Basic Information
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Padraig Farrell |
| Date of Birth | September 12, 2003 |
| Age | 21 (turns 22 on September 12, 2025) |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Parents | Colin Farrell (father), Kim Bordenave (mother) |
| Sibling | Henry Tadeusz Farrell (younger brother, born October 7, 2009) |
| Known For | Private life; living with Angelman syndrome |
| Health | Angelman syndrome (diagnosed in early childhood) |
| Communication | Non-verbal; uses alternative support and assistance |
| Mobility | Began walking around age 4; continues with supportive therapies |
| Legal/Support | Parents filed for conservatorship in 2021 to manage his affairs |
| Public Presence | No personal social media; occasional mentions through his father’s interviews |
A Life Shaped by Love, Care, and Steadfast Support
Born into the bright orbit of Hollywood yet shielded from its glare, James Padraig Farrell has grown up in a family that treats care as a daily verb. His early years unfolded in Los Angeles, where small signs—missed milestones, delayed speech—gently signaled a path different from most. By the time he was a toddler, his parents understood that Angelman syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disorder affecting roughly 1 in 12,000–20,000 people, would be part of his lifelong journey.
Angelman syndrome can affect movement, coordination, sleep, and speech. For James, it means he is non-verbal and benefits from assistance in daily tasks; yet those who know him emphasize his joyful spirit and openness to the world. His father has often described him as happy and well-adjusted, a young man whose presence re-centers a room like a compass pointing true north.
Family Constellation
James’s immediate circle is tight-knit.
- Father: Colin Farrell, an acclaimed Irish actor whose career spans more than two decades, is forthright about how fatherhood reshaped his life. He has spoken frequently and tenderly about James—how milestones like first steps were hard-won and deeply cherished.
- Mother: Kim Bordenave, an American model, co-parents with quiet dedication and a preference for privacy. Her focus has remained steady: ensuring stability and care for her son.
- Brother: Henry Tadeusz Farrell, born in 2009, is the younger brother who shares the easy rhythms of family life with James—celebrations, small rituals, and the thread of everyday companionship.
Their extended family on Colin’s side—grandparents, aunts, and uncles—adds another layer of support. That web of relatives and caregivers forms a barrier against the world’s rougher edges and a bridge to moments of inclusion: time outdoors, music, familiar routines, and the comfort of being known.
Milestones That Matter
In a life shaped by Angelman syndrome, achievements look different but matter just as much. James began walking around age four, a milestone that arrived like sunrise after a long night. Communication is built in other ways—gestures, expressions, shared understanding—reminding those around him that connection isn’t confined to words.
Daily living skills, therapies, and consistent routines anchor his progress. The family celebrates small victories: a smooth outing, a good night’s sleep, a new preference discovered through trial and error. These moments add up; they form the story of a young man moving forward at his own cadence.
Adulthood and Planning for the Future
Turning 18 is a legal threshold; turning 21 can be a service threshold. In the United States, school-based supports and certain services often change or end in the late teens or early twenties, prompting families to plan carefully. In 2021, James’s parents filed for conservatorship—a common step for families supporting adults with significant disabilities—to help manage medical, legal, and financial decisions. As he edges further into adulthood, the family has focused on long-term stability, exploring arrangements that ensure consistent care, opportunities for outings and engagement, and a framework that will endure for decades.
The guiding principles are simple and profound: dignity, safety, and a life that feels fulfilling to James. The logistics—therapy schedules, caregiving, future planning—are complex, but the intent remains clear: compassionate structure.
Public Presence, Private Life
James does not maintain social media accounts, and he does not appear in interviews. Mentions of him are typically filtered through his father’s public appearances, where the tone is sober and affectionate rather than sensational. The themes are remarkably consistent: kindness, inclusion, and gratitude for the professionals and relatives who help. In a media climate that often runs hot, the family’s approach is cool water—steady, human, and focused on what matters.
Timeline of Key Moments
| Year/Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 12, 2003 | Born in Los Angeles to Colin Farrell and Kim Bordenave |
| 2004–2006 | Early developmental delays prompt evaluations |
| Mid-2000s | Diagnosed with Angelman syndrome in early childhood |
| Around 2007 | Family publicly acknowledges James’s diagnosis to raise awareness |
| 2009 | Younger brother Henry is born |
| 2010s | Therapies, schooling, and private family life; James achieves personal milestones like walking and improving daily routines |
| 2021 | Parents file for conservatorship to support decision-making into adulthood |
| 2022–2024 | Continued advocacy from his father; emphasis on inclusion, services, and family life |
| 2025 | Ongoing transition planning as adult services and long-term supports become focal points |
Family Snapshot
| Relative | Relationship to James | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Colin Farrell | Father | Actor; vocal advocate for disability inclusion and supportive services |
| Kim Bordenave | Mother | Co-parents privately; focused on stability and care |
| Henry Tadeusz Farrell | Brother | Born 2009; close sibling bond |
| Eamon Farrell | Paternal Grandfather | Part of extended family network |
| Rita Farrell | Paternal Grandmother | Supportive presence in the family |
| Claudine Farrell | Paternal Aunt | Involved in family life |
| Eamonn Farrell Jr. & Catherine Farrell | Paternal Uncle and Aunt | Part of the broader Dublin-rooted family circle |
Daily Life: Routines, Joys, and Support
The rhythms of James’s days reflect both his needs and his interests. Support professionals, family members, and structured routines reduce uncertainty and help him thrive. Music can be a balm; time outdoors a reset button. Sleep, often challenging for individuals with Angelman syndrome, is carefully managed with routines and medical guidance. Through it all, his family’s message is consistent: he is more than a diagnosis. He is a son, a brother, a young man with preferences and a personality that shines through the scaffolding of care.
Career, Money, and Measures of Success
James does not have a public career, and there is no evidence of independent financial ventures. His achievements are personal and profound: step by step, skill by skill. The family’s role is to secure resources, therapies, and environments that enable him to stay engaged and safe. By traditional yardsticks, his story is not about paychecks or portfolios. By the yardsticks that matter most to those who love him, it is about patience, progress, and presence.
The Broader Conversation: Inclusion and Understanding
James’s life opens a window onto a broader conversation about disability supports in the United States: the patchwork of services, the sharp cliff that can appear after high school ends, and the need for plans that carry into midlife and beyond. His family’s public comments consistently emphasize inclusion—schools, communities, and programs that are welcoming—and kindness as a practical, everyday act. In that sense, his story is both singular and universal: one young man’s path, and a mirror reflecting what a society chooses to make possible.
FAQ
Who is James Padraig Farrell?
He is the eldest son of actor Colin Farrell and model Kim Bordenave, born in 2003 in Los Angeles.
What condition does he live with?
He lives with Angelman syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disorder that affects development, speech, and mobility.
Is James Padraig Farrell verbal?
He is non-verbal and relies on assistance and alternative means of communication.
Does he have a public career or social media presence?
No; he maintains a private life and does not run public social media accounts.
How do his parents support him?
They co-parent amicably, filed for conservatorship in 2021, and coordinate therapies and daily supports.
What is his relationship with his brother Henry?
They share a close, affectionate sibling bond within a supportive family environment.
What are some key milestones in his life?
Major milestones include learning to walk around age four and transitioning into adult services in his early twenties.
Where does he live?
He lives in the United States and keeps a low public profile, with family prioritizing privacy and stability.
