In a deeply emotional announcement, Gary Sinise—famous for his role as Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump and his lifelong dedication to veterans—shared the heartbreaking news that his son, McCanna Anthony “Mac” Sinise, passed away at the age of 33. The news, shared through the Gary Sinise Foundation and social media, has resonated with millions, shedding light on Mac’s five-and-a-half-year battle with an exceptionally rare and incurable disease. However, it wasn’t the tragedy of his diagnosis that defined his journey, but his extraordinary resilience and boundless creative spirit, which he maintained until the end.
The Sinise family’s ordeal began in the summer of 2018, which brought a devastating double blow. On August 8 of that year, Mac was diagnosed with Chordoma, an extremely rare form of bone cancer affecting only about one in a million people annually. Just three months before, Mac’s mother, Moira, had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. While Moira successfully entered remission, Mac’s illness followed a far more relentless and aggressive path. Chordoma, originating often in the spine or base of the skull, slowly assaulted Mac’s nervous system, defying treatment efforts.
Gary Sinise’s tribute to his son was filled with raw emotion and the grief of a father who had always devoted his life to helping others. In his message, he expressed the pain of losing a child, acknowledging that no amount of experience could prepare him for such profound heartbreak. “Like any family enduring this kind of loss, we are heartbroken and doing our best to manage,” Sinise wrote. He expressed his sympathy for all who have suffered similar losses, offering a connection through the shared pain of losing a loved one. Despite the overwhelming nature of the “uphill battle” Mac faced, Gary emphasized that his son never lost his drive to live with purpose.
Despite enduring major physical challenges—including five major spinal surgeries and eventual paralysis from the waist down—Mac remained anchored by his passions: service and music. As an assistant manager of education and outreach for the Gary Sinise Foundation, he used his struggles to empathize deeply with veterans and first responders. His work helped him stay connected to his sense of purpose, even as his body failed him.
Music, however, became Mac’s ultimate form of expression during his final years. A gifted percussionist and composer who studied songwriting and composition at the University of Southern California, Mac was also a drummer in the Lt. Dan Band, performing alongside his father to entertain military personnel. Even after cancer robbed him of his ability to play the drums, he shifted his focus to composing and arranging music, determined to leave behind a creative legacy.
In the months leading to his death, Mac completed an album titled Resurrection & Revival. This project, which encapsulated his spiritual and creative revival despite his failing body, will soon be released on vinyl as a tribute to his artistry. The album’s title is a reflection of the profound transformation Mac experienced, proving that while the body is finite, the power of art and spirit can endure.
The outpouring of support from around the world has been immense, with messages of love and solidarity flooding the Sinise family’s social media pages. Celebrities and fans alike have rallied around them, offering comfort during this unimaginably difficult time. Actress Angie Harmon expressed the collective sentiment, acknowledging how deeply the Sinise family is loved, while Alyssa Milano offered her prayers for strength. These gestures underscore the far-reaching impact of Gary Sinise’s philanthropy, with the world now returning its support to him.
Mac was laid to rest on January 5, following a period of private mourning for the family. Gary Sinise spoke of the solace in knowing that his son no longer suffered. He honored Mac as a “soldier in his own right,” a young man who fought a relentless war against a biological enemy with the same courage and dignity that he admired in the veterans he had spent his life helping. Mac’s story is not one of cancer but of a man who chose to spend his time creating beauty and contributing to something far greater than himself.
The Gary Sinise Foundation continues its mission, now with the memory of Mac’s dedication as a driving force. The release of Resurrection & Revival will serve as a reminder of Mac’s spirit, illustrating the incredible power of creation even in the face of terminal illness. Mac’s journey teaches us that the true measure of a life is not the length of time, but the depth of the love shared and the lasting impact left behind. As the Sinise family navigates their grief, they do so knowing that Mac’s battle is over, his music lives on, and his legacy will continue to inspire for years to come.