Colin Farrell reveals he ‘burst into tears’ when his son took his first steps ahead of his fourth birthday as actor discusses James’ Angelman Syndrome in depth for the first time

Colin Farrell reveals he 'burst into tears' when his son took his first steps ahead of his fourth birthday as actor discusses James' Angelman Syndrome in depth for the first time

As I delve deeper into this heartwarming story, I am profoundly moved by Colin Farrell’s journey as a father to his son with special needs. His unwavering commitment to sobriety, not just for himself, but for the sake of his child, is a testament to the transformative power of love and responsibility.


Colin Farrell recently shared a heartwarming moment when he watched his son take his initial steps on the verge of turning four years old. This is the first time he’s spoken candidly about his son’s Angelman Syndrome.

Colin’s adult son, James who is currently 20 years old, was born with a neurogenetic condition that results in developmental delays, poor balance, and various other complications.

Sharing a significant event with PEOPLE magazine, 48-year-old Colin recounted: “I watched as James’s caretakers helped him take steps. Suddenly, he made his way towards me on his own.”

‘It was so profound. It was magic.

As a devoted observer, his steadfast expression etched itself deeply into my memory as he approached me in those six measured strides. The sight was so profound that it brought forth an unexpected torrent of tears from me.

Colin Farrell reveals he 'burst into tears' when his son took his first steps ahead of his fourth birthday as actor discusses James' Angelman Syndrome in depth for the first time

Colin Farrell reveals he 'burst into tears' when his son took his first steps ahead of his fourth birthday as actor discusses James' Angelman Syndrome in depth for the first time
Colin Farrell reveals he 'burst into tears' when his son took his first steps ahead of his fourth birthday as actor discusses James' Angelman Syndrome in depth for the first time

Due to the seriousness of his condition, James can’t speak on his own and needs a full-time caregiver to assist him with daily activities like dressing, eating, and moving around.

In simpler terms, the actor has a shared son named James with Canadian model Kim Bordenave, and also has a 14-year-old son named Henry with his co-star Alicja Bachleda-Curús from their work together in the 2009 film Ondine.

At age four, Colin made a public announcement about his son having Angelman Syndrome, praising him for exhibiting remarkable bravery in coping with his health situation.

As a lifestyle expert, I would say: Looking back, my partner and I have always taken delight in celebrating our son James’ smallest achievements, regardless of when they occurred. From his first words at six years old to mastering self-feeding at 19, and even getting his seizures under control – we never missed an opportunity to celebrate the milestones that made him uniquely him.

Colin has kept his personal life relatively secret, rarely discussing his son extensively. However, in a recent interview with InStyle, he mentioned that it was during the 2007 Special Olympics that he decided to openly express the pride and joy he felt for their son.

He expressed: ‘He has greatly impacted my life, yet I don’t wish to understate the hardships faced by many families. These include fear, confusion, irritation, and pain… When you’re a parent of a child with special needs, it’s crucial to know that you’re not on your own.’

As a lifestyle guide, I’d like to share a profound insight from a renowned Hollywood star. This individual revealed that their journey towards sobriety was significantly influenced by their role as a parent to a child with special needs, in this case, their son James. The challenges and resilience required in navigating his unique circumstances became the driving force behind their personal transformation and overcoming addiction.

Colin Farrell reveals he 'burst into tears' when his son took his first steps ahead of his fourth birthday as actor discusses James' Angelman Syndrome in depth for the first time
Colin Farrell reveals he 'burst into tears' when his son took his first steps ahead of his fourth birthday as actor discusses James' Angelman Syndrome in depth for the first time

He emphasized the necessity of staying completely sober so he could effectively attend to his son’s unique requirements.

“When I stopped using and became sober, James was around two years old. He played a significant role in helping me quit drinking.” (This version maintains the original meaning while making the sentence structure more straightforward.)

As an overwhelmed and devoted fan, given my state at the time, I wasn’t equipped to play the role of friend, let alone a father to a child with such demanding requirements. If it weren’t for my sobriety, I wouldn’t have been able to be present in James’ life, cherishing each wonder he presents and offering him the support I believe he needs…

Colin stated: ‘I don’t aim to give the impression that I’m a flawless father, as I certainly make mistakes from all sides. However, in order to mess up, one must be present, so I’m always around. Furthermore, my sobriety and my kids are closely intertwined.’

The actor shared an additional detail: His son, who resides at home with a caregiver, behaves much like a typical 20-year-old. They enjoy activities such as swimming, dining out, and movie nights together. Moreover, having a live-in carer has given him the ability to balance work and care for his son.

He added: ‘He has a good life, he’s a happy young man… I’m proud of him every day.’

The actor from Inisherin who played the role of Banshees has shared that he wants to discuss more openly about his son’s health situation in public now.

During an interview with People, he expressed a wish for the world to treat his diligent son with kindness. He’s put in tremendous effort to grow and improve, mastering skills like repetition and balance.

Colin Farrell reveals he 'burst into tears' when his son took his first steps ahead of his fourth birthday as actor discusses James' Angelman Syndrome in depth for the first time
Colin Farrell reveals he 'burst into tears' when his son took his first steps ahead of his fourth birthday as actor discusses James' Angelman Syndrome in depth for the first time
Colin Farrell reveals he 'burst into tears' when his son took his first steps ahead of his fourth birthday as actor discusses James' Angelman Syndrome in depth for the first time

He remembered when his son managed to feed himself for the first time, and he likened the moment to a Jackson Pollock artwork. However, he expressed pride in him daily, not only because he finds him magical but also because he truly believes he is exceptional.

A significant factor driving his initiative was recognizing that, once they reach the age of 21, individuals with special needs lose access to specific forms of assistance they were entitled to earlier.

However, the actor additionally clarified that once individuals with disabilities reach the age of 21, there is a significant reduction in available support systems. This realization motivated him to establish his own charitable foundation.

He explained: ‘Once your child turns 21, they’re kind of on their own. All the safeguards that are put in place, special ed classes, that all goes away, so you’re left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society and more often than not is left behind.’

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2024-08-08 18:51

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