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Benedict Cumberbatch’s Remarks on Autism Seemingly Came off as Ableist

According to Benedict Cumberbatch, it was “dangerous” to label characters as being on the autism spectrum.

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7 months ago

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Benedict Cumberbatch’s Remarks On Autism Came Off As Ableist

The Imitation Game actor Benedict Cumberbatch had denied his role as the autistic in the film, which probably disheartened the sentiments of many fans.

Cumberbatch is a British actor known for his versatile performances in both film and television. He was born on July 19, 1976, in London, England, and comes from a family of actors.

Cumberbatch made his acting debut in 2000 and has since appeared in numerous acclaimed productions, including the TV series Sherlock, for which he won an Emmy, and the Marvel films Doctor Strange and Avengers: Infinity War.

In addition to his acting work, Cumberbatch is also known for his philanthropic endeavors. He has supported various charities and causes, including the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Save the Children, and the Prince’s Trust.

In 2015, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to the performing arts and charity.

Despite his professional and philanthropic endeavors, he has upset his fans with his opinion about autistic people and his portrayal of autism in his films.

Benedict Cumberbatch believes it’s dangerous to label his characters as autistic

Cumberbatch portrayed the introverted, socially awkward math genius Alan Turing in the film The Imitation Game. Turing is credited with building the machine that cracked the German WWII Enigma machine, paving the way for modern computers.

Some fans have drawn parallels between Turing and Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes, suggesting that the actor specializes in portraying characters on the autism spectrum. However, Cumberbatch rejected this idea and wanted it to stop.

“Though Sherlock is an immediate comparison, they’re so different. Sherlock is a sociopathic show-off, and Alan was anything but that,” Cumberbatch told Metro. “I don’t think he [Turing] was on the spectrum. I think a lot of people are very lazy with that.”

Benedict Cumberbatch in a cinematic scenario

Benedict Cumberbatch in a cinematic scenario (Image Source: Instagram/l3enedictcumberbatch)

He expressed concern about the casual use of diagnostic labels, particularly regarding characters in film and television. In the same interview, he stated that he believes it is “dangerous” to label characters as being on the autism spectrum without clear evidence to support such a diagnosis.

He said, “I think it’s a really dangerous thing to toy with that. People talk about me doing that quite a lot and that being a good thing for people who are on the spectrum, which is great.”

“But I don’t go into a job going, ‘Is this autism? Is this Asperger’s? Is this some other form of slight learning difficulty or disability?’ I’m very wary of that because I’ve met people with those conditions. It’s a real struggle all the time,” he added.

The actor explained that while some people may view his portrayal of characters like Sherlock Holmes and Alan Turing as positive representations of individuals with autism or Asperger’s, he is wary of offering “false hope” to those who struggle with these conditions in real life.

Benedict Cumberbatch felt bad for the teenager with autism

Cumberbatch had studied autism to understand better how a fully developed adult, without any childhood experiences to draw from, would act for his acclaimed performance in Frankenstein.

“I went to schools and met people, some of whom are very high functioning on the autistic spectrum. I met a 17-year-old who had the mental age of a one-and-a-half-year-old,” he said to Iris Times.

“Everything was just about bodily functions. Smell. Sexual arousal. Shitting. Whatever. So when I hear people use diagnostic labels casually – it really upsets me,” Cumberbatch added.

He also expressed his concern about the fate of the teenager he met who were nearing the end of their care in the quote, “It upsets me those 17-year-olds were coming to the end of their care. Because after that they’re supposed to head into employment and earn revenue for the government. Ha. Because from early on you’re empiricised in the Orwellian sense.”

He suggested that the system is designed so that these individuals are commodified from a young age and are expected to contribute to the economy, even if their disabilities make it difficult for them to do so.

Also, when discussing the physicality of his role in the stage play Frankenstein (2011), Cumberbatch shared that he and his team visited two remarkable schools for children with autism to learn about their movements.

“We went to two extraordinary schools for autistic children and there is an element of the movement that reflects that but also as Jonny was saying it’s an evolution of a man who is fully formed so it’s an evolution with a fully grown body…,” he said.

He also explained that the character he was portraying was already fully formed, so they had to create an evolution of a man with a fully grown body. He described their approach as a staggered progression with specific barriers to being fully evolved and incorporated some autistic movements, which he called “sort of backward.”

Fans are not happy with his remark about autistic people

Many tweets suggest people are not satisfied with his comments. One of the Twitter users wrote, “i feel like we forget when benedict cumberbatch made a bunch of ableist comments about autistic people..”

