Gary Sinise opens up about wife’s stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis amid son’s death from chordoma

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA : In a heart-wrenching revelation, actor Gary Sinise shared the devastating news of his son's death after a courageous battle with cancer. McCanna 'Mac' Sinise, beloved son of the 'Forrest Gump' star, succumbed to rare spinal cancer Chordoma at the age of 33 on January 5.

Gary, 68, disclosed the profound challenges his family faced, revealing that his wife, Moira Harris, had been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in June 2018, just months before Mac's cancer diagnosis. Despite Moira's successful treatment and remission, Mac's condition continued to deteriorate, leading to his untimely demise.

Gary Sinise reveals family's dual cancer struggle before son's tragic death

In a poignant tribute posted on the Gary Sinise Foundation's website, the actor reflected on the tumultuous journey his family endured. He recounted the summer of 2018 as a period of immense hardship, marked by the dual diagnoses of cancer within their household. The unexpected news of Mac's Chordoma diagnosis added further strain, prompting Gary to describe the situation as "a real punch in the gut".

"The summer of 2018 was a particularly challenging time for our family. In June of that year, my wife Moira was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and after surgery to remove lymph nodes, she began chemotherapy and radiation," he wrote in the tribute.

"Then, on August 8th, we found out that Mac was diagnosed with a very rare cancer called Chordoma. What was happening? What is Chordoma? I had never heard of this. And two cancer patients, mother and son, within two months of each other? A real punch in the gut."

"Thankfully, after months of treatment, Moira went into remission and has been cancer-free ever since," he shared.

Moira is a retired actress, and has been featured in television series like 'The Equalizer' and 'Karen Sisco'.

Despite undergoing multiple surgeries and treatments, Mac's health steadily declined. Gary expressed gratitude for Moira's recovery but lamented the tragic loss of their beloved son.

Mac was then persuaded to record a version of 'Oh Shenandoah' that featured his harmonica and utilized the string section that had been contracted.

It has been revealed that Sinise's son was inspired to record an entire album filled out with three more of his original compositions titled 'Resurrection & Revival', 'Resurrection & Revival', "with a theme of bringing something that was old or unfinished back to life."

Gary Sinise mourns death of son Mac due to cancer

The renowned actor and philanthropist, announced the tragic passing of his son, Mac Sinise, after a valiant fight against a rare form of cancer.

"It was a very special day for him, and he asked me to play bass on one of the tunes, a cover of the old American folk song 'Red River Valley', with him playing harmonica," Gary shared, adding that it was a song Mac's mother would sing to him when he was a child.

"That day was indeed a special day for the two of us," he added.

However, Sinise uncovered that Mac was struggling to breathe was forced to go to the hospital on December 30, 2023, where he would remain to the end.

Mac lived long enough to complete his album, but he died on January 5, the same week that the album went to press, and Sinise revealed that his son was laid to rest on January 23.

"Like any family experiencing such a loss, we are heartbroken and have been managing as best we can," Sinise wrote. "As parents, it is so difficult losing a child."

Sinise, who noted that Mac battled cancer for five-and-a-half years, wrote: "While our hearts ache at missing him, we are comforted in knowing that Mac is no longer struggling, and inspired and moved by how he managed it."

"He fought an uphill battle against a cancer that has no cure, but he never quit trying," he added.

Gary shared that his son was a cinephile, and he recalled that "We always told him he reminded us of the soldier at the end of the extraordinary film '1917', running through the battlefield, bombs going off all around him, knocking him down one after the other, yet he keeps getting back up, refusing to quit and keeps running forward."

"I am so blessed, fortunate, and proud to be his dad," he added.

"I have learned from them and been inspired by them," he wrote, adding, "Knowing them gave me strength."

"Our family is grateful for all those who have helped us, loved us, and supported us in this fight."

He concluded by addressing his late son directly. "Thank you, Mac. You did it. 'Resurrection & Revival' will live on. And so will you. In our hearts forever."