Colin Farrell Opens Up About Placing His Son in Long-Term Care

Actor Colin Farrell has shared the emotional reason behind his decision to place his 21-year-old son, James, who has Angelman syndrome, in a long-term care facility. The rare genetic disorder causes severe intellectual and physical disabilities, and James is nonverbal and requires daily assistance.

Colin and James’s mother, Kim Bordenave, made the choice out of love and responsibility, fearing what might happen if something were to happen to both of them. “If I have a heart attack tomorrow, and James’ mother has a car crash—what then?” Farrell explained.

James was misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy as a toddler before being correctly diagnosed with Angelman syndrome. Farrell recalls moments of both difficulty and joy, including James’s first steps and ability to feed himself. “He’s worked so hard all his life. I’m proud of him every day. He’s magic,” he said.

Farrell has dealt with seizures, hospital visits, and intense caregiving, but also countless milestones—from James’s first words at age six to controlling seizures for over a decade. His journey inspired Farrell to launch the Colin Farrell Foundation, to support people with intellectual disabilities.

Speaking publicly for the first time in years, Farrell said James has been his greatest inspiration—even helping him stay sober—and hopes that by sharing his story, other families won’t feel alone.