Jason Bateman was born on January 14, 1969 in Rye, New York to Kent Bateman, a film and television director and producer, and Victoria Bateman, a former flight attendant originally from England.135 His older sister Justine is also an actress, best known for her role on the sitcom Family Ties.2

Bateman came from an entertainment industry family, with his father Kent founding a repertory stage company in Hollywood.35 He was immersed in the business from a young age, appearing in his first commercial for Golden Grahams cereal at just 11 years old.12 In 1981 at age 12, Bateman made his television debut on the popular series Little House on the Prairie, appearing in 18 episodes as James Cooper Ingalls.35

Bateman did not complete high school, instead pursuing acting full-time after being managed by his father until age 20.14 His first major break came in 1982 when he was cast as the mischievous Derek Taylor on the hit sitcom Silver Spoons at just 13 years old, immediately making him a teen idol.124 Bateman's early success and connection to the entertainment world from birth set him on a path to become one of his generation's most accomplished actors and filmmakers.35

Bateman gained widespread popularity as a teen idol in the 1980s with his roles on the sitcoms Silver Spoons from 1982 to 1984, where he played the mischievous Derek Taylor, and The Hogan Family from 1986 to 1991 as David Hogan.23 At just 18 years old, he became the youngest person ever admitted into the Directors Guild of America after directing three episodes of The Hogan Family.2

Bateman made his film debut in 1987's Teen Wolf Too, the poorly received sequel to the Michael J. Fox comedy hit.4 He followed that with the sports comedy Necessary Roughness in 1991.23 While his earliest movie roles failed to find an audience, Bateman had already established himself as a talented comedic actor and director through his popular television work as a teenager.1

Jason Bateman's career reached new heights with his starring role as Marty Byrde in the critically acclaimed Netflix crime drama series "Ozark" (2017-2022)1. The show, which Bateman also executive produced, follows a financial advisor who relocates his family to the Lake of the Ozarks for a money laundering scheme1. Bateman's performance as the morally conflicted protagonist earned him widespread praise and multiple award nominations2.

Beyond his on-screen role, Bateman directed several episodes of "Ozark," showcasing his talents behind the camera3. His directorial work on the series was particularly noteworthy, earning him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series in 20192. This multifaceted involvement in "Ozark" not only solidified Bateman's reputation as a versatile actor but also established him as a skilled director in the television industry4.

In 2020, Bateman co-created the hit comedy interview podcast SmartLess alongside fellow actors Will Arnett and Sean Hayes.13 The podcast, where one host brings on a surprise celebrity guest each episode, quickly gained a devoted following for its entertaining banter and insightful conversations.24 SmartLess's success led to it winning "Best Comedy Podcast" at the 2022 iHeartRadio Podcast Awards and signing a multi-year deal reportedly worth $100 million with SiriusXM in 2024.35 The show's popularity has allowed Bateman to showcase his comedic talents and connect with fans in a new medium.