Jason Bateman Quit Partying After Wife Called It 'Annoyingly Unpredictable'

The actor says he decided to 'alleviate a lot of the tension' in his home by getting sober.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Jason Bateman credits his wife, Amanda Anka, with helping him get sober after his on-and-off partying had become 'annoyingly unpredictable.' Bateman says Anka told him the 'drip, drip, drip' of his partying was causing tension, so he decided to quit alcohol and drugs to 'alleviate a lot of the tension' in their home.

Why it matters

Bateman's story highlights the challenges of balancing a successful acting career with substance abuse issues, and how spousal support can be crucial in getting sober. As a former child star, Bateman's experience also reflects the pressures that come with early fame and the importance of recognizing when partying has gone too far.

The details

Bateman, now 57, says he hit a point where he realized his partying was 'as far as I should go' if he wanted to accomplish his goals. He credits Anka, who was the family's breadwinner at the time, with pushing him to get sober, as she found his unpredictable partying 'annoyingly' disruptive. Bateman decided to 'just f---ing do it' to 'alleviate a lot of the tension' in their home.

  • Bateman has been sober from alcohol and cocaine for decades.

The players

Jason Bateman

A successful actor known for roles in TV shows like 'Little House on the Prairie,' 'Silver Spoons,' and 'The Hogan Family,' as well as films like 'Arrested Development' and 'Ozark.'

Amanda Anka

Bateman's wife, who was the family's breadwinner at the time and pushed Bateman to get sober due to his 'annoyingly unpredictable' partying.

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What they’re saying

“Amanda and I definitely had a few negotiations about the point at which the [partying] spigot was going to completely turn off. She'd be like, 'This drip, drip, drip is annoyingly unpredictable, Jason.'”

— Jason Bateman, Actor (The Hollywood Reporter)

“I've got friends who had bottoms that were pretty chilling, but I was lucky enough to recognize, 'This is probably as far as I should go if I still want to accomplish the things that I want to get to.'”

— Jason Bateman, Actor (The Hollywood Reporter)

The takeaway

Bateman's journey to sobriety underscores the importance of spousal support and self-awareness in overcoming substance abuse issues, especially for those in the entertainment industry who face intense pressures and temptations. His story serves as a reminder that even successful actors can struggle with addiction, and that getting sober requires commitment and the right support system.