Colin Farrell's private life as devoted father of two - including son with rare genetic disorder

Colin Farrell is captivating audiences once again in the second season of Apple TV+'s neo-noir detective hit, Sugar. But while the 50-year-old Irish star is a household name thanks to his roles in In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin, his most profound role remains off-camera: being a devoted father to his two sons, James and Henry.

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The Oscar-nominated actor has often shared candid insights into parenthood, particularly his journey raising a child with Angelman syndrome. 

Meet James and Henry

Colin shares his eldest son, 22-year-old James Padraig, with ex-girlfriend Kim Bordenave. His youngest, 16-year-old Henry Tadeusz, was welcomed during his relationship with Ondine co-star Alicja Bachleda-Curús.

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Advocating for James

James lives with Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder that renders him nonverbal. Since speaking publicly about the condition in 2007, Colin has become a passionate advocate.

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In 2024, he launched the Colin Farrell Foundation to provide dedicated support for adult children like James.

Speaking with Candis Magazine last year, Colin expressed his wish for James to find a care facility where he can thrive: "We want him to find somewhere where he can have a full and happy life, where he feels connected. Somewhere we can visit and take him out sometimes."

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Opening up about his relationship with his eldest son, Colin previously told PEOPLE: "I speak to James as if he's 20 and has perfect fluency with the English language and age-appropriate cognitive ability. 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's spirit and what kind of young man he is and the goodness that he has in his heart."

He added: "I want the world to be kind to James. I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect."

Colin's youngest son, Henry

Younger son Henry, born in 2009, joined his father at the 2023 Oscars, where the duo donned matching velour tuxedos. He's stood alongside his dad at various red carpet events since, including the 2025 Emmys and the New York premiere of The Penguin in 2024. 

Despite their dapper red-carpet appearance, Henry isn't always a fan of his dad's style.

Colin jokingly told Ellen DeGeneres in 2022 that Henry is "mortified" by his dad's love of short shorts. 

"He says, 'Please Dad, do not wear the short shorts.' And I tell him, 'They feel good.' It's not a fashion thing."