Gary Sinise’s son, McCanna “Mac” Sinise, has died from a rare form of cancer at 33 years old. The Gary Sinise Foundation shared the news of his death on Instagram with the caption, “In Honor & Memory of McCanna ‘Mac’ Sinise 1990-2024.” In a statement, the foundation said that on August 8, 2018, Mac was diagnosed with a very rare cancer called chordoma. The foundation said chordoma is a cancer that originates in the spine and only affects an average of 300 people in the U.S. per year.
In a lengthy tribute to Mac that Sinise shared on his website, the 68-year-old actor shared that Mac died on January 5, 2024, at 3:25 p.m. and was laid to rest on January 2. Sinise wrote, “Like any family experiencing such a loss, we are heartbroken and have been managing as best we can. As parents, it is so difficult losing a child.” He continued, “My heart goes out to all who have suffered a similar loss and to anyone who has lost a loved one. We’ve all experienced it in some way. Over the years, I have met so many families of our fallen heroes. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s just damn hard.”
Sinise added, “Our family’s cancer fight lasted for 5 ½ years, and it became more and more challenging as time went on. While our hearts ache at missing him, we are comforted in knowing that Mac is no longer struggling and inspired and moved by how he managed it. He fought an uphill battle against a cancer that has no cure, but he never quit trying. Mac loved movies, and we always told him he reminded us of the soldier at the end of the extraordinary film ‘1917,’ running through the battlefield, bombs going off all around him, knocking him down one after the other, yet he keeps getting back up, refusing to quit and keeps running forward. I am so blessed, fortunate, and proud to be his dad.”
In his post, Sinise explained that the summer of 2018 was a “particularly challenging time” for his family. The “Forrest Gump” star said his wife, Moira, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in June of that year. She underwent surgery to remove lymph nodes and began chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Two months later, Mac was diagnosed with chordoma. Sinise said he was bewildered at the time since he had never heard of the very rare cancer. Moira went into remission after receiving treatment for months and has since remained cancer-free. In September 2018, Mac underwent surgery to remove the initial tumor, but his cancer returned by May 2019 and was spreading.
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Sinise wrote, “This began a long battle that disabled him more and more as time went on.” Mac went on to have four additional spinal surgeries and continued to receive chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Sinise wrote that eventually, the cancer caused Mac to become paralyzed from the chest down, though he “still had limited use of his right arm, and fingers on his left hand.” A graduate of USC Thorton School of Music, Mac had a passion for drumming, composition and songwriting. However, his disability rendered him unable to continue playing the drums or piano. After working on the two songs, Sinise wrote that Mac envisioned completing a full album titled “Resurrection & Revival,” with a “theme of bringing something that was old or unfinished back to life.”
Sadly, Mac lost his battle with cancer the week the album went to press. Sinise said Mac had leaned on his faith during his long and grueling battle with cancer, saying, “Mac was a man who loved his Catholic faith, and there is no doubt that his strong faith sustained him through the awful 5 ½ year battle with this crippling Chordoma cancer.” Sinise shared his son’s favorite quote from St. Augustine: “You have made us for yourself, oh Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
Sinise continued, “He gave his family and friends so much during his 33 years, and he accomplished great things in those final months. With a glorious teaming of two old pals from college, his vision for this beautiful music was realized. Mac’s inspiring parting gift to us.” He concluded, “Thank you, Mac. You did it. Resurrection & Revival will live on. And so will you. In our hearts forever.” Mac is survived by his father, mother and two sisters.