This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Beloved actor Eric Danehas passed away at the age of 53 after his battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Known for his work in Grey’s Anatomy, Dane starred in shows like Euphoriaand even played a character with ALS on the NBC series Brilliant Mindsopposite Zachary Quinto. The news was confirmed by Eric Dane’s family in the following official statement:
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world. Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”
Dane became a household name as “McSteamy” on Grey’s Anatomy. The character, also known as Dr. Mark Sloan, is still a favorite for fans of the show and a beloved part of the 22 seasons of the show. Later, he went on to play Nate Jacobs’ (Jacob Elordi) father in the HBO series Euphoria and has continued to be a fan favorite every time he appears in something. That was Dane’s charm as an actor, fans always loved to see him take on a new role.
Advertisement
Eric Dane’s Legacy Is One Fans Continue to Enjoy
Eric Dane as Nathan Blythe on his cell phone in CountdownImage via Prime Video
While Dane became a voice for the ALS community after his diagnosis, including his episode of Brilliant Minds, his past work is also something many will still connect with. His Prime Video series Countdown, where he starred opposite Jensen Ackles, was filmed after his diagnosis but was the first series fans watched with him in it knowing about his ALS journey. There are so many shows that fans turn to when thinking about Dane. An entirely new group of fans learned to hate his role on Euphoria while the older generation loved Mark Sloan. His work is beloved and for a good reason, he was one of the best actors out there, and he will be missed.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Release Date
March 27, 2005
Directors
Advertisement
Rob Corn, Kevin McKidd, Debbie Allen, Chandra Wilson, Allison Liddi-Brown, Jeannot Szwarc, Tony Phelan
Writers
Shonda Rhimes, Julie Wong, Jen Klein, Tameson Duffy, Meg Marinis
Advertisement
Advertisement
Chandra Wilson
Dr. Miranda Bailey
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Mickey Rourke claimed Eric Dane was hospitalized days before his death in a since-deleted Instagram post.
“Erick is adding quickly this is an incurable nightmare disease there is : NO CURE,” Rourke, 73, captioned the post shared on Sunday, February 15, according to a screenshot obtained by Us Weekly. “THANK FULLY HIS WIFE AND CHILDERN [sic] ARE BY HIS SIDE AT THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS RUSHED TO EARLY SUNDAY.”
He added, “ALL WE CAN DO FOR ERIC IS PRAY HARD AND HOPE HES MOT SUFFERING. HOD BLESS THIS MAN WITH THIS ” NIGHTMARE DISEASE. THERE IS NOTHING DR’S CAN DO REALLY JUST PRAY THATS ALL ANY OF US WHO LOVE THIS MAN all my love and prayers my brother.”
The caption went along with a photo of Dane and his wife, Rebecca Gayheart. Us reached out to Dane’s reps at the time.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family confirmed in a statement to Us. “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world.”
The statement continued, “Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”
Dane’s death came nearly one year after going public with his ALS diagnosis. The Grey’s Anatomy alum announced the illness with a statement shared via People in April 2025.
Advertisement
“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he said at the time. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
Eric Dane made his final appearance less than three months before his death. Dane appeared on a virtual panel for IAMALS.org on December 2, 2025, and discussed the impacts of his diagnosis. “I have no reason to be in a good spirit at any time, on any given day,” Dane said. “I don’t think anybody […]
Advertisement
Rourke was just one celebrity who spoke out in the wake of Dane’s illness over the past year. While it’s unclear how long they were friends (some reports claim their relationship spanned a decade), Rourke often took to Instagram with posts sharing support for Dane throughout his ALS battle.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
“My man. ” Eric Dane. Is in good hands. Getting lost of love and Riding Horses in Texas. Eric is a very “” talented,” Rourke captioned a September 2025 Instagram post. “Sending Erick love and best wishes. “” stay in the ” saddle my brother…. L& R YER FRIEND. MICKEY.”
Advertisement
Months later, Rourke shared similar sentiments in a separate social media caption. (Both posts featured a solo photo of Dane.)
My very special. Friend. Talented. Eric Dane. ” Battles through. Very tough. Illness,” he wrote in November 2025. “To give a riveting performance, you can put. “COURAGE. NET TO THIS MANS NAME, LOVE U BROTHER. YOUR A BRAVE AND SPECIAL CAT.. LOBE& MADD RESPECT. MICKEY..”” LOVEYA.”
The current Netflix top 10 is packed with eye-catching titles, but none are proving particularly dominant. After its arrival on the platform just over a week ago, 2025’s live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie has maintained a strong position near the top. At the time of writing, the most-watched movie on Netflix is Tyler Perry‘s Joe’s College Road Trip, although a resurgence for KPop Demon Hunters and a continued run in the charts for the Jason Statham-led Homefrontprovide worthy competition. But what else is hidden in the Netflix catalog that deserves its flowers? To help you find a gem or three, here’s a list of movies you should watch on Netflix.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.
