Actor Colin Farrell has two sons, James Padraig Farrell and Henry Tadeusz Farrell. James Padraig Farrell, born in 2003, is his first son with model Kim Bordenave. James was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system and causes developmental delays and neurological problems. Colin Farrell has been very open about his son’s condition.
Colin Farrell is best known for a variety of roles in both film and television. He gained significant acclaim for his performance as Ray, a hitman in “In Bruges” (2008), which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. His role as Stu Shepard in “Phone Booth” (2002), a man trapped in a phone booth by a sniper, significantly boosted his career. In the sci-fi thriller “Minority Report” (2002), directed by Steven Spielberg, Farrell plays Danny Witwer, a Department of Justice agent. He also took on the role of Alexander the Great in the historical epic “Alexander” (2004), directed by Oliver Stone.
Farrell’s versatility is apparent in his portrayal of Detective Ray Velcoro in the second season of the popular HBO series “True Detective” (2015). In “The Gentlemen” (2019), Farrell plays Coach, a character involved in the British criminal underworld. Most recently, in “The Batman” (2022), he portrays Oswald Cobblepot, also known as The Penguin.
Colin Farrell (48) recently held an interview with People to talk about his 20 year-old son with Angelman syndrome. James is nonverbal and Colin has a live-in caregiver who assists with caring for James. In September James will turn 21 and this is significant in terms of support systems for families with special needs kids.
“Once your child turns 21, they’re kind of on their own,” Farrell told People. “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.”
In order to help families with the lack of public services once a child reaches 21 Colin created a foundation. The Colin Farrell Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and supporting research for Angelman syndrome, a condition that Colin Farrell’s son, James, has been diagnosed with. The foundation works to provide resources and support for families affected by the disorder, promote understanding and acceptance, and fund scientific research to find treatments and ultimately a cure for Angelman syndrome. Colin Farrell has used his public platform to advocate for these causes, bringing attention to the challenges faced by individuals with the condition and their families.
The actor said James “has worked so hard all his life, so hard,” Farrell adds. “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.”
The big motivation for all of this is summed up best by the star “I want the world to be kind to James,” Farrell told PEOPLE. “I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect.”