McCanna Anthony “Mac” Sinise, a multi-instrumental musician and the son of actor Gary Sinise, died of a rare cancer known as Chordoma on Jan. 5. He was 33.
Gary Sinise confirmed his son’s passing in a tribute posted to his foundation’s website, in which he detailed his years-long battle with the disease as well as his unfaltering commitment to making music, which included recording his album “Resurrection and Revival” in the final months of his life.
Gary Sinise wrote, “The week the album went to press, Mac lost his battle with cancer. He died on January 5, 2024 at 3:25pm, and was laid to rest on January 23rd. 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.”
Mac Sinise started drumming at the age of 9 years old and would perform with his father’s Lt. Dan Band as a substitute drummer for Danny Gottlieb. He graduated from the USC Thornton School of Music, where he studied songwriting and composition. In addition to drumming, he played piano and also taught himself harmonica once his cancer left him unable to play the drums.
After he was diagnosed with Chardoma in 2018, he continued to perform and record music. He worked on an original composition called “Arctic Circles” that he had started in college and adapted to new methods of performing as his condition worsened. He collaborated with fellow musicians Dan Myers, Ben Lewis and Oliver Schnee on “Arctic Circles” and recorded it in addition to a version of “Shenandoah,” on which he played harmonica.
Gary Sinise explained how this creative journey evolved: “Both these pieces of music began a collaboration that expanded to a vision Mac had of doing an entire album of music entitled‘Resurrection & Revival,’ with a theme of bringing something that was old or unfinished back to life. Mac had three more originals and with more notes going back and forth between Oliver and Mac as they crafted the arrangements, they were now ready to go back into the studio.”
The Lt. Dan Band, including Gary Sinise, are featured on the album. Sinise shared that “Resurrection and Revival” will be completed and released soon; it is currently available for pre-order. Mac told his father before his passing that he wanted the proceeds of the album to be donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Mac Sinise worked for the Gary Sinise Foundation as assistant manager of education and outreach, and continued to be involved with the organization for veterans until January of 2020, when he stepped away because of his cancer.
Read Gary Sinise’s complete tribute to his son here.
