Jason Bateman makes rare comment on his relationship with sister Justine
Jason Bateman admits that he and his older sister, Justine Bateman, “don’t see each other a ton.”
The actor made the rare family comments in a new cover story for Esquire, noting, however, that he sees that as a good thing.
“There isn’t the typical, ‘We see each other every Thanksgiving or every Christmas and our kids want to be together.’ There isn’t that. In a great way,” he explained.
“Our conversations are the rich conversations you would have with an adult friend, not the kind of petulant back-and-forth you might have with your adult sibling.”
The “Arrested Development” alum also shared that they spend time together because they want to — not just because they’re siblings.
“We hang out, and we’re nice to each other because we respect one another as individuals, regardless of the blood thing,” he explained. “I’m seeing her for lunch next week.”
Both Jason, 56 and Justine, 59, started young in Hollywood — him on “Little House on the Prairie” when he was 11, her on “Family Ties” when she was 16.
Jason made similar comments about Justine, who’s now a filmmaker and producer, during his appearance on the “WTF With Marc Maron” podcast back in 2015.
“Well, let’s earn the relationship that adults should or could have,” he said of where they stand. “You’re not handcuffed because of the blood. You’ve gotta earn it.”
“She’s about a mile from my house. … I could be a better uncle, brother, son,” he also admitted.
Jason is an uncle to Justine’s two children — Gianetta and Duke — whom she shares with her husband, financier Mark Fluent.
Meanwhile, Justine is an aunt to Jason’s two daughters — Francesca and Maple — whom the actor shares with his wife, Amanda Anka.
In September, Justine shut down fans who she said “imagined conflict” between her and Jason due to their “political ideologies.” Justine openly supported President Trump’s re-election in 2024, while Jason made headlines when he criticized Trump voters in June.
“Anyone bringing up my brother to me for any other reason than to say you like his new upcoming show, or any of his past work, will be muted at best, and blocked at worst,” she wrote on X.
“I’m not interested in your fantasy about some imagined conflict between the two of us over your political ideologies. Really, it’s sick.”