Actor Gary Sinise, best known for roles in Forrest Gump, Of Mice and Men and CSI: NY, has announced the death of his son at the age of 33.
McCanna Anthony 'Mac' Sinise died on January 5, his father confirmed, having spent the last five years of his life battling the "very rare" cancer, chordoma.
Sinise broke the news with his fans on the Gary Sinise Foundation website in a lengthy post detailing his son's battle.
The actor shared how in 2017, his son joined him working at the Gary Sinise Foundation - something the actor described "as a gift".
"I was always happy to have him join me on the road, and I could see how much joy and pride he shared in our mission," Sinise added.
Delving into the hardships that faced the entire Sinise family the year after, Sinise admitted it was a "particularly challenging time for our family" as both his son and his wife were diagnosed with cancer.
Gary Sinise (left) is best known for starring opposite Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump
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"In June of that year, my wife Moira was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and after surgery to remove lymph nodes, she began chemotherapy and radiation.
"Then, on August 8, we found out that Mac was diagnosed with a very rare cancer called Chordoma. What was happening? What is Chordoma? I had never heard of this."
Sinise said the news felt like a "gut punch" at the time.
His wife has been cancer-free after months of treatment in 2018 but sadly for his son, despite several operations on his spine, the cancer spread.
A message from @GarySinise https://t.co/vfkjvsqevt pic.twitter.com/hmnWRyEJs7
— GarySiniseFoundation (@GarySiniseFound) February 27, 2024
Sinise confirmed, "he died on January 5, 2024 at 3:25pm, and was laid to rest on January 23rd".
The actor said his son's death has left the family "heartbroken and have been managing as best we can".
He added: "As parents, it is so difficult losing a child. My heart goes out to all who have suffered a similar loss, and to anyone who has lost a loved one".
Sinise concluded his post dedicated to his son by saying: "Our family's cancer fight lasted for 5 ½ years, and it became more and more challenging as time went on. While our hearts ache at missing him, we are comforted in knowing that Mac is no longer struggling, and inspired and moved by how he managed it.
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Gary Sinise paid tribute to his son Mac in a lengthy post on his foundation's website
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"He fought an uphill battle against a cancer that has no cure, but he never quit trying.
"Mac loved movies, and we always told him he reminded us of the soldier at the end of the extraordinary film 1917, running through the battlefield, bombs going off all around him, knocking him down one after the other, yet he keeps getting back up, refusing to quit and keeps running forward.
"I am so blessed, fortunate, and proud to be his dad."
Mac was a budding musician and despite the disability the cancer caused upon him, he was able to lend his talents to a final piece before his death.