"Sometimes you just fall down": Forrest Gump actor Gary Sinise opens up about caring for his late son who battled cancer

When Forrest Gump’s Gary Sinise speaks of caring for his late son who battled cancer, he make sure to bring out honesty and gentle humor. In 2019, as Sinise’s wife Moira faced her own breast cancer diagnosis, the family was dealt a devastating blow when their son, McCanna “Mac” Sinise, was found to have chordoma—a rare, aggressive bone cancer.

Details of Mac’s six-year fight include numerous spine surgeries, rounds of radiation, and experimental treatments that no standard protocol could tame. Throughout that period, Sinise stepped away from acting commitments—spending six of the first eight months of 2020 in hospitals or at home researching treatments—to be Mac’s primary advocate and emotional anchor.

Drawing on his deep Catholic faith, Sinise leaned on prayer and the support of physicians who experimented tirelessly to give Mac every possible chance at recovery.

Gary Siniste caring for Mac: “Sometimes you just fall down”

It was in those grueling hospital corridors that Sinise felt the full weight of his dual roles as caregiver and parent.

“He knew from the beginning he had an uphill battle to fight,” Sinise said, recalling how Mac approached each new treatment with quiet determination—and a harmonica in hand when other instruments became impossible

During Mac’s six-month hospitalization in 2020, Sinise told his agents, “I just can’t leave home to go to jobs,” choosing instead to coordinate with doctors and handle every logistical detail so Mac could focus on healing. Yet, there were days when hope felt elusive:

“You’re trying to take any thought of cancer away from the patient so they don’t have to think about it. And sometimes you just fall down,” he admitted, describing the emotional toll of watching his son’s strength ebb and flow.

Even in those low moments, Sinise found courage in Mac’s grace and resilience, noting that on days Mac wasn’t debilitated by treatment, “he was trying to live”.

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Honoring asSon and embracing the future

Mac’s battle wasn’t fought in isolation. Supported by oncologists willing to try cutting-edge drugs and by The Gary Sinise Foundation’s network, Mac became a symbol of perseverance amid the foundation’s mission to serve those who serve. As the family provided tumor tissue to research at the Broad Institute, Sinise said he knew Mac would want to “provide hope for future patients”.

Since Mac’s passing on January 5, 2024, Sinise has channeled his grief into celebrating his son’s musical gifts—co-producing two posthumous albums from Mac’s compositions, with proceeds aiding veterans and first responders. Though uncertain about a return to acting, Sinise remains committed to family life in Tennessee, finding purpose in ensuring Mac’s art continues to inspire audiences the way his son inspired those around him.

Gary Sinise’s journey illustrates both the heartbreak of losing a child and the profound love that sustains a family through unimaginable challenges. By sharing his experience caring for a son with cancer, Sinise honors Mac’s memory and highlights the impact of compassionate caregiving.

And now as he highlight on preserving his son’s musical legacy and cherishing moments with loved ones, Sinise proves that even after the darkest trials, family, faith, and art can light the way forward.

Jasmine is a journalist for Primetimer

She graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Sophia College in Mumbai, where she had the unique opportunity to publish research in social science and media.

Jasmine holds more than three years of experience including an ex-Founder's role at a digital marketing agency called 'Very Weird'. Additionally, she also had stints as a journalist at GrowMeOrganic and Scatter Content. She also worked in the Social Media Management team for beauty and wellness brands, Green Maven and Yoga House Mumbai.

Jasmine is a strict follower of ethics in journalism and stays updated with industry developments in order to improve her craft. She is committed to presenting diverse perspectives, which enriches her storytelling and enhances the relevance of her articles in today’s dynamic media landscape.