Jason Bateman's TV shows as a kid: From Little House to The Hogan Family
Jason Bateman's TV shows as a kid marked the beginning of his decades-long career in the film industry. He started acting at 12 and has since starred in over 100 films. However, in a 2025 interview with Conan O'Brien, Jason detailed the immense pressure he dealt with as a child actor.
I was always anxious about being able to continue making a living in a business that I knew was tenuous at best.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Jason Bateman's first acting role was in the 1981 film Little House on the Prairie.
- Earnings from his television shows as a child actor were a significant income stream for his family.
- Bateman became the Directors Guild of America's youngest-ever director when he helmed three episodes of The Hogan Family.
- As an actor, Jason was managed by his parents until he was 20.
Jason Bateman's profile summary
| Full name | Jason Kent Bateman |
| Date of birth | 14 January 1969 |
| Age | 56 years old (2025) |
| Birthplace | Rye, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Height | 5'11" (180 cm) |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Amanda Anka |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents | Victoria Elizabeth and Kent Bateman |
| Siblings | Justine Bateman |
| Profession | Actor, director |
| Years active | 1981-present |
| Social media |
Exploring Jason Bateman's first acting role from the '80s
According to Jason's IMDB profile, he got into acting after he followed a friend to an audition for a role in an educational film, and the director requested him to read for the lead.
Bateman joined the cast of Little House on the Prairie in 1981. In the series, he portrayed James Cooper, an orphaned boy whom the Ingalls family adopts.
Jason appeared in 21 episodes during his one-year run. He shared his experience on the film during a 2017 interview with Variety, saying:
The set of Little House on the Prairie felt warm and very familial.
Source: Original
He bagged a role on It's Your Move due to his popularity on Silver Spoons
From 1982 to 1984, Bateman was a supporting cast on the sitcom Silver Spoons. He played Derek Taylor's best friend, Ricky Schroder. In 1984, he appeared in the Knight Rider episode of the Knight Rider drama series.
From September 1984 to February 1985, Jason portrayed Matthew Burton on It's Your Move. He became a teen idol for his role as David on The Hogan Family (1986 to 1991).
Jason Bateman helmed his first film at 18: Insights into his directing career
Jason made his directing debut with three episodes of The Hogan Family. He credited his dad and Little House on the Prairie's director, Michael Landon, for sparking his desire to be a director in his appearance on SiriusXM's Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend podcast. He admitted:
Seeing Michael as a good director and friend was inspirational. My father's directing career also planted the seed. After Little House, I started eyeing a directing role on every film I was on.
Bateman has 13 directing credits, including Family Matters, Arrested Development, The Family Fang and Ozark.
Source: Getty Images
A look at the downsides of Jason's career as a child actor
Speaking with Conan O'Brien, Jason narrated how he helped with the household bills as a child actor because he made more money than his parents.
My dad was a freelance writer and producer, while my mom was a Pan Am flight attendant. However, the 15% they made as my managers was more than what they made from their jobs. We lived in a condo that we would not have afforded if we depended on their salaries alone.
Bateman also explained that his work permit would be renewed every six months if he maintained a C average in school.
I feared failing my midterms and finals because it was 60% of my grade. Failing meant losing my work permit and, ultimately, our house.
Like most child actors, Jason attended Brighton Hall School without graduating. He never received his diploma as he missed his finals while filming Teen Wolf Too.
Source: Getty Images
FAQs
In 2019, Jason was awarded the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for his direction on Ozark. Below are some frequently asked questions about him:
Who is Jason Bateman's sister?
Jason's only sibling, Justine Bateman, is an author, filmmaker, and former actress. Her acting work includes Californication, Family Ties, and Satisfaction. Justine wrote the books Face: One Square Foot of Skin and Fame: The Hijacking of Reality.
Who is Jason Bateman's wife?
Bateman has been married to actress Amanda Anka since 2001. They have two daughters, born in 2006 and 2012.
How long has Jason Bateman been sober?
Jason struggled with substance addiction throughout the 1990s. However, he has been sober for over two decades, as his last alcoholic drink was in 2001.
What Netflix shows is Jason Bateman in?
Bateman stars in two notable Netflix series: Ozark, for which he is also the executive producer and director, and the upcoming Black Rabbit, which will premiere on 18 September 2025.
Source: Getty Images
How rich is Jason Bateman?
According to Distractify, Bateman's estimated net worth is $50 million. He amassed this fortune from his illustrious acting career.
Wrapping up
Jason Bateman's TV shows as a kid included The Hogan Family and Little House on the Prairie. These roles cemented his place in the competitive entertainment scene. A household name in the industry, Bateman has produced 28 films and has 106 acting credits.
READ MORE: Meet Chase Dillon: the young actor who stole the show in 'Haunted Mansion'
Briefly.co.za shared an article about Chase Dillon, a rising star capturing hearts with his dynamic acting talent. The budding on-screen star debuted his career in the film industry when he was eight, playing Ollie in The First Wives Club.
He has since accumulated over nine acting credits under his name. Besides acting, Chase is also a philanthropist and has since co-founded a non-profit organisation, Kingdom International Economic Development Corporation (KIEDC), alongside his mother.
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
