Colin Farrell discusses his special needs son on Letterman

wenn5698515
Colin Farrell was a guest on Letterman Friday night. I’ve been dying to report on these sexy photos of him outside the studio with his shirt half open. He looked delectable as usual, and was promoting the Fright Night remake he stars in, which is out in the US next Friday, August 19. On the show, Farrell mentioned his two boys, Henry, nearly 2, and James, 7. (Both are from previous relationships with different women, but it’s not like Farrell talked about that at all.) James has a rare genetic condition called Angelman syndrome, which is characterized by motor, intellectual and speech delays and a positive affect. Farrell has discussed his son’s condition in the past, and said that he is blessed to have him in his life. In 2007, he said “I have never thought of my son as being someone with a disability. It goes back to special needs and what is a disability and what isn’t.” On Letterman, he addressed the need for more funding to research the condition and said that a doctor has cured the condition in mice. Here’s more:

Colin Farrell appeared on Late Show With David Letterman last night to promote his upcoming movie, Fright Night, but also took a little time to give a shout out to CureAngelman.org and revealed that one of his sons has been diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome.

Colin has two sons James, 7, and Henry, almost 2, and briefly discussed his family with David Letterman.

“James, just a quick shout out if I can, James has a condition called Angelman Syndrome and it only affects one in 30,000 children, they say,” Colin said on Late Show. “So there’s not that much funding because it doesn’t benefit pharmaceutical companies, of course.”

The actor asked for anyone to help by visiting CureAngelman.org to help donate and then discussed a bit more about his son and how he was diagnosed.

“It was actually when a doctor saw how happy he was,” Colin explained. “He was like, ‘Does he always smile this much?’”

James started walking just short of his 4th birthday and doesn’t have any verbal speech, but Colin made sure to say that his boy is a “a really happy boy.”

[From OK Magazine]

For as much as Colin flits around to different women, he sure seems like a caring and devoted father. He’s also giving some invaluable attention to this cause.

Look at how shy Colin looks outside the studio with his hands crammed in his pockets. He’s doesn’t look too comfortable with the crowd. He also seemed a little nervous on the show.

wenn5698518

wenn5698516

wenn3456803

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

30 Responses to “Colin Farrell discusses his special needs son on Letterman”

Comments are Closed

We close comments on older posts to fight comment spam.

  1. Caz says:

    Love him! Now I love him even more for articulating his feelings so eloquently! I’m sure he’s a great Dad 🙂

  2. the original bellaluna says:

    So sweet! (And good-looking too!)

  3. brin says:

    He’s cute…he probably doesn’t like doing interviews. He sounds like a good dad.

  4. Chris says:

    I don’t know about the cardigan. It looks okay but it’s a cardigan.

  5. lisa says:

    I went on google to read about this condition.
    Angelman Syndrome (AS) is a neuro-genetic disorder that occurs in 1 in 15,000 live births. AS is often misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy or autism. Characteristics of AS include; developmental delay, lack of speech, seizures, and walking and balance disorders. Individuals with Angelman Syndrome will require life-long care.

    the constant smiling is also a part of it.

    I think he is trying to start talking about it to bring some attention to it. It is sad that so many “orphan diseases” don’t get attention because they not profitable. The bottom line is always the money..never the people.

  6. LOVE ANGELINA says:

    Awwww Colin is so sweet and he is a good person, I can tell he is very good dad. That would be absolutely amazing if they found a cure for Angelman syndrome. I loves him. So excited to see Colin in Fright Night this Friday.

  7. Joan says:

    Colin, aside from his turbulent personal relationships, seems like a genuinely nice person. I love the fact that he is speaking about James in such a positive light. As the parent of a handicapped child myself, he makes me feel “not so alone”. Rock on, Colin.

  8. gee says:

    The disability his son has is also called “Happy Puppet,” (although I don’t know how p/c that is)because the children who have it are constantly smiling and often make involuntary movements.

    It’s so sad to see a child with a disability, but it is so sweet to hear how he sees the child first and the disability second. That is the attitude we should all take.

    And I so so so so much agree that because some diseases and disorders are not money makers (like breast cancer and autism), they are neglected.

