Jason Bateman on Marrying His 'Friend' Amanda Anka

Jason Bateman and Amanda Anka: A Love Story That Defied the Odds

Jason Bateman, known for his roles in popular TV shows like Ozark and Arrested Development, has built a successful career in Hollywood. However, behind the scenes, he has also cultivated a stable and loving family life with his wife, Amanda Anka. Their journey together began in their teenage years, and over time, they developed a deep bond that has only grown stronger.

A Friendship That Turned Into Love

Bateman and Anka first met in 1988 when they were teenagers at a Los Angeles Kings game. They started as friends, and it wasn’t until a decade later that they began dating. In a 2013 profile in GQ, Anka shared that she wasn’t initially interested in Bateman, but their friendship eventually led to something more. “I just wasn’t into where he was at,” she recalled.

Their relationship took time to develop, but it paid off. Bateman has often spoken about how their marriage has defied the odds. In a 2013 interview with Redbook, he said, “I wanted to marry a friend. Friends last longer.” This sentiment resonated with him even more when he spoke with The Daily Telegraph Australia in 2014, where he noted, “I wanted to marry somebody who wasn’t someone I had to be in any particular mood to want to be around.”

Amanda Anka’s Career and Family Life

Amanda Anka is not only a devoted mother but also an actress and producer. She gained recognition for her role in the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie and appeared in several TV series, including Beverly Hills, 90210 and ER. More recently, she co-produced the Apple TV+ series The Morning Show alongside her close friend Jennifer Aniston.

Anka comes from a celebrity background, as her father, Paul Anka, is a well-known singer-songwriter, and her mother, Anne de Zogheb, was a model. Despite her own fame, Anka chose to step back from acting to focus on raising her two daughters, Francesca and Maple.

A Happy Family Life

Bateman and Anka married in 2001 in Malibu. The couple welcomed their first daughter, Francesca Nora, in 2006, followed by their second child, Maple Sylvie, in 2012. Bateman has always been vocal about his gratitude for his family, often expressing his love for his wife and daughters in interviews and speeches. During a SAG Award acceptance speech in 2019, he said, “Amanda, Franny and Maple—without you, none of it would be enjoyable and it probably wouldn’t be possible.”

A Supportive Partnership

Bateman frequently praises his wife’s parenting skills, acknowledging that she does much of the heavy lifting when it comes to raising their children. He told Redbook in 2013, “My wife makes those things easy. She spoils me; she makes the husband part simple.” He also highlighted her ability to balance her career with being a full-time mom, calling her “a full-time dad too.”

A Strong and Normal Relationship

Despite the challenges of balancing work and family life, Bateman and Anka have maintained a strong and healthy relationship. They have learned to navigate disagreements without letting them strain their bond. In a 2013 GQ interview, Anka admitted, “We disagree all the time! I think he secretly likes it.” Bateman echoed this sentiment, saying, “We are really aware of our boundaries. We know how to bug each other and not bug each other.”

Keeping the Romance Alive

Bateman and Anka continue to prioritize spending quality time together. As he told Redbook, they try to maintain a “Friday-night mode” by seeing a movie and going out to dinner. Their commitment to each other is evident in their public appearances, where they often show up with their daughters.

In August 2025, the couple joined Jennifer Aniston and her boyfriend, Jim Curtis, on a “three-hour-long double date” in New York. Later that year, they made another public appearance at the Toronto International Film Festival, where they attended the premiere of Bateman’s film Black Rabbit.

A Lasting Love

In December 2025, Bateman reflected on his marriage to Anka during an Esquire interview. He said, “I married a friend as opposed to a girlfriend; that was a big one for me. You break up with girlfriends, [but] I found I didn’t break up with my friends.” His words highlight the depth of their connection and the strength of their partnership.