In a candid and deeply emotional interview, Colin Farrell is opening up about a decision no parent ever wants to make: placing his 21-year-old son James, who lives with Angelman syndrome, in a long-term care facility.
The 48-year-old actor, known for his chameleon-like roles in films such as "The Banshees of Inisherin" and "The Penguin," recently told Candis magazine (via The Independent) that this move comes not from a place of abandonment but out of love, foresight, and fear of the unknown.
"It's tricky – some parents will say, 'I want to take care of my child myself,' and I respect that," Farrell said. "But my horror would be, what if I have a heart attack tomorrow, and, God forbid, James' mother, Kim, has a car crash and she's taken too – and then James is on his own?"
A Decision Made Out of Love, Not Convenience
Farrell and his ex-partner, model Kim Bordenave, who co-parent James, have spent years navigating the unique challenges of raising a child with Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes developmental delays, limited speech, mobility issues, and seizures, per the Mayo Clinic.
They're now working together to find a long-term facility where James can thrive, stay connected with them, and have the freedom to live his life surrounded by care and community. "We want him to find somewhere where he can have a full and happy life, where he feels connected," Farrell said.
This isn't a goodbye; it's a pivot toward long-term stability. The plan includes frequent visits and outings to ensure James always knows he's not just loved but prioritized.
The Reality of Angelman Syndrome
Angelman syndrome affects about 1 in 12,000 to 20,000 people. It's a lifelong condition that typically results in severe developmental delays, balance and movement issues, and little to no verbal communication. Most individuals with Angelman syndrome require full-time care throughout their lives.
It's something Farrell has never shied away from talking about. He's used his platform for years to bring awareness to the condition and even more so now.
Starting the James Farrell Foundation
In August 2024, Farrell launched a foundation in honor of his son, aiming to increase support, education, and kindness for people with neurogenetic disorders.
"I want the world to be kind to James," Farrell told People. "I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect."
It's not just about advocacy; it's about legacy. Farrell wants James' story to outlast them both. But he's also aware that James can't give his explicit blessing for all this attention. "I mean, I can [ask him]. I speak to James as if he's 20 and has perfect fluency in the English language… But I can't discern a particular answer from him," he admitted. "So I have to make a call based on knowing James' spirit."
Farrell has never been shy about crediting James for changing the course of his life. His nearly two-decade-long sobriety journey began as he reckoned with the responsibility of fatherhood and the fragility of James' health.
"Part of the fuel that I used to get off alcohol and drugs… was knowing he had health issues," he told the Daily Mail in 2024. "One of the things James taught me was to access within myself a desire to live."
In 2021, Farrell and Bordenave filed for conservatorship of James ahead of his 18th birthday, not for control but for protection. Their aim was always to ensure James' future was secure, no matter what happened to them.
Now, with this next chapter unfolding, the goal is to ensure James is never alone, never unprotected, and always surrounded by care, whether or not his parents are there to provide it directly.