Rebellious actor Colin Farrell made a heartwarming confession this week, revealing that his 4-year-old son suffers from a rare neurological disorder.

Irish actor Colin Farrell talked publicly about his son medical condition for the first time this week, thus contradicting his former wild man image, built up throughout the years.

He told The Independent that James, 4, was diagnosed with the rare condition Angelman Syndrome before he reached his first birthday. He also praised his former girlfriend, American model Kim Bordenave, the boy’s mother, for taking such good care of their son.

“With my son the only time I'm reminded that there is something different about him – that he has some deviation of what is perceived to be normal – is when I see him with other four-year-olds. Then I go “oh yeah” and it comes back to me. But from day one I felt that he's the way he's meant to be,” Farrell told the paper.

He said that James took his first steps only recently and that it was an intensely emotional time for all. “He took his first steps about six weeks ago and it was four years in the making. All the work is his, he worked his arse off for four years. And when he took the first steps it was incredibly emotional, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.”

James was born in September 2003 and seems to be bringing out a side of his father, notorious for his wild ways, that the public has not seen before, a soft, compassionate and tender one.

Farrell shared how he empathizes with his child’s frustration at not being quite able to speak yet and express his feelings.

“His speech is affected, he's four and he's not really talking yet but he makes the most delectable sounds in the world. You couldn't get a sound as good from a garden of f------ birds.”

He added, “He's not speaking which is very frustrating for him. A lot of my frustration comes from wondering how frustrated he is and at times he does get frustrated.”

The 31-year-old actor is famous for his roles in films such as “Minority Report,” “Phone Booth,” “The Recruit,” “Alexander” and “S.W.A.T.”

His recent work includes roles in “Ask the Dust,” alongside Salma Hayek and “Miami Vice,” opposite Jamie Foxx.

Cassandra’s Dream,” directed by Woody Allen, premiered officially at the Venice Film Festival in September. It is scheduled for release in late November 30 and co-stars Ewan McGregor.