Colin Farrell's son's rare health condition as actor shares heartache over placing him in care

Irish actor has emotionally explained his decision to Originally, his son James was mistakenly diagnosed with cerebral palsy, but it later turned out he has Angelman syndrome, which is a rare genetic disorder known to severely impact the nervous system and cause significant learning disabilities.

Oscar-nominated actor . Colin, 48, opened up about their decision, expressing concerns over what would happen to James if both parents were no longer around.

"It's tricky, some parents will say 'I want to take care of my child myself' and I respect that," commented Colin. "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?".

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In a heartfelt interview with Candis Magazine, the star of The Batman explained the urgency of finding a care solution: "Then he's a ward of the state and he goes where? We'd have no say in it."

What is Angelman syndrome?

Angelman syndrome is a rare genetic condition that affects the nervous system and can trigger serious physical and learning difficulties. The notes that individuals with Angelman syndrome typically have a nearly normal life expectancy, yet they require lifelong support.

The NHS website states: "A child with Angelman syndrome will begin to show signs of delayed development at around 6 to 12 months of age, such as being unable to sit unsupported or make babbling noises.

"Later, they may not speak at all or may only be able to say a few words. However, most children with Angelman syndrome will be able to communicate using gestures, signs or other systems."

The NHS also notes that in most cases of Angelman syndrome, the child's parents do not have the condition and the genetic difference responsible for the syndrome happens by chance around the time of conception.

"Angelman syndrome usually happens when the gene known as UBE3A is either missing or not working properly," the NHS website states. "A gene is a single unit of genetic material (DNA) that acts as an instruction for the way an individual is made and develops. Usually a child gets 2 copies of this gene, one from each parent, but only the gene from the mother is active."

What has Colin Farrell said about his son's health battles?

Colin and James' mother Kim are currently actively seeking a suitable facility for their son to ensure that they can maintain involvement in his life by visiting and spending quality time with him while they are still healthy enough to do so.

The Batman actor has previously opened up about the heartache of his son's misdiagnosis, revealing the emotional journey to finding out his child had a rare condition. Colin shared with PEOPLE Magazine: "We want him to find somewhere where he can have a full and happy life, where he feels connected."

Last summer, Colin spoke about the impact of James' initial wrong diagnosis, explaining that the syndrome is often confused with cerebral palsy due to similar symptoms. He recounted the difficult early days, saying: "[James] couldn't sit up. He wasn't crawling. I think he was a year and a half when we took him to get really checked out, and he was diagnosed as having cerebral palsy."

The Banshees of Inisherin actor continued to describe the misdiagnosis as a "common" mistake, sharing: "It was a common misdiagnosis, because it shared a lot of the same characteristics. And that was a downer for sure."

It was only when James reached two and a half years old that a paediatric neurologist suggested testing for Angelman syndrome, which led to the correct diagnosis. Colin then revealed the two crucial questions he posed to doctors: "I remember the first two questions I asked were, 'What's the life expectancy and how much pain is involved?'," and the reassuring response he received: "And the doctor said, 'Life expectancy, as far as we can tell, is the same for you and for me, and pain, no'."

Last year, Colin Farrell set up the Colin Farrell Foundation to help adult children with intellectual disabilities. At the launch, he highlighted a stark reality, saying that once his son James turned 21, he would be "kind of on his own" as protections for younger disabled individuals fall away. He shared that the idea for the foundation had been brewing for years, but it felt like the right moment to bring it to life.

Colin opened up about his decision to speak publicly about James' condition, revealing that it was during the Special Olympics in Shanghai in 2007 when he decided, after talking it over with James' mother, that he wanted to openly express the pride and happiness he felt towards their son.

"He has enriched my life, but I don't want to minimise the trials that so many families go through; the fear, consternation, frustration, and pain... When you're the parent of a child with special needs, it's important to feel that you're not alone."

In an interview with InStyle in 2012, he shared: "We share in the smallest victories; the first words at age six or seven, being able to feed oneself at 19, and getting the seizures under control. When James took his first steps at age four, I nearly broke in half!".

Colin had previously filed for conservatorship of James, along with his ex Kim back in 2021, enabling them to manage his personal needs and medical decisions.

They asked the court to grant them the authority to make decisions about his education, control his social and sexual relationships. This includes whether or not he can marry – access confidential records, and grant or refuse permission for medical procedures.

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