Advertisement
3
‘Life After Beth’ (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes: 46% | IMDb: 5.7/10
It has now been just over a year since the world lost the enormous talent of Jeff Baenafar too soon. In his memory, check out his best collaboration with his wife, Aubrey Plaza. Life After Beth, written and directed by Baena, follows a young man, Zach Orfman (Dane DeHaan), grieving the death of his girlfriend, whose life is turned upside down when she inexplicably rises from the grave. However, she is not how he remembers.
A horror comedy that is as gruesome as it is romantic, Life After Beth blends genres with ease thanks to the detailed eye of Baena. Although it faced poor reviews upon debut in 2014, it has since developed a loving fanbase and, in the wake of Baena’s passing, a reevaluation that sees it for the dark, comedic gem that it is.
Advertisement
2
‘The Iron Claw’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.5/10
With less than a month to go before the 98th Academy Awards, why not check out one of the most egregious snubs of the decade? Starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, and Harris Dickinson as the Von Erich brothers, a group with a beloved legacy in the world of professional wrestling, Sean Durkin’s 2023 biopic The Iron Claw follows their rise to the top of their sport and the mental and personal toll it takes.
The Iron Claw features Efron’s best performance and is supported by White, Dickinson, and more in stellar turns. A tearjerking tale that will leave you stunned, this profound story of family and sacrifice somehow bypassed most awards ceremonies back in 2024. With that in mind, don’t let it bypass you this weekend.
1
‘Wakefield’ (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes: 74% | IMDb: 6.3/10
In one of his many underrated post-Breaking Bad performances, Bryan Cranston stars as the titular successful suburbanite Howard Wakefield in writer/director Robin Swicord‘s 2016 movie, Wakefield. On the edge of madness, Howard decides his best option is to disassociate and cut himself off from the world by hiding in his attic for weeks, leaving him to reflect on his past and the door open for someone else to invade his future.
Advertisement
One of the many undiscovered gems lurking in the Netflix catalog, Wakefield is a drama that won’t be for everyone. If you’re someone who loves contemplative films that will leave you reflecting on your own existence, then this is the movie for you. Featuring a stellar starring turn from Cranston, this clever character study is more than worth your time.
It’s been over 30 years since “Tommy Boy” hit movie theaters around the country — and Rob Lowe is just now making it known publicly he wants some damn credit!
The actor had an uncredited part as Paul in the 1995 comedy film starring Chris Farley, David Spade, Bo Derek and Brian Dennehy — but Rob says that needs to change — pronto! — in an open letter to Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison.
Advertisement
Waiting for your permission to load the Twitter Tweet.
Rob posted the letter to his X account Thursday night … and, we gotta admit, it all sounds like a joke. Kicking things off, Rob says among the “long-standing, important and unresolved issues” is his lack of credit on “Tommy Boy.”
Advertisement
He then talks about how it’s an “atrocity” perpetrated by a previous regime at Paramount and a stain on the company’s legacy. Rob goes on to say … he and others urge Ellison to “be on the right side of history and rectify this heinous act, with the addition of: “and Rob Lowe as Paul” above title.”
Like we said … it all sounds very tongue and cheek … but maybe Rob has harbored some ill feelings about it over the years and is just now addressing it with comedic bluster.
Content Warning: The following article contains discussions of abuse and sexual assault.When fans think of anime, big shows such as Dragon Ball usually come to mind first, but despite being incredibly popular, it is bound to have haters because it is so widespread. Anime like One Piece and Dandadan are more loved, but they have aspects ranging from pacing and flanderization to crude and uncomfortable material. Still, despite a good deal of dislike, they are overall widely acclaimed.
However, there are anime series that are much more polarizing than these, with fans split between loving them or hating them. That is why this list will rank the ten most polarizing anime of all time based on the standard deviation of scores, mix of love and hate, controversial elements, and popularity. These ten anime are divisive among the anime community, so do you love or hate these series?
Advertisement
10
‘Devilman Crybaby’ (2018)
Devilman surrounded by blood in Devilman Crybaby.Image via Science Saru
There are plenty of dark anime series out there, and while they can be critically acclaimed, their depressing nature often makes them polarizing. Devilman Crybaby follows Akira, a kind-hearted soul who turns into a demon during a sabbath. Despite doing everything he can to use his powers for good, Akira can’t help but get into trouble and attract other dangerous demons.
Devilman Crybaby went through the checklist of dark content and checked them all, from gore to sexual content, taboo themes, and a general mature vibe that didn’t sit well with many viewers. It won the anime of the year award at the Crunchyroll Awards, but its ratings are vastly different. From 10/10s to 5/10s to 1/10s, Devilman Crybaby is justified in any of these ratings depending on fan preferences, but it is still overall critically acclaimed.
