Gary Sinise Opens Up About His Son’s Death and the Gift of Grandfatherhood

Actor, musician, and supporter of the military, Gary Sinise lost his son Mac in January of 2024, at the age of 33. He had been diagnosed with chordoma, a rare form of cancer, back in 2018. Just before that diagnosis, Gary’s wife of 44 years, Moira Harris, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. In May of 2025, the 70-year-old sat down with PEOPLE to talk about Mac and how his role as Grandpa has been a blessing in his life.

In 2020, Mac had to have two major surgeries and was in the hospital for six out of the first eight months of the year. “And that’s when I stopped acting,” Gary Sinise shares. “I told my team, my agents, and managers, and everything, I just can’t. I can’t leave home to go do jobs.”

Fighting His Son’s Cancer

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He put everything he had into finding a miracle for his son. And although it must have been difficult for him to make that decision, it appears to have been the right one. Caregiving can be quite the challenge, even for a loved one.

“And there were a few times where I felt like, like I couldn’t do enough, or I didn’t know what to do,” he shares. “And then you just, just go through that moment. And say a little prayer, get back up, and go back into the fight.”

Mac Inspired the Entire Family

Eventually, they had to get a hospital bed for Mac at home. He was paralyzed from the chest down. And through it all, “his spirit was incredible,” Gary shares. The entire family was inspired by how Mac dealt with everything.

Mac died on January 5, 2024, changing Gary and his family’s lives forever. “We were blessed in so many ways,” the Forrest Gump star shares. “We always knew that, and Mac always knew that, too. We all felt blessed even though we were dealing with a horrible thing.”

Gary Sinise Hasn’t Been Back to Work As an Actor Since 2019

Gary hasn’t been back to work as an actor since 2019, and although he says it is possible he could return to acting in the future, it’s understandably harder to leave home these days. He just wants to be around his family.

While he still goes out and does concerts for the troops and participates in events and the mission of the Gary Sinise Foundation, he forgoes the long overseas trips he has gone on in the past. “Continuing that mission throughout this cancer fight, it’s been important,” he says.

RELATED: Gary Sinise Bio Inspires Students As He Shares Story Of How Divine Intervention Changed His Life

Gary is a Grandfather to Five

Gary is a grandfather now, and his wife isn’t able to travel, which is a big reason to stay home. Gary and Moira have five grandchildren from their daughters Sophie, 36, and Ella, 32. “He spoils them rotten,” Sophie says.

“I’m papa, I love everything about it,” he shares with a laugh, pure joy on his face. It’s clear he is loving the role. “It’s the best thing, it’s just the most wonderful thing.”

Making Memories With the Grandchildren

After having been gone so much when his own kids were little, he doesn’t want to miss the little moments with the grandkids. He shares that after everything with Mac, being able to love on them and his daughters has helped him a lot.

Thankfully, Moira’s cancer has gone into remission, and she is now cancer-free.

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“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” - Psalms 42:11

WATCH: Gary Sinise Shares About the Loss of His Son and Being a Grandpa

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h/t: PEOPLE

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/PEOPLE

Julie Provost is a GodUpdates staff writer and editor. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, three boys, and little dog Max. She loves to read, go to the movies, and enjoy time with family and friends.