One of the fans even unfollowed the person who had Cumberbatch’s name on his bio.

One of the users made a genuine point regarding Cumberbatch.

She wrote, “Benedict Cumberbatch visited schools for Autistic people to research for a role. What role, you ask? Frankenstein’s monster. He gawked at autistic kids as if at a zoo. That was in 2011. He’s never apologised/acknowledged it, and that’s one of countless reasons he’s problematic.”

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Kenn Whitaker’s Siblings — Know If Forest Whitaker Is His Twin Brother

All about the Whitaker siblings.

Published

22 hours ago

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September 20, 2023

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Getting To Know Kenn Whitaker's Siblings And Twin Brother

Kenn Whitaker and Forest Whitaker have been making strides in the Hollywood industry for a very long time.

Since they share the same last name, many have wondered if they are siblings — if not, they belong to the same family. Moreover, Kenn and Forest bear an uncanny resemblance to each other.

As a result, many have questioned if Kenn is Forest’s twin brother. Here is all we know about the Whitakers.

Kenn Whitaker and Forest Whitaker — twin brother or siblings

It has been quite some time since Kenn and Forest have been mistaken for each other. Many also believed that Kenn and Forest were the same person.

When the duo stood side-by-side, fans and followers could not help but notice the uncanny resemblance between the pair. Since then, many have called Kenn Forest’s twin brother.

However, this is not the case. Kenn is not Forest’s twin brother, and vice versa. Instead, the duo are siblings who share the same parents.

Forest was born on July 15, 1961, in Longview, Texas. Kenn, on the other hand, was born on June 8, 1963, in the same city as his brother — making him the younger sibling.

They were born to their parents, Laura Francis and Forest E. Whitaker Jr. Their mother was a special education teacher who went to college and got two master’s degrees while raising her children.

Kenn Whitaker and Forest Whitaker are siblings.

Kenn Whitaker and Forest Whitaker are siblings. (Source: Twitter)

Their father, on the other hand, was an insurance salesman. Forest once did a DNA test to find out the ethnicity of his parents and the heritage of his family. 

It was revealed that his father was of Igbo ethnicity, whereas his mother had Akan ancestry — leading him and his siblings to be of mixed ethnicity.

Kenn and Forest are not the only siblings in their family. They have a younger brother, Damon Whitaker, and an older sister, Deborah Whitaker. 

The other Whitaker siblings 

Not much is known about Damon and Deborah since they are not as famous as their other siblings.

Deborah is the oldest among the siblings in her family, and it is reported that she was also born in  Longview, Texas. Other than this, not much is known about her.

Despite being amongst her famous family, she has managed to keep her personal life private and out of the spotlight. The same, however, cannot be said for their younger brother, Damon.

Damon was born on October 21, 1970, making him seven years younger than Kenn. He was born after his family migrated from Texas to California.

As said before, Damon, like his elder siblings, works in the entertainment industry as a writer, actor, producer, and director. First Daughter, Mr. Holland’s Opus, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Haphazard, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Lazarus Papers, and The Champagne Game are among his film credits.

According to IMDb, he has 27 acting credits and two as a producer.

He is affiliated with Beatscore PRO, where he works as a partner. The company specializes in assisting clients in discovering the right music for their films. 

Damon is also an Executive Producer at Bruin Lake Films. When asked why he chose to work in the entertainment industry, Damon responded he couldn’t help but be born into it. 

Almost every member of his family has been performing, writing, singing, and drawing since they were children, so it comes naturally to the Whitakers. He said, “I can’t help it. I was raised in the arts, so my family’s always been writing and painting and acting and singing… this is natural for us.”

Kenn Whitaker’s biography 

Kenn moved to Carson, California, with his parents and family when he was two years old and spent most of his official schooling there. When it was time for him to start high school, he enrolled in Palisades Charter High School in Palisades, California. 

Following graduation, he enrolled in an as-yet-unknown college to pursue his longtime passion for acting. Kenn, though not as productive as his elder brother, is an actor in his own right. 

While he is not as active as his brother, Kenn has just 7 acting credits on his IMDb profile.

Kenn’s acting career began in 1997 when he portrayed Bus Guard 2 in the film Most Wanted. His acting career continued until 2001 when he played Otis in the film The Theory of the Leisure Class. 

Between his first and last on-screen appearances, Kenn participated in a few additional films and television shows, including Tracey Takes On (1998), Party of Five (1999), Bulworth (1999), Life (1999), and Last Days (2001).

