Gary Sinise opened up about the challenging journey he faced caring for his son, Mac, who was diagnosed with chordoma, an uncommon type of cancer affecting only 300 people annually in the United States. Sinise recounted their experience with this rare disease, highlighting the courage and determination Mac showed while confronting the illness.
Mac initially began suffering from tailbone pain, which was mistakenly thought to be a bruise or fracture. However, after enduring pain for years, doctors ultimately discovered a large tumor at the base of his spine. Sinise explained,
“Our son started to have pain in his tailbone,”
and added,
“We thought it was a bruise or a fracture or something. And he endured that pain for a number of years.”
—Gary Sinise
The Fight Against Chordoma: A Tumor that Returns
The tumor Mac had was significant in size, and while treatment initially showed hope—since doctors can remove such tumors 70% of the time without recurrence—Mac’s cancer was part of the 30% where the tumor returned and spread. Sinise shared the devastating news,
“And 70% of the time… they can go in and take it out and there’s no recurrence — it doesn’t come back. Thirty percent of the time it comes back and spreads. And we got dealt that card.”
—Gary Sinise
Despite these setbacks, Mac refused to let the disease define him. He connected with researcher Josh Sommer and volunteered to help with efforts seeking a cure. Together, their work led to the founding of the Chordoma Foundation, which now supports thousands of patients worldwide.
Sinise noted how remarkable Mac’s self-education was during this process, saying,
“He taught himself everything he could possibly teach himself about chordoma,
and continued,
I mean, he’s like a medical guy who never went to medical school. And he’s a brilliant young guy.”
—Gary Sinise
Endurance Beyond Treatment: Battles in the Hospital
Mac’s health continued to decline after multiple tumors appeared, resulting in five additional surgeries. Throughout his struggle, he remained resilient, trying 24 different medications over four and a half years in an effort to halt cancer’s progress. Sinise described his role during this time, saying,
“I became, like, my son’s battle buddy…I was living with him in the hospitals. I was dealing with the doctors.”
—Gary Sinise
As the cancer spread and paralyzed Mac from the chest down, his spirits remained uplifting. Sinise reflected on his son‘s strength, saying,
“Mac was the biggest blessing of all because of the way that he dealt with it.”
—Gary Sinise
Putting Family First: Sinise Limits Work to Support Son
In response to these difficult circumstances, Sinise made a conscious choice to pause much of his acting career starting in 2019. He focused instead on supporting Mac’s well-being, balancing flexible TV roles and performances with the Gary Sinise Foundation. The dedication came from a desire to maximize quality moments with his son, as he explained,
“I just wanted to help Mac as much as I could,”
and added,
I wanted him to have as many good days as possible.”
—Gary Sinise
Though this period was among the hardest in Sinise’s life, he credited his faith for helping him remain grounded throughout the ordeal.
Mac’s Lasting Legacy Through Music and Advocacy
In Mac’s final year, he completed two albums titled Resurrection & Revival, Parts 1 and 2, which reflected his enduring spirit and hope. He sadly passed away two months after his 33rd birthday. Sinise spoke emotionally of his son’s final days, saying,
“It’s a sad story, you know?”
and,
“But the way Mac dealt with it so gracefully, and the smiles that I saw on his face in the hospital those last days when he showed people the videos on his phone of his music…that’s priceless.”
—Gary Sinise
Mac’s music continues to inspire, ranking among the top 10 most downloaded albums on iTunes in the U.S. By Mac’s wishes, all earnings from vinyl record sales fund the Gary Sinise Foundation, helping service members and their families. Sinise noted,
“He continues to help us help our service members,”
calling it a beautiful blessing.
A Tribute to Resilience, Love, and Inspiration
Mac’s journey, filled with determination and bravery, touches many lives—both through his role in advancing chordoma research and through the music he left behind. Gary Sinise’s unwavering commitment to his son exemplifies a father’s profound love and the strength found in facing life’s toughest battles together.
Their story stands as a powerful reminder of hope amid hardship, and the lasting impact one individual can have when courage and compassion guide their path.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Gary Sinise pro Trump?
A. Even though Sinise has always supported the Republican Party, he did not back Donald Trump in the 2016 or 2024 elections. He criticized Trump for questioning McCain’s status as a war hero due to his capture as a prisoner of war.
Q. What disability does Gary Sinise’s son have?
A. Mac Sinise, the 33-year-old son of Sinise, passed away on January 5, 2024. He died nearly five years after learning he had chordoma. This rare sarcoma develops at the skull’s base and the spine’s sacrum.
Q. Why doesn’t Gary Sinise like Tom Hanks?
A. The situation might be influenced by politics because Sinise is a well-known Conservative in Hollywood, and Hanks is a Democrat. Despite their political differences, there is no evidence that their relationship has been negatively affected.
Q. How did Gary Sinise lose his 33 year old son?
A. For over twenty years, Sinise has been comforting military and public defender families. His understanding of grief deepened when he lost his 33-year-old son to cancer on January 5, 2024.
