Pierce Brosnan's 51-year-old adopted son has left the public heartbroken after they saw recent pictures of his rare outing. Christopher Brosnan has tragically battled with addiction, and as a result, his father, who has spoken about his son's struggles in the past, had to make some tough decisions.
The estranged son of silver screen star Pierce Brosnan made a rare public appearance on June 21. Paparazzi snapped pictures of Christopher Brosnan, who has dealt with addiction issues, leaving a Waitrose grocery store in London on Friday, and his appearance has shattered online users who saw the photos.
Marking a rare outing almost 20 years after Pierce reportedly cut him off because of his addiction challenges, Christopher opted for a casual look to run his errands. He wore dark blue pants, a long-sleeved red hoodie, and an olive-colored puffer vest.
The filmmaker, who worked as an assistant director in three of his dad's movies, "Robinson Crusoe," "Tomorrow Never Dies," and "The World Is Not Enough," paired his ensemble with gray Converse sneakers. His mid-length brown hair was partially covered with a flat cap, which he wore backward.
As Christopher walked along his London route—Waitrose grocery bag and phone in hand—eagle-eyed observers couldn't help but notice the solemn expression on his face. Photos also show the 51-year-old strolling with his shoulders slightly hunched over.
Many people took to online platforms to express their sorrow concerning what they saw, with some inadvertently expressing disappointment in Pierce as Christopher's adoptive dad. "How do you write off a child struggling with addiction? 😢," asked a concerned Instagrammer.
Another asserted, "I would NEVER write one of my children off. NEVER😮." Someone else wrote, "That's a shame," and another chimed in, "Very sad." Among the flurry of comments, some felt bad for Christopher but understood the difficulty Pierce faced when he made the tough decision to "cut [him] off."
"As parents, I get it!! God bless this family! 🙏🙏🙏🙏," penned a Facebooker, while another echoed, "It is so hard for a parent to do this but sometimes it is the only thing that will keep you sane when dealing with addiction." An admirer wished Christopher well, writing, "Prayers for a full recovery."
Aside from speaking about Christopher's battle with addiction and Pierce's actions, some people focused on their familial connection. "His SON?!" exclaimed an Instagrammer who was particularly taken aback. Someone on Facebook ruminated, "He resembles Pierce, but you say he's not related?"
Pierce adopted Christopher and his late sister, Charlotte Brosnan, when their biological father, Dermot Harris, passed away in 1986. Christopher and Charlotte's mom, Cassandra Harris, was married to Pierce from 1980 until 1991 when she died after battling ovarian cancer.
Naturally, having lost a dear loved one, especially someone as close to his heart as his mom, Christopher took Cassandra's passing very hard. In 1992, just four months after her death, Pierce reflected on the great loss felt by the entire family, where he emphasized Christopher's heartbreak.
"I can see the pain in Christopher's eyes, the absence in his heart for his mother," the "Mamma Mia!" star divulged. At the time, Christopher was enrolled at UCLA for a screenwriting course.
Once Christopher began to abuse drugs, experience overdoses, and get into trouble with law enforcement, Pierce found himself caught between a rock and a hard place. Ultimately, he decided to distance himself from Christopher.
Speaking about Christopher's problems and their strained relationship with Playboy magazine in 2005, Pierce confessed, "Christopher is still very lost. Shockingly so. I know where he is, but he's having a hard life. I can only have strong faith and believe he will recover."
Pierce continued, "He has tested everybody in this family but none more so than himself. He knows how to get out. He doesn't want to." Pierce also divulged how painful the whole ordeal was and even admitted that it caused him to "shut down."
Giving context to his decision to show Christopher some tough love, Pierce stated, "You never completely cut them off, but I have cut Christopher off. I had to say, 'Go. Get busy living, or get busy dying.' He has my prayers."
In addition to praying for him, Christopher also remains close to Pierce's heart. A previous Father's Day post from 2022 saw Pierce mentioning his beloved son in his heartfelt caption. Although the post only included Pierce and his other three sons, Paris, Dylan, and Sean Brosnan, Christopher was spotlighted with them in the message.
"My love forever to you dear sons, Paris, Dylan, Sean and Christopher, thank you deeply for your love ❤️ on this Father's Day," captioned Pierce Brosnan alongside the endearing image.
Sean is Pierce's son, whom he had with Cassandra before she died. After tying the knot in 2001 with his current wife, Keely Shaye Brosnan, the couple welcomed Dylan and Paris, the latter of whom recently collaborated with Pierce for a father-son fashion campaign.
Fans could not stop swooning over photos of Pierce and his lookalike 23-year-old, who posed for fashion brand Paul & Shark's new collection in May of this year (2024). Their photos were shared on Instagram.
The post, which showcases the duo in a poised and elegant demeanor, sparked a wave of compliments from Pierce's followers who also shared their hopes of seeing the younger Brosnan on the silver screen soon.
Fan reactions ranged from admiration to anticipation. One user exclaimed, "Wow, great photo. You are beautiful and elegant. As always❤️🔥," while another added, "Both are gorgeous 🔥🔥🔥🔥." However, one fan favored Paris over his father, saying, "The son is more [beautiful]."
Adding to the community buzz were comments citing the prospect of Paris filling his father's shoes as the next 007. One such comment highlighted, "I'll wait to see him as a next James Bond! 🔥" This sentiment was echoed by another, who confidently stated, "Paris Brosnan would make a good James Bond once he is in late 20's."
The comparison to his father does not only concern Paris' looks but his artistic flair as well. Paris, who has already established a name for himself in the modeling world, also nurtures his passion for film and art.
In between his modeling engagements and academics, he has expressed his desire to attend a prestigious film program, with hopes to delve deeper into directing and cinematography—a testament to his creative aspirations.
The promotional video made by Paul & Shark further cements Paris' multifaceted talent. In their caption accompanying the video, the brand refers to him as an "artist and designer," while Pierce is hailed as an "extraordinary actor."
This dynamic pairing showcased their familial bond and hinted at Paris' versatility and potential as a creative force. With his keen interest in making unique art that resonates with his style and several exciting projects on the horizon, Paris is blazing his own trail.
Some big plans the young man has in store include international travel and a mini-documentary he's directing in Sri Lanka. As 2024 continues to unfold, Paris stands on the cusp of new beginnings.
