Colin Farrell has opened up about a deeply personal decision: planning long-term care for his 21-year-old son, James, who lives with Angelman syndrome—a rare genetic disorder that causes developmental delays and limited speech.

In a candid interview, the actor, 48, said he and James’s mom, Kim Bordenave, are looking into care options now, while they’re healthy and can still be actively involved. “We want to choose a place where he feels safe, supported, and happy,” Colin shared.

James was diagnosed at two and a half, after missing key milestones and showing unique traits like frequent laughter and hand-flapping. Though once misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy, doctors eventually confirmed Angelman syndrome. Colin recalls asking, “Will he be in pain?” and was relieved to hear James would live a full life without pain.

James has faced health challenges, including seizures, but has made incredible progress. Colin described the emotional moment when James first walked on his own, just before his fourth birthday. “He walked straight toward me. I burst into tears—it was magic.”

Now a young adult, James lives with full-time support, and Colin and Kim filed for conservatorship to help guide his future. Every milestone, from feeding himself to saying his first words at age six, is a celebration. “I’m proud of him every day,” Colin said.

To honor James and support others, Colin plans to launch the Colin Farrell Foundation, focused on helping people with developmental disabilities. Though James can’t speak publicly himself, Colin hopes their story helps others feel less alone.

“Being a parent to a child with special needs is full of unique joys and challenges,” he said. “There’s a whole community out there that gets it—and that means everything.”