Gary Sinise has shared details about his son Mac's struggle with chordoma, a rare bone cancer, which ultimately led to his death at age 33.
"Mac tried 25 different drugs over a four-and-a-half year period," Sinise told People magazine in an interview published Wednesday. "I never lost hope that we were going to hit the sweet spot."
Sinise, 71, paused his acting career in 2020 to care for his son, who was diagnosed with the illness two years prior. The actor described Mac as "running through the battlefield, [with] bombs knocking you down, and you’re still getting back up," comparing him to the hero in the film "1917."
Mac died in 2024, six years after his diagnosis. His sister, Ella, said that while Mac's body was "destroyed" by the cancer, he remained a "beautiful person" who didn't let his illness stop him from living. She noted that he continued to attend Mass, learn the harmonica, and watch Cubs games.
Sinise also cared for his wife, Moira, during this period. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent extensive treatment. Following her recovery, Moira battled degenerative lumbar disc disease, requiring hip replacements and spinal surgery that left her permanently disabled.
Moira described the situation as being "the man at the circus juggling plates," adding, "All I wanted to do was hold him, and I couldn’t."
Despite the challenges, Sinise maintained that he does not regret prioritizing his family over his career. "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.
Sinise is further detailing his son's death and his family's journey in his upcoming memoir, "Graceful Warrior: The True Story of a Son, a Father, and a Family Who Carried Each Other Through," set for release later this month.