Colin Farrell, 48-year-old actor, certified heartthrob, and part-time Batman villain (shoutout to The Penguin), is getting real about parenting, long-term planning, and the very real fears that come with raising a child with special needs.
His 21-year-old son James, who was born with Angelman syndrome — a rare genetic condition that basically makes life a bit more complicated, with challenges in speech, motor skills, and development — is about to make a big move. And nope, not to Hollywood to follow in dad’s brooding footsteps. James is heading to a long-term care facility, and Colin’s being super open about why.
In an interview with Candis magazine (which sounds like a fancy candle store, but is actually legit), Colin said the quiet part out loud:
“Some parents say, ‘I want to care for my child myself,’ and I respect that… BUT WHAT IF I KEEL OVER FROM A HEART ATTACK TOMORROW?”
Honestly, fair. Imagine being one chest pain away from your child’s entire future being decided by bureaucratic roulette. The horror. Not the kind he acts in — the real-life, “what happens if both parents get abducted by aliens or eaten by mutant seagulls” kind of horror.
He and James’ mom, Kim Bordenave, are making the big move now, while they’re still around and able to scout out a place that isn’t some depressing institution run by a raccoon named Dave who plays harmonica at lunch.
“We’re looking for somewhere we like… where we can visit, and take him out sometimes, and he can have a full, happy life.”
Because that’s the dream, right? A place where James can thrive, feel connected, maybe roast marshmallows on the weekend, and NOT be shuffled around by people who think “Angelman” is a Marvel character.
Colin, who is also dad to 15-year-old Henry (from a different mom, Alicja Bachleda-Curús — yes, his dad game is international), is just doing what great parents do: planning ahead, even when it’s really hard.
So no jokes here (okay, less jokes here): this is brave, loving, and exactly the kind of vulnerable dad moment we love to see. Props to you, Colin. You may play villains, but this move is pure hero energy. 🦸♂️