Because of his brief acting career, his estimated net worth of $1 million is far less than his elder brother’s estimated net worth of $25 million.

Little is known about the actor’s current activities because he has mostly vanished from the public eye. 

Forest Whitaker’s biography

Forest is an actor, producer, and director from the United States. Among his many honors are an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a British Academy Film Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. 

Forest gained a reputation for intense character study work for films such as Platoon (1986), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Bird (1988), The Crying Game (1992), Phenomenon (1996), Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999), The Great Debaters (2007), The Butler (2013), Arrival (2016), and Respect (2021) after making his film debut in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982).

He has also played Saw Gerrera in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and Zuri in Black Panther (2018). 

Forest earned the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2006 for his depiction of Ugandan tyrant Idi Amin in the British historical drama film The Last King of Scotland. He made his directorial debut with Strapped (1993) and went on to direct Waiting to Exhale (1995), Hope Floats (1998), and First Daughter (2004). 

Recently, he has been starring as Bumpy Johnson in the Epix criminal thriller series Godfather of Harlem since 2019.

Forest is well-known for his humanitarian efforts, advocacy, and acting profession. He was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 2011 and then promoted to Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation. 

He is also the CEO of the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI), a non-profit outreach program.

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‘Berlin’ Star Tristan Ulloa’s Parents, Wife, Children, Height, Movies, and Net Worth

Know Tristan Ulloa better!

Published

22 hours ago

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September 20, 2023

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Tristan Ulloa’s Parents, Wife, Children, Net Worth, And More

Tristán Ulloa is taking the internet by storm. You might recognize him from the hit Netflix series Warrior Nun, where he played Father Vincent, the spiritual leader of the order of the cruciform sword.

But now, he’s gearing up for his next big role in Netflix’s upcoming series, Berlin, set to premiere on December 29, 2023.

This show, a prequel to the popular Money Heist, has got fans buzzing with excitement. What’s intriguing about Ulloa is that he’s more than just a man of the cloth on screen.

As this rising Spanish actor continues to make waves, fans can’t help but wonder about the man behind the characters.

So, let’s take a closer look at his parents, siblings, wife, children, movies, net worth, and more here.

Meet Tristan Ulloa’s parents

The accomplished 53-year-old director and actor shares a heartwarming bond with his mother, Esther San Roman, who hails from France but resides in Madrid.

Time and again, he makes sure to share glimpses of his mother on his social media.

Even though the details regarding Tristan’s father are private, according to TMDB, his father was exiled to France.

Despite his birthplace being in Orleans, France, Tristan’s nationality is Spanish. He spent his teenage years in Vigo while his father’s family hails from a village near Lugo.

Nevertheless, the 53-year-old actor is not the only child in the family.

Tristan Ulloa has one sibling

Tristan has a younger brother named David, born in 1976. He is also involved in the film industry.

The now 47-year-old actor is a director and assistant director, mostly recognized for Pudor (2007), The Snow Girl (2023), and La Caza Monteperdido (2019).

Although David may not be as widely recognized as his older brother, he has certainly made his mark in the industry.

We can say that the passion for filmmaking lies in their blood. While David may prefer to keep a lower profile, there’s undoubtedly a strong fraternal bond between the two brothers.

One can only imagine that their mother must be incredibly proud of her son’s accomplishments.

The Ulloa brothers, through their shared love for filmmaking, continue to contribute to their family’s creative legacy in the cinematic world.

Tristan Ulloa’s wife’s details

The much-loved actor is married to an American-Argentinean actress, Carolina Román. She is also engaged in the entertainment field. Carolina is an actress, dramaturge, and director.

Moreover, Román is notably recognized for the depth and humility present in her works. Her creations are described as poetically chaotic and complex.

Tristan Ulloa's Wife

Tristan Ulloa’s wife is flawless. (Source: Instagram)

Some of her notable works include En construcción, which received acclaim with nominations for the Max Award as the best original play and recognition at the Festival Internacional de Huesca. Luciérnagas, Adentro, and Río seguro are her additional works.

Mr. and Mrs. Ullo tied the knot on September 22, 2001. Nothing much is known about their initial meetings and love story. The lovely duo are yet to spill the beans. They have been together for more than 22 years and are still going strong.

Tristan Ulloa’s children’s details

Tristan and Carolina Román share a loving family, including two children, Max and Ona.

Their eldest son, Max, was born on September 6, 2008. He is also an actor. The couple’s firstborn is 15 years old now and has clearly inherited a passion for acting.

