All in the family.
Jason Bateman gave a rare update on the status of his relationship with his sister, Justine Bateman, 59.
“[We] don’t see each other a ton” these days, he told Esquire in a profile published Monday.
The “Arrested Development” actor 56, has been married to Amanda Anka since 2001, and the couple share daughters Maple, 13, and Francesca, 19.
He explained that his relationship with his sister, “isn’t the typical ‘We see each other every Thanksgiving or every Christmas and our kids want to be together.’”
Justine is also an actress, best known for “Desperate Housewives” and “Californiacation.” She also has two kids, with husband Mark Fluent.
Both siblings started as child actors, with Justine beginning her career on “Family Ties” and Jason appearing in “Little House on the Prairie” as a child.
In a 2017 interview with People, Justine said being famous at an early age was difficult.
“We were at the level of fame where you just can’t go anywhere,” she noted. “You just try to keep your head above water …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.”
Jason doesn’t talk about his family much, in contrast to how he talks about longtime pal Jenifer Aniston, 56.
In August, he told Vanity Fair that the “Friends” actress is, “the first one to call or text about big dates in the girls’ lives. She has questions about boyfriends.”
When asked if Aniston is like an aunt to his kids, he said, “Aunts you might not see all the time. She’s almost closer to a co-mom with Amanda. She’s been a part of their lives from the moment they were born.”
Jason told Esquire that he and Justine, who is often vocal about politics and has slammed Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, do still keep in touch.
“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 “Black Rabbit” actor added, “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.”
During a 2015 interview on the “WTF With Marc Maron” podcast, Jason said that he doesn’t believe family relationships are automatically set in stone.
“Well, let’s earn the relationship that adults should or could have,” he said. “You’re not handcuffed because of the blood. You’ve gotta earn it.”
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