Colin Farrell in tears watching son with Angelman syndrome take first steps

Colin Farrell has shared a profoundly emotional moment when he witnessed his son James take his first steps just before turning four. Known for his role in “The Banshees of Inisherin,” Farrell’s son James, now 20, was born with Angelman syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes developmental delays and other challenges.

In a conversation with People, the Irish actor described the overwhelming joy and shock he felt watching his son walk for the first time. “I knew they [James’s carers] were working on walking,” Farrell said. “And I stood over there, and she let him go, and he just came to [me]. It was so profound. It was magic.”

Farrell vividly recalled the determination on James’s face as he walked toward him, recounting, “He took, like, six steps, and I burst into tears.” James was born in 2003 to Farrell and his then-girlfriend Kim Bordenave. The former couple filed for conservatorship of James in May 2021, when he was 17 years old.

During the interview, Farrell announced the launch of the Colin Farrell Foundation, which aims to support individuals and families dealing with intellectual disabilities through advocacy, education, and innovative programs. This initiative is a tribute to James, who is nonverbal.

Farrell explained that James, who turns 21 in September, will soon age out of many accessible programs catered to families with special needs children. “Once your child turns 21, they’re kind of on their own,” Farrell mentioned. “All the safeguards that are put in place – special ed classes – that all goes away. So, you’re left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society and more often than not is left behind.”

Sitting in the garden with James and his live-in caregiver, Farrell expressed his hopes for his son, saying, “I want the world to be kind to James. I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect.” This marked the first time Farrell publicly spoke about his foundation, noting that he can’t ask James for his opinion on the matter but believes in honoring James’s spirit and the goodness in his heart.

Farrell said, “I speak to James as if he’s 20 and has perfect fluency with the English language and age-appropriate cognitive ability. But I can’t discern a particular answer from him as to whether he’s comfortable with all this or not, so I have to make a call based on knowing James’s spirit and what kind of young man he is and the goodness that he has in his heart.”

The actor praised his son for his hard work and perseverance, saying, “Repetition, repetition, balance, his jerky gait. When he started feeding himself for the first time, his face looks like a Jackson Pollock by the end of it. But he gets it in, he feeds himself beautifully. I’m proud of him every day, because I just think he’s magic.” Farrell admitted that while getting his photo taken isn’t James’s favorite activity, he believes James would support the publicity if it helps other families with special needs children.

“This is all because of James,” Farrell said. “It’s all in his honor.”