n June 2003, award-winning actor Colin Farrell led a team of athletes into the stadium at Croke Park for the opening ceremony of the 2003 Special Olympics, which he continues to support.

“We were at our best,” Farrell, 48, tells the Irish Independent. “…they were the stars of the story. There’s nowhere in the world that I’ve experienced anything like it.”

At the time, the Oscar nominated star hadn’t known that he’d soon be the father of a child with special needs.

‘Chill baby’

On September 12, 2003, the star of The Gentlemen became a first-time father to James, who he shares with his ex, model Kim Bordenave.

“He’ll always know who his dad is. Fatherhood for me is the ultimate success,” Farrell told the Irish Examiner in 2004.

By the time James was about 18 months old, his parents noticed that he “just wasn’t hitting benchmarks.”

“I thought he was just a chill baby,” the In Bruges actor tells People in an August 2024 interview. “He wasn’t sitting up or crawling. We knew something was up developmentally.”

Angelman syndrome

In 2007, Farrell revealed his son, earlier misdiagnosed as having cerebral palsy, was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Angelman syndrome is a rare condition that causes “delayed development, problems with speech and balance, mental disability, and, sometimes, seizures.”  Symptoms include intellectual disability, little or no speech and difficulty walking, the clinic notes. There is no cure.

First steps

Only “two weeks short of his fourth birthday,” Farrell shares the “profound” and magical moment when James had a major breakthrough.

Wiping away his tears as he recalls the emotional time James took his first steps, Farrell shares in the clip with People: “I’ll never forget the face of determination as he just walked towards me. I burst into tears. It was amazing. To be told that he may never walk and see those first steps, I’ll just never forget it. It was so overwhelmingly beautiful.”

The actor went onto say that his nonverbal son, big brother to Henry (born in 2009 to ex Alicja Bachleda-Curús), has a “good life” and is a “happy young man.”

He adds, “I’m proud of him every day. I just think he’s magic.”

‘Looks like Tom Selleck’

In September, James turns 21.

“Once your child turns 21, they’re kind of on their own. All the safeguards that are put in place, special ed classes, that all goes away, so you’re left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society and more often than not is left behind,” the Miami Vice star tells People, adding that he wants the “world to be kind to James,” and treat him with respect.

Describing James as a “cheeky, “bold” and “bright” young man who’s ready to “spread his wings,” The Batman actor tells the Irish Independent. “He’s strong now, he’s six foot. He was always like a beanpole, but he’s filled out a bit, got a lovely big Ronnie (moustache) on him. He looks like Tom Selleck! He’s brilliant – he’s just a gorgeous young man, you know.”

Expressing his confidence in his son, Farrell continues, “And he’s in a really good place, and I’m delighted that he’s ready to get out in the world now and begin to be able to spread his wings and be a part of programmes.”

Supporting special needs

Helping his son as he transitions into greater independence, The Lobster actor recently launched the Colin Farrell Foundation, that aims to transform “the lives of individuals and families living with intellectual disability through education, awareness, advocacy, and innovative programs.”

Speaking of the foundation’s launch, Farrell tells People it’s “the first time” he’s discussed his new initiative.