Forrest Gump star Gary Sinise got candid about the devastation of losing his only son, McCanna "Mac" Sinise, who passed away in January 2024 at the age of 33. The professional drummer had been diagnosed with cancer of the spine in 2018, and Gary spent several years caring for his son, as well as his wife, Moira Harris.
The 71-year-old opened up about Mac's death, revealing that he left behind several heartfelt gifts for his family, including rosaries and letters for them. He also composed several songs, which Gary had compiled into a series of albums that were released between 2024 and 2026. Proceeds from the album sales went to the Gary Sinise Foundation, per his request.
Saying goodbye to Mac Sinise
© Gary Sinise Foundation"He wouldn't want us to be curled up in a ball in the corner. He wouldn't want us to fall apart. He wanted us to be strong and to continue to live," Gary told People of the gifts he left behind.
Mac was diagnosed with chordoma, an ultra-rare form of bone cancer, in 2018, after experiencing pain in his tailbone. This came just as his mother, Moira, was undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
© InstagramWhile she recovered from the disease, her son began to develop tumors that left him paralyzed from the chest down and confined to a wheelchair. "His chest looked like rocks were pressing out from beneath his skin," Gary wrote in his book, Graceful Warrior.
"His body was just destroyed," Gary and Moira's daughter, Ella, told People. "But sick Mac was still a beautiful person. He didn't let it stop him." For more than four years, Mac tried a myriad of different drugs to try and treat his illness. "I never lost hope that we were going to hit the sweet spot," Gary said.
Sadly, Mac passed away on January 5, 2024, after a lengthy cancer battle. "We surrounded him when he took his last breath," his sister Sophie recalled. "As incredibly hard as it was, we got a glimpse into eternal life. And the gifts keep unfolding. You feel his presence everywhere."
Gary reflected on his son's legacy, sharing that while the family "didn't get the miracle we were all praying for," they could still look back on the miracle that was Mac's life.
Gary Sinise's Hollywood legacy
© Getty ImagesThe CSI: NY star stepped back from Hollywood in 2020 to care for Mac and Moira, and explained that he was able to do that thanks to his success in the industry.
"Family was the priority. One of the blessings is that I had succeeded in Hollywood, and I could afford to be there for my family 24/7," he said.
© GettyGary shot to fame in the '90s thanks to his breakout role as Lieutenant Dan Taylor in Forrest Gump alongside Tom Hanks, before delivering acclaimed performances in Apollo 13, Of Mice and Men, The Green Mile, Truman, George Wallace and CSI: NY.
The actor met Moira while studying at Illinois State University, and they tied the knot in 1981 before welcoming their kids Sophie, Mac and Ella.