Likewise, their daughter, Ona, was born on December 30 th 2017. She is six years old as of now.

Tristan’s primary concern is his children’s happiness and well-being rather than pushing them into any particular career path.

Yet, Tristan’s main goal is for them to be happy no matter what they do. He is supportive of his children’s future, regardless of their passion.

Tristan Ulloa’s net worth and movies explored

Tristan, a versatile entertainer, has a net worth of over 1 million dollars, earned through his roles as an actor, writer, and director.

He’s been active in the industry since 1995 and primarily works in Spain, where the average actor’s yearly salary is around €51,091, with an hourly rate of €25. Ulloa’s earnings fall within this range due to his extensive experience and talent.

Tristan’s journey in the entertainment world is quite a story. At 12, he moved to Vigo due to his father’s job, and there he found solace in theater, which helped him overcome his shyness. Gradually, this became his passion.

At 19, while studying business in Madrid, he decided to change tracks and pursue acting. Alongside his studies at the Autonomous University of Madrid, he dabbled in university theater competitions. During the late 90s, he balanced his education with roles in TV and film.

Notably, he got his big break in 1996 in the series La vida en el aire and his first leading film role in 1998’s Mensaka, directed by Salvador García Ruiz.

Tristan’s filmography includes titles like The Nameless Ones, Lucía and Sex, The Carpenter’s Pencil, You Will Return, The Voices of the Night, Salvador (Puig Antich), Mataharis, After, A Good Man, and Let the Ugly Ones Die. In 2006, he co-directed Pudor with his brother David.

Alongside his film career, he remained active in theater, participating in various productions. He co-founded two theater companies, Adentro Teatro and Teatro del Invernadero, both earning critical acclaim.

On TV, he appeared in series like El comisario, Gran Reserva, El tiempo entre corazónas, La embassy, Fariña, and La Catedral del Mar.

In recent years, he ventured into international productions, with roles in Terminator: Dark Fate, Narcos, Snatch, and Warrior Nun.

Not to mention, Tristan’s contributions earned him multiple Goya Awards nominations as a performer, director, and writer.

In 2022, he gained acclaim for STOYAN and joined the Berlin spin-off series of La casa de papel as Damián.

While his career is thriving, his net worth and earnings are sure to rise in the future.

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Babil Khan’s Wikipedia – Discover His Age, Parents, Ethnicity, and More

Babil Khan is widely recognized as the son of the late actor Irrfan Khan.

Published

2 days ago

on

September 19, 2023

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Babil Khan’s Wikipedia - Discover His Age, Parents, and More

Indian actor Babil Khan is well-known for his role as Jagan Batwal in Anushka Sharma’s Netflix film Qala.

Babil is steadily carving his path in the entertainment industry, and fans eagerly await glimpses into his personal life, including details about his age, parents, ethnicity, and more.

Babil Khan’s age revealed

Babil was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, in the year 1998, and he joyfully celebrates his birthday on May 15th each year. As of 2023, he has reached the age of 25.

Regarding his educational background, the actor completed his studies at Mumbai’s Tridha School. Subsequently, he made a significant move to England, where he dedicated himself to obtaining a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the University of Westminster in London. 

Babil Khan’s parents have both been part of the entertainment industry 

Babil grew up in an artistically inclined environment. His father, Irrfan Khan, was renowned for his iconic performances in films like Haasil, Maqbool, Piku, Slumdog Millionaire, and many others.

Meanwhile, his mother, Sutapa Sikdar, is a screenwriter, producer, and dialogue writer. Some of her notable movies include Kahaani, Madaari, and several others. 

Unfortunately, the actor experienced the loss of his father on April 29, 2020, due to neuroendocrine cancer. Since that time, he has shared many pictures and videos on his Instagram as part of his memories. 

In one poignant post, he shared a childhood picture with his father and expressed in the caption that while his father was undoubtedly one of the world’s finest actors, the truth lay in him being an infinitely better father and friend. 

He also fondly reminisced about the hours spent in deep conversation, even enduring all-night existential crises together. 

In response to the post, one person commented, “Your dad is a legend, and you are the legend’s cutest son,” while another expressed, “Lovely, your Baba is always there, watching over you from heaven, protecting and blessing you.”

Likewise, on February 27, 2023, Babil posted a picture of himself and his mother during a vacation with the caption, “It’s a special moment when you can take your mother on a trip.”

Recently, he shared a heartwarming video where his mother was fixing a button on his shirt before an advertising shoot. The video beautifully captures the profound love between the mother and son.

