Comedian Rob Delaney Reveals 2-Year-Old Son Passed Away In Heartbreaking Post

Delaney’s son suffered from brain cancer for half of his too-short life

Comedian and actor Rob Delaney shared an emotional Facebook post announcing the passing of his two-year-old-son, Henry. Delaney wrote that Henry died in January after battling brain cancer since 2016.

“I have very sad news,” Delaney writes. “My 2½-year-old son Henry has passed away.”

The Catastrophe actor shared that Henry was initially diagnosed with a brain tumor shortly after his first birthday. Surgery and treatments to remove the tumor continued through last year, when the cancer eventually returned in the fall.

“My wife and Henry’s older brothers and I are devastated of course,” Delaney writes. “Henry was a joy. He was smart, funny, and mischievous and we had so many wonderful adventures together, particularly after he’d moved home following fifteen months living in hospitals. His tumor and surgery left him with significant physical disabilities, but he quickly learned sign language and developed his own method of getting from A to B shuffling on his beautiful little bum. His drive to live and to love and to connect was profound.”

He praises his wife and two other sons for their love. “They are why I will endeavor to not go mad with grief,” he says. “I don’t want to miss out on their beautiful lives. I’m greedy for more experiences with them.”

London-based Delaney also praised Britain’s National Health Service for their efforts in the post.

“The NHS nurses and doctors and the home carers and charity workers who helped our family survive Henry’s illness will be my heroes until the day I die,” he says. “I am desperately sad right now, but I can say with authority that there is good in this world.” In his post, he offers ways for people to help other families with sick children in the UK.

Delaney has always been candid about his own struggles with depression and addiction in his comedy, and on Twitter — though he’s incredibly private about his family life.

“Finally, I ask that you respect my family’s privacy regarding this matter. I have nothing else to say that I haven’t said here. Thank you, beautiful Henry, for spending as much time with us as you did. We miss you so much.”