In the Beginning…

Beginning his career early in life, Jason Bateman was quickly considered a “teen idol” for his work in early ’80s TV shows like Little House on the Prairie, Silver Spoons, It’s Your Move, and Valerie (later titled Valerie’s Family). While these popular shows certainly helped Bateman jump-start his acting career, it was his recognition as the Directors Guild of America’s youngest-ever director for three episodes he directed of The Hogan Family.

Jason’s father is American movie producer and director, Kent Bateman, who produced Jason’s 1987 starring role in Teen Wolf Too. Despite flopping in the box office, the film gained Jason international attention. Bateman starred as several small roles on various TV series, including TV movie This Can’t Be Love, featuring legendary actors Katherine Hepburn and Anthony Quinn.

The Bateman-Vaughn Duo

In the mid to late ’90s, Bateman had a lead role in several TV shows, none of which lasted more than one season. It wasn’t until 2003 when Bateman was cast in his most well known role as Michael Bluth in Arrested Development. The show survived three seasons and despite mediocre ratings, was truly one of the best shows of the 2000′s (the whole series is on Netflix so you can watch all of it!). Bateman in fact won several awards for the series, including a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy.

Arrested Development can be considered a tipping point in Bateman’s career. He soon booked several featured roles in hit Vince Vaughn films like Dodgeball and Starsky & Hutch in 2004. In 2006 he starred with Vaughn again in The Break-Up, also featuring Jennifer Aniston, now one of Bateman’s good pals.

2007 and On: ‘Juno’, ‘Smokin’ Aces’, ‘Hancock’ & More

2007 was a particularly big milestone for Bateman as he starred in four feature films: Smokin’ Aces, The Kingdom, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, and Juno. It was his work in Juno that gained him notice from a younger crowd as he portrayed a (future) really awesome dad. Sporting thick dark brown locks and an ocean blue gaze, it’s no wonder he made his mark on everyone’s hearts as Jennifer Garner’s charming yet immature husband.

In 2008, Bateman again had a full plate of featured roles in films like The Promotion, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Hancock. In 2009, Bateman stayed busy and gained more lead roles like in Extract and reuniting with Vaughn again in Couples Retreat. Extract was written and directed by Mike Judge, creator of animated television series Beevis and Butthead & King of the Hill as well as several other TV shows and films. In the film, Bateman plays an awkward business owner and husband Joel Reynolds. Extract is supposed to be a companion piece to Judge’s classic Office Space in 1999 and is definitely worth a rent if it flew under your radar duringits release.

Bateman has continued to push his career towards comedic relief efforts as he seems to have a natural ability for comedic timing. This is perhaps best displayed in some of his 2011 comedies like Paul, Horrible Bosses, and The Change-Up. All of the films are super silly and Bateman doesn’t fail to deliver big laughs in all of them.

At 43 years old, Jason Bateman is an accomplished actor, father, husband, and huge LA Dodgers fan. His adorable face along with his charming awkwardness and often relatable characters make this Hollywood celeb our Actor of the Week. Bateman is currently filming and in post-production on several films that will hit theaters later this year and in 2013 (Arrested Development, This is Where I Leave You, Identity Thief, The Longest Week, & Disconnect). Check back with Reel Movie Nation for all news concerning Jason Bateman’s upcoming projects!

 Jason Bateman’s  Filmography/Up-Coming Films:

• Arrested Development ???
• This is Where I Leave You ???
• Identity Thief (2012)
• The Longest Week (2012)
• Disconnect (2012)
• The Change-Up (2011)
• Horrible Bosses (2011)
• Paul (2011)
• The Switch (2010)
• Couples Retreat (2009)
• The Invention of Lying (2009)
• Up in the Air (2009)
• Extract (2009)
• State of Play (2009)
• Hancock (2009)
• Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
• The Promotion (2008)
• Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007)
• Juno (2007)
• The Kingdom (2007)
• The Ex (2006)
• Smockin’ Aces (2006)
• Arthur and the Invisibles (2006)
• Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
• Starsky & Hutch (2004)
• Sol Goode (2003)
• The Sweetest Thing (2002)
• Love Stinks (1999)
• Hart to Hart: Secrets of the Hart (1995)
• This Can’t Be Love (1994)
• Confessions: Two Faces of Evil (1994)
• Black Sheep (1994)
• Breaking the Rules (1992)
• A Taste for Killing (1992)
• Necessary Roughness (1991)
• Crossing the Mob (1988)
• Moving Target (1988)
• Teen Wolf Too (1987)
• Bates Motel (1987)
• Can You Feel Me Dancing (1986)
• Right to Kill (1985)
• The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins (1984)
• Just A Little More Love (1983)

Interview with Jason: