Gary Sinise finds late son Mac's unreleased music — pledges to honor his final wish

Losing a child is an unimaginable pain no parent should have to endure, yet life can be harshly unpredictable. Recently, "Forrest Gump" star Gary Sinise shared a touching post on Reddit about an album of music by his late son, McCanna Anthony "Mac" Sinise. In his post, u/GarySiniseOfficial, Sinise explained how he discovered many beautiful, unreleased compositions by his son and, with the help of Mac's friends, was able to bring the music to life. Sinise announced that the album is now available for purchase, with proceeds going to the Gary Sinise Foundation. In the comments, he noted that creating this special-edition double vinyl album was a way to fulfill Mac’s wish, with all funds directed to the foundation's mission—a cause "that he loved so much."

"Shortly after Mac's death on January 5, 2024, I began combing through his files, his Dropbox, his iPad, and his iPhone. I found letters he'd written to family, thoughts he wanted to get down on paper, hoping they would be discovered later. Videos he'd made and kept for us to see should anything happen. Beautiful things that he meant for us to have," as per the statement by the Gery Sinise Foundation. Sinise further talked about how he discovered the music Mac had written and tucked away. "Some of the compositions I had heard before, like the music he'd written during his time at Gary Sinise Foundation for the documentary 'Always Do A Little More,'" the statement read. The collection also included music he had written for the foundation, videos never used and some songs that he had written and recorded in college as well as after college.

The album, aptly titled Resurrection & Revival, spans several genres. "There are songs on this record dating back to his college days, recordings of his originals like 'Angel's Theme' and 'Vampire Attack,' where his songwriting and drumming skills come into play," per the statement. The album also included tracks like "Nature Boy" as well as "Quasi Love," written by Mac.

Mac, who was a talented drummer and a student at USC, passed away in January 2024 after battling a rare cancer called "Chordoma" that originated in his spine half a decade ago. "I know in my heart that Mac is happy to share it with all of you. You can preorder it now and we will begin shipping after our official launch on November 10, Mac's 34th birthday," Sinise statement read. "Thank you, Mac, for your heart, your love for all your family and friends, and for creating this beautiful music that we will treasure always," he wrote towards the end.

Many people were moved and took to the comments to appreciate the heartfelt gesture from the grieving dad. "This project not only honors his legacy but also offers a way for others to connect with his artistry. I’m sure many will appreciate the music and the cause behind it. Thank you for sharing this, and I wish you all the best in this endeavor. Your strength and dedication are truly inspiring," wrote u/kristywassail. "Immensely moved by the piece you have written. Thank you for sharing his life with us. Mac was incredibly talented, and what a beautiful way to continue to connect with him. He’s still right there with you," added u/lavenderewe.