Advertisement
9
‘School Days’ (2007)
Makoto Itou wearing a school uniform standing outside in front of a fence in School Days anime.Image via TNK
There are plenty of bad anime, but not many on this list, except for School Days, one of the most notorious anime shows of all time. The main character has a crush on a girl in his school, and when someone learns this, they work together to get him a date. However, what ensues is a weird love triangle that devolves into a murder spree.
School Days isn’t as polarizing as it is just bad or hated, regarded as one of the worst anime shows of all time. The plot is nonsensical, the characters are horribly written and generally just the worst, and the gore and sexual material are unnecessary and gross. However, there are still some fans who enjoyed him, meaning that no matter how bad the reviews are, it is still polarizing.
Advertisement
8
‘Made in Abyss’ (2017–Present)
Made in Abyss: Awakening MysteryImage via Crunchyroll
The last couple of entries on this list were pretty dark, and at first glance, fans might think Made in Abyss is different, but underneath its wholesome exterior is a dark and disturbing anime. A girl and a robot boy travel into the Abyss searching for answers about their mother and history, respectively, encountering horrific creatures and situations the further they go.
Made in Abyss has one of the greatest stories in manga, delivering a dark yet intriguing plot with fascinating worldbuilding. However, for everything good about it, this show has an equally bad aspect, mainly its depiction of the young characters. From the horrific violence they experience to the sexual scenarios, Made in Abyss divides the fanbase with the author’s obvious fetish.
Advertisement
7
‘Aku no Hana’ (2013)
Still of Takao and Sawa in Flowers of EvilImage via Zexcs
Anime doesn’t try new things as often anymore, unfortunately, because when they do, the results are mixed. Aku no Hana, also known as Flowers of Evil, follows a student after he commits a deed he regrets. Caught in the act, he is blackmailed to fulfill their darkest fantasies, caught in a spiral of traumatic experiences.
Aku no Hana already features a wildly sexual and dark plot, which always splits the audience. However, what made it so polarizing was its rotoscoping animation, which it used extensively. This animation does look weird and uncanny, but it is also visually distinct. Aku no Hana is an artistically ambitious anime, but weird art styles are a recipe for polarizing reviews.
Advertisement
6
‘Beastars’ (2019–2026)
Image via Netflix
Set in a world where anthropomorphic animals make up society, an uneasy tension resides between the carnivores and herbivores. Beastarsfollows a humanoid wolf, who tries to lie low after one of his classmates dies. However, his predatory instincts and interest in a unique rabbit create a troubling situation for him and the mysterious death of his classmate.
Whether fans refer to them as anthropomorphic or furries, it is a topic that spurs much debate and leads to many fans not watching certain shows. This general theme has already made Beastars polarizing, but the author’s weird fetishes can also be seen, creating an uncomfortable romance with weird moments.
Advertisement
5
‘Fire Force’ (2019–2026)
Poster for ‘Fire Force’ Season 3Image via Crunchyroll
Soul Eater is an incredibly popular anime, but the author also made Fire Force, a series that fans can’t seem to agree on. In a world where humans spontaneously combust into demon-like creatures, the firefighters exorcise these monsters. Shinra joins the 8th company to learn more about the mysterious circumstances surrounding his parents’ deaths.
Fire Force is a typical shōnen for the most part, but it has a unique vibe, premise, sound design, and moments that separate it from the rest. However, no matter how good the rest of the show is, there is one character who is always suddenly naked. This instantly shifts the vibe for the worse, ruining any serious or comedic impact that had previously been there. Some fans can look past this, but others can’t, making Fire Force a polarizing show, even if it is one of the best anime series on Crunchyroll right now.
Advertisement
4
‘Monogatari Series’ (2009–Present)
Kiss-Shot and Araragi sitting together in Kizumonogatari movieImage via SHAFT
A lot of anime are all about flashy moments and spectacular fights, but the Monogatari Series is different, delivering a dialogue-focused experience. Araragi is a normal human with the abilities of a vampire, which he uses to fight the physical manifestations of his friend’s mental illnesses. It is an endless fight against horrific monsters and depressing situations.
The Monogatari Series is one of the most unique anime shows on this list, becoming critically acclaimed because of its profound and well-written dialogue, distinct editing, and avant-garde style. However, it ruins whatever prestigious writing it had with perverted moments where the protagonist abuses female characters for jokes, some underage. This obviously creates a polarizing anime that fans love or hate.
