A tragic event; Gary Sinise loses his young son. The actor said his son was diagnosed with a rare cancer, chordoma, in 2018.
Gary Sinise recently paid a heartfelt tribute to his late son, McCanna Anthony “Mac” Sinise, who passed away on January 5 at the age of 33 due to a rare form of cancer called chordoma. The actor, known for his roles in “Forrest Gump,” “Apollo 13,” “The Green Mile,” and “CSI NY,” shared a touching post on Instagram featuring a photo of Mac with the text, “In Honor & Memory of McCanna ‘Mac’ Sinise 1990-2024.”
In the post’s caption, Sinise directed followers to the Gary Sinise Foundation website to read a detailed tribute to his son. He expressed the profound sorrow his family feels, stating, “Like any family experiencing such a loss, we are heartbroken and have been managing as best we can. 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.”
Mac’s battle with cancer lasted five and a half years, growing increasingly challenging over time. He was diagnosed in 2018, the same year Sinise’s wife, Moira Harris, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Thankfully, Harris is now cancer-free after months of treatment. Despite the pain of losing Mac, Sinise finds comfort in knowing that his son is no longer suffering. “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,” Sinise wrote.
Chordoma, the cancer that took Mac’s life, is a slow-growing cancer affecting tissue within the spine, with only 1 in 1 million people diagnosed each year. It typically appears near the tailbone or at the base of the skull, with an average survival rate of around 10 years post-diagnosis, depending on the tumor’s location and surgical removal success.
Sinise also highlighted Mac’s zest for life, his contributions to the Gary Sinise Foundation, and his passion for music. Mac completed a full album titled “Mac Sinise: Resurrection and Revival” before his death. Sinise hopes that sharing his family’s story will shed light on their difficult time and celebrate Mac’s life. “An incredible inspiration to those who knew and loved him, he faced his battle with grace, courage, and love,” Sinise wrote.
The tribute concluded with a heartfelt message to Mac: “We were blessed to have you in our lives as son, brother, and friend…and we will miss you and love you for eternity.” In addition to Mac, Gary Sinise has two daughters, Sophie and Ella.