Colin Farrell has shared a deeply personal decision regarding the future care of his son, James, who lives with Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder. Now 21, James requires full-time assistance, and Colin, 48, says he and his former partner, Kim Bordenave, want to ensure he has a safe, supportive environment—both now and in the future.
In a candid interview with Candis Magazine, the Oscar-nominated actor explained their decision to seek a long-term care facility for James while they are still healthy and able to be involved in his daily life.
“It’s tricky,” Colin said. “Some parents feel they must do everything themselves, and I respect that. But what if something unexpected happens to me or Kim, and James is left without us? We want to have a say in where he’ll live, to choose a place where he feels connected, supported, and happy.”
Colin and Kim’s goal is to find a residence that allows James to live a fulfilling life while still being able to visit family and enjoy outings.
Angelman syndrome is a rare genetic condition that affects the nervous system, often resulting in developmental delays, challenges with movement and balance, and minimal or absent speech. For years, James was believed to have cerebral palsy, a common misdiagnosis due to the similarities in early symptoms.
Colin recalled how James missed early developmental milestones, such as crawling or sitting up, prompting further medical evaluation. By age two and a half, doctors noticed James had some distinguishing traits—such as frequent laughter and hand-flapping—leading to a diagnosis of Angelman syndrome.
“I remember asking, ‘What’s the life expectancy? Will he be in pain?’” Colin shared. “And the doctor told me, ‘Life expectancy is normal, and no, there’s no pain involved.’ That gave us some peace.”
Over the years, James has faced challenges, including seizures, which can be a part of Angelman syndrome. Colin described learning how to manage these medical needs while ensuring James could thrive.
“Thankfully, it’s been over a decade since his last serious seizure,” he said. “But it’s taken time and care to find the right treatment plan.”
The actor now plans to launch the Colin Farrell Foundation, focused on supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He said that although James cannot give consent to being in the public eye, he hopes sharing their story can help others.
“I’m proud of him every day,” Colin said. “He’s overcome so much and continues to grow. When he first started feeding himself, it was a bit messy, but he figured it out—and now he does it beautifully.”
He described the emotional moment James took his first independent steps just before his fourth birthday. “He walked toward me with so much determination. I burst into tears. It was pure magic.”
Now a young adult, James requires daily assistance from a live-in caregiver and still relies on his family for support with everyday tasks. In preparation for his adult years, Colin and Kim filed for legal conservatorship just before his 18th birthday.
Despite the challenges, the proud father celebrates each of his son’s achievements—no matter how big or small. “We still celebrate everything,” Colin said. “His first words at age six, feeding himself at 19, and managing his health. Every step forward means the world to us.”
While Colin has remained largely private about his family life, he chose to share their journey to help others feel less alone. “Being a parent to a child with special needs is full of unique joys and trials. It’s important to know there’s a community out there that understands.”
James was born during Colin’s relationship with Kim Bordenave, which lasted from 2001 to 2003. The actor also has a younger son, Henry, with Polish actress Alicja Bachleda-Curus.
