How do Jason and Justine Bateman stay connected? 'Zootopia 2' star shares rare insight into their family life

"Zootropolis 2" UK Premiere - Arrivals - Source: Getty
"Zootropolis 2" UK Premiere - Arrivals - Source: Getty

Jason and Justine Bateman are celebrity siblings who rarely talk about each other. The Arrested Development actor revealed in an interview with Esquire, published on Monday, that he seldom sees his sister, adding that they only see each other once a year, usually during Thanksgiving or Christmas.

“My sister and I don’t see each other a ton. 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.”

He said that their conversations were the total opposite: rich and the type you’d have with an adult friend, not the petulant back and forth common among siblings.

“We hang out, and we’re nice to each other because we respect one another as individuals, regardless of the blood thing.”

The Zootopia actor added that he respected Justine as an individual, regardless of the age thing, and he was looking forward to seeing her for lunch in the coming weeks.


More details about Jason and Justine Bateman’s relationship explored

Justine Bateman, had her breakout role in Family Ties at age 16. Justin became a household name at age 11 when he featured in the Little House movie. The siblings went on to carve different names for themselves in the movie industry.

2019 Los Angeles Times Festival Of Books, Source: Getty
2019 Los Angeles Times Festival Of Books, Source: Getty

The older Bateman sibling rebutted rumors in September 2025 of any conflict with her brother over differing political ideologies, stating that she would mute or block any person suggesting such. The Family Ties alum wrote:

“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 continued:

“I'm not interested in your fantasy about some imagined conflict between the two of us over your political ideologies. Really, it's sick.”

Justine Bateman added:

“So, keep it up. It makes it easy for me if identify yourselves, so l can make an X setting adjustment to never have to hear from you, ever again.”

Jason stated during a 2015 appearance on the WTF Marc Mark that he enjoyed a healthy relationship with his sister, in which they didn’t see each other ‘every day’ or ‘every holiday.’

"Let's earn the relationship that adults should and could have," he said. "You're not handcuffed because of the blood."

Also read: "You’ve been such a paternal figure": Millie Bobby Brown gifts Jimmy Fallon Eleven’s bracelet from Stranger Things season 2

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Edited by Onuh Eunice