Jason Bateman offered a rare update on where he stands with sister Justine Bateman.
The actor, 56, told Esquire in a profile published on Monday, December 8, that he and Justine, 59, “don’t see each other a ton” these days.
“There isn’t the typical ‘We see each other every Thanksgiving or every Christmas and our kids want to be together,’” Jason, who shares two kids with wife Amanda Anka, revealed. “There isn’t that. … In a great way.
Jason clarified that the siblings aren’t in a bad place. “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,” he said.
He concluded: “We hang out, and we’re nice to each other because we respect one another as individuals regardless of the blood thing. I’m seeing her for lunch next week.”
Jason and Justine have both been in the spotlight since they were kids. Justine got her start on Family Ties and later transitioned into filmmaking while Jason appeared on Little House on the Prairie as a child before continuing his acting career as an adult.
“We were at the level of fame where you just can’t go anywhere,” Justine told People in 2017. “You just try to keep your head above water … [and] stay alive.”
Justine referred to fame as emotionally draining at the time. “[For one], I found it frustrating having no control over what people thought of you,” she added. “I’m not saying I’m ungrateful for fame at all. I’m just saying it’s a crazy emotional experience.”
Over the years, Jason has largely not addressed his relationship with his family. He referred to his bond with Justin as “healthy” while on the “WTF With Marc Maron” podcast in 2015.
“Well, let’s earn the relationship that adults should or could have,” he explained at the time. “You’re not handcuffed because of the blood. You’ve gotta earn it.”
Jason confirmed that they got along but mentioned their kids weren’t super close. (Justine shares two children with husband Mark Fluent.) When Maron asked how far away Justine lived, Jason shared, “She’s about a mile from my house. … I could be a better uncle, brother, son, Marc.”
Before Jason’s recent update on his sibling bond with Justine, the actress took to social media with a loaded message.
“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 via X in September.
Justine appeared to shut down speculation of a falling out between her and Jason.
“I’m not interested in your fantasy about some imagined conflict between the two of us over your political ideologies. Really, it’s sick,” she fired back. “So, keep it up. It makes it easy for me if identify yourselves, so I can make an X setting adjustment to never have to hear from you, ever again.”