Gary Sinise Stopped Acting in 2020 Amid Son’s Cancer Battle, Says a Comeback ‘May Come Along but It’s Harder to Leave Home. I Just Want to Be Around Family’

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Gary Sinise shared with People magazine his reason for stepping away from acting five years ago, as he focused on supporting his son during his struggle with a rare bone cancer. Known for his Oscar-nominated role in “Forrest Gump” and leading roles in “CSI: NY,” Sinise hasn’t taken on any new acting projects since the release of three films in 2020 – “Joe Bell,” “I Still Believe,” and a supporting part in “13 Reasons Why” Season 4.

In 2018, the son of actor Gary Sinise, named Mac, was diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer known as chordoma. This disease affects only about 300 individuals in the United States annually. After this diagnosis, Sinise halted his acting career in 2020 and dedicated all his energy towards finding a cure for Mac. Unfortunately, he passed away last year at the age of 33 years old.

He mentioned that something suitable might appear, but it’s tougher to depart from home these days,” Sinise commented when asked about a return to acting. “I simply cherish being with my family. After Mac passed away, I value my daughters even more. It makes you ponder over the truly valuable things in life.

Sinise shared that he stopped acting to focus on caring for Mac, taking on the role of his son’s “air traffic controller.” He said, “I wanted Mac not to think about the next treatment or worry, so I took care of cancer-related thoughts. I tried to alleviate his pain. There were moments when I felt like I couldn’t do enough or didn’t know what to do. Then I would pray, gather myself, and get back into the battle.

The actor found solace and guidance for dealing with his son’s cancer and eventual death through the work he did with the Gary Sinise Foundation, which he established in 2011 to support veterans, first responders, and their families.

Sinise shared that he’s offered comfort to many children who have tragically lost a parent. He has also encountered individuals who have bravely overcome hardships, which has bolstered his resilience. It is clear that his experiences have equipped him to face our own loss effectively, as if God had been carefully preparing him for this challenge.

After retiring from acting in 2020, Sinise has mostly stayed out of the limelight. His last notable public appearance in media was at the National Memorial Day Concert in Washington D.C., held in 2021. Besides his roles in “Forrest Gump” and “CSI: NY,” he is also recognized for his performances in “Apollo 13” and “The Green Mile.

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2025-05-15 14:16