This Boy Is the Son of a Hollywood Star Who Put His Acting Career on Hold for Him

Behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood lies the touching story of a devoted father who took a step back from his acting career to care for his son. Born with Down syndrome, the boy became his father’s world and the inspiration behind the actor’s most iconic role.

In the late 1990s, a rising Hollywood star and his then-wife, Lauren Lambert, eagerly awaited the arrival of their first child. During the pregnancy, all tests and sonograms indicated that the couple was expecting a healthy baby girl.

Lauren Lambert and the Hollywood star circa 1977. | Source: Getty Images

But on August 31, 1997, they were blessed with a baby boy instead. While they were overjoyed by his arrival, the doctor delivered unexpected news just 20 minutes later — their son had Down syndrome.

“I didn’t even know what Down syndrome was, not a clue,” the actor admitted. Shock and confusion quickly set in, and he began to question if he had done something to cause it.

“There wasn’t any family history; it made no sense,” he explained. The Hollywood star later learned that Down syndrome is the most common genetic disorder, occurring once in every 800 births, with no definitive explanation for why it happens.

In the days that followed, he and Lauren wrestled with feelings of guilt and fear. But as reality sank in, the actor made a life-changing decision — he would dedicate himself to learning everything he could about his son’s condition.

“I got my head out of the sand and realized I needed to step up,” he said. To prioritize his son’s needs, he took a year off from acting. During this time, the couple attended seminars, read countless books, and explored various therapies to help their son thrive.

Their efforts paid off, and he avoided some of the health complications often associated with Down syndrome, such as heart and digestive issues. However, at the age of three, the boy began experiencing seizures.

The famous actor with his son after a reading for children with Down syndrome at Barnes & Noble on February 27, 2007, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

“These weren’t grand mal seizures but something that would build and trigger a momentary shutdown,” his father shared. The seizures were coupled with sleep apnea, which caused the boy to stop breathing up to 60 times a night.

To monitor him, the family relied on a device that emitted an ear-piercing alarm if he stopped breathing for more than 15 seconds. “It would make you want to cling to the ceiling like a cat,” the actor recalled.

Some nights required injections to manage the seizures, and for six months, the family focused on simply getting through one day at a time. Once the seizures subsided, his son’s progress was remarkable.

By the time he was ten, the boy was thriving in an inclusive program at a mainstream school, excelling in math and reading. Outside of school, he loved swimming and bouncing on the trampoline, and later developed a passion for music.

“He’s just this great big glorious kid,” the proud father said. As life began to stabilize, the actor returned to Hollywood, resuming his career and continuing to make a name for himself.

Over the years, he starred in numerous films and TV shows, including “Scrubs,” “Platoon,” and “42.” Despite his professional success, he remained deeply committed to his son. In fact, he credited his son as the inspiration behind one of his most iconic roles, Dr. Perry Cox, on “Scrubs.”

“I think the camera’s an X-ray machine, and you can’t see me without seeing Max because I brought him to set every day right in my stomach. Cox’s edges are rounded by Maxy,” the star shared.

Parenting became even more complex when the actor remarried and welcomed two daughters, Billie Grace and Kate, into his blended family. Raising children with such different needs required constant adjustments.

He explained, “I found that the parenting trap there is to lean into one side or the other. Billie Grace and Kate are — the politically correct term is typical kids — and Max has challenged. To lean too hard into accommodating Max’s challenges and compromising Billie Grace and Kate is tricky…”

The “Scrubs” star with his son, Max, as well as his wife and daughters at the 2016 Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s Be Beautiful Be Yourself fashion show on November 12, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. | Source: Getty Images

“…and then to lean too hard into the Billie Grace and Kate capacity to learn and leave Max behind is a trap. So there is a sweet spot in the middle there that you can only find when you are in it,” he continued.

The actor photographed with his children, Kate, Max, and Billie Grace, and his wife Nicole at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel on November 11, 2017, in Colorado. I Source: Getty Images

The actor worked hard to maintain that balance, leaning on his second wife Nicole, ex-wife Lauren, and organizations like the Global Down Syndrome Foundation for support. He also found himself navigating heartbreaking realities as his son grew older.

“When a special needs child, when that variable is introduced into a typical family, and so parenting is going to have to be a little different when that… when that piece is introduced,” the Hollywood star stated.

The Hollywood star with his son Max McGinley and their family at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s 14th Annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself fashion show on November 12, 2022, in Denver, Colorado. | Source: Getty Images

He noted that one of the most challenging aspects of raising a child with Down syndrome was helping him form age-appropriate friendships. “[…] You certainly can’t force a teenager to be your son’s friend, nor would you want to but that one is a really hard, man,” he said.

Instead, the family became Max’s strongest advocates and support system. Today, his son, who celebrated his 27th birthday last year, continues to defy expectations. Living in Santa Monica, he worked at Starbucks as of 2022 and supported his love for video games and lemonade through his job.

He is also a talented musician, playing guitar — a passion shared on his Instagram managed by his mother — singing in a band, and even recording songs and music videos. He stays active with yoga, swimming, and surfing as well.

Despite being a non-speaker, the young man communicates through a letter board and has plenty to say on a variety of topics, from The Beatles and Beyoncé to John F. Kennedy’s assassination.

His father described him as a dynamic individual with a thirst for knowledge and a passion for life. The actor, now 63, remains dedicated to his son’s well-being. He serves on the board of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and is involved with the Special Olympics.

He is also focused on ensuring his son’s long-term health, particularly because people with Down syndrome are at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

“If he’s fortunate enough to live long enough and, you know, we’re buffering him with all sorts of interventions and things that will give him the best chance to live as long a healthy life as possible, he will get Alzheimer’s,” the actor explained.

Though his career remains impressive, the “Scrubs” star has made it clear that his role as a father is his most important one. “I’m not [working] now. It’s a little seductive,” he shared in 2022, explaining that it would take a lot for him to accept a new role.

Instead, he enjoyed the simple joys of fatherhood, like driving his daughters to school and gymnastics while supporting his son’s music career. The father in this story is none other than John C. McGinley, the beloved actor known for his unforgettable roles and performances.

Max and John C. McGinley at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s 14th Annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself fashion show on November 12, 2022, in Denver, Colorado. | Source: Getty Images

His son, Max, has been the driving force behind his journey as a parent and a performer. “Max is healthy and fantastic,” John shared. “He loves being with his sisters. He’s in great shape right now.”

John’s decision to prioritize family over his career speaks volumes about the depth of his love for his son. Max’s story is a testament to resilience and the unbreakable bond between a father and his son.