‘CSI: NY’ actor Gary Sinise speaks out on leaving Hollywood
By Lauren Sarner
He’s stepping back.
“CSI: NY” star Gary Sinise stepped away from Hollywood after his son Mac’s tragic death.
“Something may come along and it’ll be right, but it’s harder to leave home now,” he told People in an interview published Wednesday.
“I just want to be around family. Since losing Mac, I hold my daughters a lot tighter. You think about the things that are really important.”
Gary Sinise and his son, Mac.
The Gary Sinise Foundation
Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo) left, Det. Josephine Danville (Sela Ward), Det. Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) and Lindsay Monroe Messer (Anna Belknap) on “CSI: NY.”
CBS
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The “Forrest Gump” actor’s son, McCanna — also known as Mac — died in Jan. 2024 at age 33 after a 5½-year battle with a form of cancer called chordoma.
Sinise and his wife, Moira Harris – the couple has been married since 1981 — also share daughters Sophie and Ella, and have five grandchildren.
Sinise, who has won an Emmy, a Golden Globe and a Tony, is also known for “Forrest Gump,” “Apollo 13” and “The Green Mile.”
Gary Sinise in “Apollo 13.”
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
To make matters more difficult, Sinise’s wife had a battle with Stage 3 breast cancer, as well – which she survived, but Sinise told the outlet that his wife and son’s health battles were “a one-two punch” that he’s been navigating since 2018.
In 2020, when Mac was hospitalized for six months, Sinise stepped away.
“That’s when I stopped acting,” Sinise explained.
“I started putting everything I had into trying to find a miracle for Mac.”
Gary Sinise and Ben Affleck in “Reindeer Games.”
©Dimension Films/Courtesy Everett Collection
Gary Sinise with his son, Mac.
The Gary Sinise Foundation
Gary Sinise in “Forrest Gump.”
©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection
The “Apollo 13” actor said he leaned into his Catholic faith during his son’s cancer battle.
“Hope keeps you in the fight. You could see tumors on his body. You knew the drugs weren’t working. But I wasn’t thinking we were going to lose him.”
Sinise added, “He didn’t want to go. But I know Mac was at peace at the end. He dealt with it with grace and courage.”
Since Mac’s death, Sinise has shied away from the spotlight and spent time with his family in his Tennessee home.
“Mac left us things that are beautiful,” Sinise said, referring to how his son was a musician and composer. “I want people to know who he was.”
Gary Sinise with his son, Mac.
The Gary Sinise Foundation
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Gary Sinise with his son, Mac.
The Gary Sinise Foundation
Gary Sinise attends the 32nd Annual Movieguide Awards Gala on Feb. 7, 2025.
ZUMAPRESS.com
Sinise has been working to release his late son’s music, and hopes to see a live orchestra perform it, he said.
“I want people to hear his music. I want people to share it. I’m on a mission. I thought the other day, ‘What happens when all these projects are done?’ Well, I’m going to drag them on as long as I can.”
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