  9. Esmom says:

    @Joan, I’m with you on all counts. I also am happy to hear him say that his son is happy. I have a son with an autism spectrum disorder and his happiness is our gauge as to how he’s doing — and our ultimate wish for him.

  10. the original bellaluna says:

    Pharmaceutical companies should be ashamed of themselves for putting their bottom line (READ: $$$$$$$) before researching and curing diseases.

    Better to “treat” than to cure? I think not!!!

    Joan & Esmom – Bless you both. Happiness for our children is the ultimate wish of all (decent) parents.

  11. CooCooCatchoo says:

    Colin… you are amazing. Sexy and an inspiration to all of us with LD children. Love!
    My friend’s daughter is an Angelman’s kid – friend is very involved with the main Angelman’s charity, and met Colin at a big fundraiser in Chicago. Colin took the time to meet with the parents and children there, and was absolutely lovely. I love that he’s lending his celebrity to the cause – go, Colin!

  12. hairball says:

    I remember reading about him talking about how son awhile ago. It is very sweet and admirable how he handles it.

  13. Roma says:

    He really is the hotness. Has he been on HGF recently? He just looks so… delicious.

  14. MollyB says:

    To be fair, pharmaceutical companies are not charities. Not many businesses can spend millions and millions of dollars on man-hours and productions costs to create something that will get them little in return. That is why donations for research are so important.

  15. dread pirate cuervo says:

    Thanks, Celebitchy, now I have to go home & change my panties.

  16. Kelly says:

    You know, I’ve always thought he seemed like such a scuzzbucket, but after reading this, I feel a tiny crack forming in my hard, hard little heart, LOL. He looks great as well – cleaner and healthier, as opposed to his usual “look” – “been lying in the ash and sticky beer residue of the pub floor.”

  17. Mimi says:

    This is awesome. My nephew is autistic so I see first hand how hard it can sometimes be on the parents. Colin seems like a great dad. He is always smiling when he talks about his son and that’s awesome. However I can tell you from experience that he def has some rough days. What a great man to use his fame as a way to bring awareness to AS. Donations are CRITICAL. Not everyone with a special need child has the financial resources that Colin has.

  18. Phlipper says:

    Not only does he look great, but he must feel great, too. He’s drug-free, alcohol-free and gave up cigarettes (cold turkey!) a year ago. He’s also been working out constantly preparing for his role in Total Recall.

  19. Minx2 says:

    I wonder if he focuses only on his special needs son and forgets that he also has a healthy child who needs his father’s attention. It happens very often in families where one child is sick…

  20. Calli Pygian says:

    He is just so gorgeous.

  21. pebbles says:

    He is rockin’ the Mr. Rogers cardigan look……..so hot. He does seem like a genuine person. Love.

  22. Now thats a Celtic stud!!

  23. original kate says:

    he just got even hotter – good lord!

  24. Callumna says:

    He looks so good. I’m not usually like this but I may have seen a couple stills from his sex tape as well and omg he seems to know what he’s doing in the boudoir.

  25. Moops says:

    @gee: I bristle at the characterization of breast cancer and autism as “money-makers” and thus (undeservingly?)receive more attention. True, there is more awareness and fundraising for breast cancer and autism… but that is because of their prevalence, not their importance. Breast cancer affects 1 out of every 8 women, autism is now diagnosed in 1 out of every 91 kids (even higher stat for boys). These diseases/disorders are not raising more money because they are the media darlings – there are simply more people affected by them.

    Disability advocates welcome all at the awareness table.

  26. LittleDeadGirl says:

    Always had a soft spot for him and am considering seeing Fright Night because of him …

  27. anons says:

    kudos to colin for, once again, taking the time to promote awareness of angelman syndrome. i’m lucky to be friends with a great gal that also happens to have a child with this neuro-genetic disorder. check out her blog: http://www.wordsforchloe.com

  28. theaPie says:

    Erm. Button up your shirt Collin, and take out the earrings. Other than that, you are lovely and seem like a good dad.

  29. Undermepe says:

    mens north face vest
    the north face
    the north face outlet store