Jennifer Lawrence’s biggest fan went to the same middle school she did.
The Silver Linings Playbook star is a winner in Andy Strunk’s eyes no matter what happens at Sunday’s Academy Awards.
Andy, who is 23 and has Down syndrome, says he has been friends with the 22-year-old Oscar nominee for more than 10 years – ever since they shared classes at their Louisville, Kentucky middle school.
Best friends: Andy Strunk, who is 23 and has Down syndrome, has been buddies with Jennifer Lawrence since middle school in Louisville, Kentucky and now he’s her No. 1 fan
‘We are like best friends,’ Andy told the Courier Journal. ‘She’s kind… I think she has spirit.’
Andy appeared in a YouTube video with his mother in which he talks about his famous friend.
His keeps a collection of Jennifer’s movie memorabilia which he proudly showed to Jennifer the last time she visited her hometown.
On Sunday he plans on suiting up to watch the Oscars ceremony on television.
Cherish: Andy has a whole collection of movie posters, magazines and photos of Jennifer like this one taken during their years at Kammerer Middle School
Catching up: Jennifer visited Andy at home the last time she was in town
Movie buff: Andy keeps posters of Jennifer’s films Winter’s Bone and Hunger Games in his room, which he shared on this YouTube video
‘He’s going to wear his tux. He wants to dress up… because Jennifer is going to be dressed up and he wants to celebrate,’ Andy’s mother, Pollyanna Strunk, revealed.
‘He’ll have his shirt on and his tie and all that… just like he was there.’
There’s no doubt that Andy is the Silver Linings Playbook star’s No. 1 fan.
Quite a collector: Andy makes regular trips to the bookstore to stock up on magazines that feature Jennifer
Fan magazines: Andy could paper the walls of his house with the number of publications he has
Andy’s bedroom is plastered with movie posters, magazine pictures and personal photos of Jennifer from their days at Kammerer Middle School.
In one picture, he’s sitting with Jennifer by the backyard pool at her home.
Andy regularly stocks up on magazines that feature Jennifer for his ever-growing memorabilia collection.
‘The last time he went, he spent $87 on things he found with Jennifer on them,’ Andy’s mother said.
Treasure: One of Andy’s prized magazines was apparently signed by Jennifer who wrote: ‘Hi Andy! I miss you!’
Oscar ready: Andy plans on suiting up in his best tuxedo to watch Sunday’s Academy Awards on television
Jennifer was the big winner at Saturday’s Independent Spirit Awards where she picked up the best actress award for Silver Linings Playbook.
Andy is convinced he’s going to hear Jennifer’s name called at the Oscars.
‘I will say “Yay! Yay! Yay!”‘ Andy said, ‘and will have to be calmed down.’
As Jennifer will be ‘very busy’ that night, Andy plans on sending a text to her mother Karen Lawrence that says ‘congratulations’ and ‘see you later.’
Winner! Jennifer’s performance in Silver Linings Playbook won her the best actress award at Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday
