Actor Adam Pearson didn't believe disabled individuals were permitted to appear in movies, as seen in A Different Man.

Adam Pearson, a well-known actor, recently shared a personal struggle that almost prevented him from pursuing his dream of acting. In a recent interview, the 39-year-old star revealed that he had doubts about disabled individuals being allowed in the film industry. Being born with neurofibromatosis type 1, a rare genetic condition that causes tumors to grow on a person's nerves, Pearson had always felt the odds were stacked against him.

Despite this, Pearson made his acting debut in the 2013 film Under The Skin, directed by Jonathan Glazer. Prior to this, he had worked on various BBC and Channel 4 projects, including casting for The Undateables. However, Pearson almost gave up on his dream of being on the big screen due to the lack of representation for disabled individuals in the film industry.

"I didn't think disabled people were allowed in films, because I didn't see any," Pearson shared with The Guardian. He went on to explain that, until recently, only two disabled actors had won Oscars for playing disabled characters, which he found concerning. "That's pretty f****d up, right?" he added.

The lack of representation on screen made Pearson question whether he had made the right decision in pursuing acting. However, he persisted and landed a role in A Different Man, a film directed by Aaron Schimberg. In the film, Pearson stars alongside Sebastian Stan, portraying the character of Oswald, who also suffers from neurofibromatosis. The movie follows the story of Edward, an aspiring actor with the same condition, who undergoes an experimental procedure that changes his appearance and ultimately his life.

Pearson's passion for acting dates back to his childhood, where he was inspired by comedians like Joe Pasquale, Kenny Everett, and Tommy Cooper. "I wanted to be a stand-up comic...everyone likes the funny guy," he shared. Pearson also joked that his disability "does a lot of heavy lifting" for his personality, but also acknowledged the privileges and challenges that come with it.

"People always think of the tragedy of going from being non-disabled to disabled," Pearson said, discussing the revolutionary representation of disability in A Different Man. "And no one really talks about it going the other way. I often say that my disability does a lot of heavy lifting for my awful, awful personality," he joked. "But it also means I can get away with so much."

Despite the challenges, Pearson is grateful for the opportunities he has had in the film industry and hopes to see more representation and diversity in the future. A Different Man is currently showing in cinemas and Pearson encourages everyone to go see it.

He also took the opportunity to shed light on neurofibromatosis, a condition that many may not be familiar with. According to the NHS, it is a genetic condition that causes tumors to grow on a person's nerves. Symptoms include birthmarks, soft tumors, and problems with the bones, eyes, and nervous system. Pearson hopes that by sharing his story, he can raise awareness and inspire others to pursue their dreams, regardless of any challenges they may face.

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