Colin Farrell shares a rare glimpse into his private life and the challenges and joys of raising his son James, who has Angelman syndrome. The actor has also launched a foundation to help families with children who have special needs.
For years, Colin Farrell has guarded his private life like a fortress. However, in a rare and heartfelt interview with People magazine, the 48-year-old actor has opened up about his family, specifically his son James, who has a rare neurogenic disorder called Angelman syndrome.
Farrell has always been tight-lipped about his personal life, but he made an exception for this interview, hoping to raise awareness about Angelman syndrome and help other families who are facing similar challenges.
Colin Farrell Opens Up About Fatherhood, Special Needs Son, and New Foundation
"I'm very private. I've never had crews within our home. It's a very safe space," Farrell told People. "I have to, or choose to believe, that if James knew that doing this could help families and other young adults who live with special needs, he would say, ‘Dad, what are you talking about? Why are you even asking me? It’s a no-brainer.'"
James, 20, is Farrell's oldest child. He shares James with model Kim Bordenave. Farrell also has a 14-year-old son, Henry, with "Ondine" costar Alicja Bachleda-Curús.
Colin Farrell Opens Up About Fatherhood, Special Needs Son, and New Foundation
In the interview, Farrell detailed James' early childhood and the moments leading up to his diagnosis. "I thought he was just a chill baby, but then he just wasn't hitting benchmarks," said Farrell. "He wasn't sitting up, crawling. … We knew something was up developmental, delays."
James was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome around 2 years old, said Farrell.
Colin Farrell Opens Up About Fatherhood, Special Needs Son, and New Foundation
"To be told that he may never walk and see those first steps, I’ll just never forget it. It was so overwhelmingly beautiful." — Colin Farrell
Angelman syndrome is a condition caused by a change in a gene, called a genetic change, according to the Mayo Clinic. It causes delayed development, problems with speech and balance, mental disability and, sometimes, seizures.
Colin Farrell Opens Up About Fatherhood, Special Needs Son, and New Foundation
While adjusting to the news, Farrell said he was greeted with some of life's most "profound" moments.
"I’ll never forget James’ first steps,' he recalled. "Two weeks short of his fourth birthday. We were in the house we lived in at the time, and Deborah (a member of James' care team) came upstairs and said, ‘James has something to show you.’"
"She said go over there. She let him go," Farrell said, while fighting back tears. "It was so profound. It was magic. I'll never forget the face of determination as he just walked towards me. I burst into tears. It was amazing."
To be told that he may never walk and see those first steps, I’ll just never forget it. It was so overwhelmingly beautiful."
Farrell described one of the most "profound" moments of his life.
In honor of James, the Golden Globe Award-winning actor recently launched the Colin Farrell Foundation, an effort to create a support system for families with kids who have special needs.
"For years, [I've] wanted to do something in the realm of providing greater opportunities for families who have a child with special needs, to receive the support that they deserve, basically the assistance in all areas of life," he said.
Farrell said once a 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.
"This is the first time I’ve spoken about it, and obviously the only reason I’m speaking is I can’t ask James if he wants to do this."
"I mean, I can. I speak to James as if he’s 20 and has perfect fluency with the English language and age-appropriate cognitive ability," he added. "But I can’t discern a particular answer from him as to whether he’s comfortable with all this or not. So, I have to make a call based on knowing James’ spirit and what kind of young man he is and the goodness that he has in his heart."
