Jason Bateman's 2 Children: His Thoughts on Being a Dad
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- UPDATED OCTOBER 24, 2024
by Tasha Mayberry
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Jason Bateman has played a variety of leading roles since his early days as a child actor on Little House on the Prairie, but his most important role is being a dad to his children. Bateman and his wife, Amanda Anka, share two daughters: Francesca Nora Bateman, 18, and Maple Sylvie Bateman, 12. “Being a father of two is everything I wanted,” the Arrested Development star told Redbook in 2013. “I’m a big fan of marriage and being a dad. And my wife, Amanda, makes it easy. She spoils me and makes the husband part simple.” Over the years, Bateman has opened up about his family life with Anka and their daughters, and he frequently acknowledges their constant support. When Bateman won the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Ozark in 2019, he made sure to thank his family during his acceptance speech.
Francesca Nora Bateman, 18
Bateman’s eldest daughter, Francesca Nora Bateman, was born in Los Angeles on October 28, 2006. At just 2 years old, Francesca made her debut alongside her dad in a holiday ad campaign for Gap. Their photos appeared on a billboard in Hollywood, and Bateman couldn’t have been prouder. “Anyone who has a kid, when friends ask for a picture, you immediately pull out your phone,” he told ELLE in 2009. “This was that times ten. Look up there. She’s mine. And I love her.”
The two share a very close bond, with Bateman often mentioning how curious Francesca is. In fact, her curiosity once led to Bateman accidentally spoiling the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, and Santa Claus in one go. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Bateman humorously recounted the parenting blunder that happened during a car ride to the airport.
Maple Sylvie Bateman, 12
Bateman’s youngest daughter, Maple Sylvie Bateman, was born on February 10, 2012. Amanda’s pregnancy was first announced by her father, Canadian singer Paul Anka, about six months before Maple’s birth. A few years later, Bateman hilariously admitted that he once cursed in front of Maple when she was just 2 years old. “I tend to use as many as I can think of,” he joked to GQ in 2014. “I don’t do it around my 7-year-old, but around my 2-year-old, she doesn’t know what I’m saying yet.”
It seems Maple has inherited her father’s comedic talent. In April 2020, during one of Bateman’s virtual appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Maple made a surprise cameo by waving to the camera from behind a glass window. “There goes Maple. Say hi to Jimmy,” Bateman said, adding with a laugh, “I keep her outside. That way, there’s more food for me inside the house.
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Jason Bateman, known for his roles in Ozark, Arrested Development, and Horrible Bosses, has been married to Amanda Anka for over 20 years. An actress and producer, Amanda has appeared in several TV shows and is also a co-producer on The Morning Show. “She’s f—— great. She’s the best,” Bateman told GQ in 2013. Amanda, in turn, has spoken highly of her husband, saying, “He’s the most sensitive, generous man without being fragile, which I find interesting.”
In 2019, when Bateman won the SAG Award for his performance in Ozark, he expressed his gratitude to his wife and their daughters, Franny and Maple, during his speech: “Without you, none of it would be enjoyable and it probably wouldn’t be possible. I love you more than I even tell you I do.” He echoed this sentiment in February 2023, when he won another SAG Award for his role in Ozark, once again thanking Amanda and their daughters.