After watching the video, one fan gushed that it was the most heartwarming reel on Instagram, and another expressed how they found the video incredibly cute and deeply touching.

Babil Khan was raised alongside his younger brother, Ayaan Khan

Ayaan, born on August 21, 2003, is five years younger than his brother Babil. In keeping with their family’s tradition, Ayaan has also ventured into the entertainment industry.

In 2007, he took on the role of Irrfan’s on-screen son in the film Life in a Metro. Similarly, in 2012, he portrayed the character of Ravi Patel, Pi’s younger brother, in the Hollywood movie Life Of Pi.

Moreover, the bond between these brothers appears to be exceptionally strong. On July 5, 2021, Babil shared a heartwarming childhood photograph of the two of them, captured hand in hand as they strolled together. 

Accompanying the image, Babil added a touching caption, stating, “This little munchkin has grown up to now beat me up whenever he pleases.”

Babil Khan shares a special bond with his sibling, Ayaan Khan.

Babil Khan shares a special bond with his sibling, Ayaan Khan. (Source: Instagram)

Following the post, numerous fans and followers chimed in with comments celebrating the endearing bond between the two brothers. One individual exclaimed, ‘Wow, such an adorable picture!’ 

Likewise, another admirer shared, “Whenever I peruse your posts, I can’t help but sense the essence of your father,” paying tribute to the influence of their late father, Irrfan.

On August 21, 2022, the actor took to Instagram to extend warm birthday wishes to his younger brother, sharing a delightful childhood memory between them. He captioned the posts, “Happy birthday to this amazing guy,” with lots of heart emojis.

Explore Babil Khan’s ethnicity 

Babil’s family background is characterized by a blend of cultures and religions. His father, Irrfan Khan, was of Muslim ethnicity, while his mother, Sutapa, is Hindu. Despite this mixed heritage, he has chosen not to align himself with any specific religious identity. 

In an Instagram post, the actor candidly addressed his approach to religion, acknowledging his mother’s Hindu background but emphasizing that he was raised as a person without strict religious affiliation. 

Babil shared that he has joyfully participated in various cultural celebrations, including Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, and Eid. He even attended church services to pay his respects, reflecting a respectful and inclusive perspective on spirituality and traditions.

The actor continued by asserting that he does not adhere to any particular religion. He expressed a profound love for people and emphasized his dedication to standing up for and supporting them.

Babil Khan was rumored to be gay 

Babil’s sexuality came under speculation, largely due to his distinctive fashion choices. He doesn’t hesitate to paint his nails or embrace bohemian accessories. 

To dispel any speculation about his sexuality, it’s important to clarify that Babil is not gay. He simply feels at ease embracing gender-nonconforming elements in his style, and this isn’t a deliberate effort to prove a point but rather a reflection of his confident and laid-back personality.

Babil Khan faced rumors about his sexuality due to his fashion choices.

Babil Khan faced rumors about his sexuality due to his fashion choices. (Source: Mensxp)

Likewise, on February 26, 2021, the actor shared two videos on Instagram, one showing how he woke up with a black spot near his eye and the other showing his lit-up face after probably a small self-care session.

In a heartfelt note accompanying a video, Babil addressed questions about his skincare routine, revealing that some people mistake him for a girl when he takes care of his skin. 

He shared his belief in a cosmic duality within everyone, stating that true masculinity involves recognizing and embracing one’s feminine side and rejecting toxic masculinity. 

Babil then expressed his love for skincare, his enjoyment in looking attractive, his deep respect for women, and his pride in being a man, reflecting a modern, inclusive view of gender identity.

Following the post, a wave of support and admiration flowed in from his fans and followers. One individual applauded him with, “Babil breaking stereotypes, woohoo,” while another complimented him, saying, “You’re a stunningly handsome and feminine man.”

More on Babil Khan movies and TV shows 

Babil’s journey in the film industry began when he initially worked as a digital camera assistant on the Bollywood film Qarib Qarib Singlle in 2017.

His journey evolved as he garnered invaluable expertise while serving as an assistant director on the sets of his father’s films, specifically Hindi Medium and Angrezi Medium.

Subsequently, he transitioned into acting and made his debut with the Netflix movie Qala. In addition to his Netflix debut, in 2021, he also featured in the English short titled The Mattress Man: A Yawn to Action. 

Moreover, Babil made his debut in the Hindi film industry with The Railway Men. Recently, he portrayed the character Siddharth in the comedy-drama film Friday Night Plan, which was released on September 1, 2023.

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