McCanna Anthony Sinise, also known as Mac, the son of actor and philanthropist Gary Sinise, passed away on January 5, 2024, after a long and courageous battle with a rare form of cancer called chordoma. He was 33 years old.
A Devastating Diagnosis
Mac Sinise was diagnosed with chordoma, a type of cancer that originates in the spine and affects only about 300 people in the U.S. each year, on August 8, 2018. His diagnosis came just two months after his mother, Moira Harris, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. While his mother underwent treatment and has been in remission since then, Mac’s condition worsened over time and required multiple surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Gary Sinise, who is best known for his roles in Forrest Gump, CSI: NY, and Apollo 13, shared the news of his son’s death in a statement posted on his Instagram page and the website of his foundation, which supports military members, veterans, first responders, and their families. He wrote that his son died the same week that his musical album, Resurrection & Revival, went to press.
A Passion for Music and Service
Mac Sinise was an exceptional drummer who played with his father’s band, Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band, at several shows. He was also a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he studied songwriting and composition. He joined the Gary Sinise Foundation as an assistant manager of education and outreach in 2018, shortly before his diagnosis.
Despite his physical limitations, Mac Sinise continued to pursue his passion for music and created an album with the help of his collaborators. He also learned how to play the harmonica during his hospital stays and used it as a source of inspiration and joy. His album, Resurrection & Revival, features 10 songs that reflect his personal journey and faith.
A Legacy of Love and Courage
Gary Sinise expressed his heartbreak and admiration for his son in his statement. He 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. 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.”
He 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.”
He also thanked his son for his musical gift and said, “Thank you, Mac. You did it. Resurrection & Revival will live on.”
Mac Sinise is survived by his parents, Gary and Moira, his sisters, Sophie and Ella, and his extended family and friends. He was laid to rest on January 23, 2024.