Advertisement
3
‘Sword Art Online’ (2012–2020)
Kirito and Asuna in a town looking behind them in Sword Art Online. Image via A-1 Pictures
The Isekai genre is already polarizing because of a mix of unoriginality and weird storytelling, so naturally, there are a few controversial shows, such as Sword Art Online. A bunch of eager players hop into the new VR game, but they don’t realize that they will be stuck in the game. Death in the game means death in real life, prompting players to try to escape.
Sword Art Online quickly became one of the most popular anime series of all time because of its escapist fantasy and fun premise. However, it left what it did well in favor of incestuous moments, odd narrative choices, and generally poor writing. Sword Art Online is a very popular Isekai, but it is also one of the shows with the widest standard deviation, as reviews are never consistent.
Yet another Isekai lands on this list, this time being Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation. After a stay-at-home loser dies, he is reborn as a child in a fantastical world. Not wanting to waste his new life, he becomes a powerful mage and travels across the world, but he still has plenty of flaws and traumatic experiences in store for him.
Ignoring its controversial aspects for now, Mushoku Tensei does feature some compelling character development and magical worldbuilding. Unfortunately, Rudeus is a controversial protagonist. Some fans justify his actions as flaws he will develop out of, and others can’t get over his disgusting behavior. Mushoku Tensei is the most polarizing modern anime at the moment.
Advertisement
1
‘Fairy Tail’ (2009–Present)
Guild in the Grand Magic Games from Fairy TailImage via A-1 Pictures
Fairy Tail technically still isn’t over, with a sequel manga currently running, even if fans haven’t heard much about it. The titular wizard guild is home to a plethora of odd characters, such as Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Erza, and Happy. Together, they take on dangerous missions, all the while a dark force threatens to reemerge.
While Mushoku Tensei is the most polarizing anime right now, Fairy Tail is the most polarizing of all time. A lot of fans have forgotten about it, so the hate has died off, but there was a time when everyone either loved this series or hated it more than anything. Fans have cited the overt fanservice, overuse of the power of friendship, and lack of a plot as criticisms, but others appreciate Fairy Tail‘s great arcs, endearing characters, emotional weight, and sense of adventure. Fairy Tail also used to be massive, sparking hate from other fanbases, resulting in its status as the most polarizing anime of all time.
From that point, social media users began speculating if Diamond just revealed the gender of Chris Brown’s alleged “new baby on the way.” From there, more comments began rolling into the thread.
Advertisement
Instagram user @mary_nicolex3 then wrote, “You are ruthless I love it lol tell us when she’s due 👀 🤫”
While Instagram user @lolma20 added, “Ohh that’s great. Aeko has a baby bro. Same as Royalty and lovely”
Instagram user @_wildflower_sunsets then wrote, “My girl Diamond is Southern, and don’t play! I know that’s right. I knew something was up when he stopped liking your posts.”
While Diamond responded, “@_wildflower_sunsets it’s because I even blocked him boo.”
Advertisement
Amid that, Instagram user @ruanrudg wrote, “But she’s been… She was just out partying again…. It’s all over the teambreezy fanpages.”
While Diamond replied with, “@ruanrudg that ain’t my business. 🤷🏽♀️”
Instagram user @zamnitsnina wrote, “Bro you really dgaf😂😂😂 you don’t let nobody play with you !
While Diamond replied, “@zamnitsnina EVER. Not playing about me or my daughter. I’ll die on that hill.”
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Instagram user @mushiyrahtaahiyrah wrote, “@mary_nicolex3 SHE REACHEDBAT BREAKING POINT .. I WAS WAITING FOR IT ..”
While Instagram user @carynngee added, “DIAMOND WHEN IS THE BABY DUE”
Instagram user @prettyellajane_ chimed in with, “Omg you so messy 😂”
While Instagram user @lejanieee_ added, “Savage and we love it!! 😂”
Advertisement
To note, at this time, Diamond Brown’s claim remains unconfirmed. For knowledge, Babycenter reports that ultrasounds can detect an unborn child’s gender between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. However, it also notes that bloodwork from a noninvasive prenatal test can yield results as early as 10 weeks.
Before The Social Media Speculation About Gender, Diamond Brown Threw The Internet Into A Frenzy By Alleging That Chris Brown Has A “Baby On The Way”
As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier on February 18, Diamond Brown, the mother of Chris Brown’s youngest daughter, Lovely, accused the singer of having a baby on the way. Additionally, he allegation arrived amid her telling him to leave her alone.
From there, Diamond clapped back, revealing the reason she was upset with Chris. Ultimately, she explained that she isn’t mad about him moving on. But she wants him to let her do the same.
Has The Singer Clarified The Claim?
From there, Chris Brown’s rumored girlfriend, Jada Wallace, blasted Diamond Brown. Wallace alleged that Diamond is keeping Lovely away from Chris. Furthermore, Jada accused Diamond of dating Chris’s friends to get a “rise” out of him.
Advertisement
In turn, Diamond shared a lengthy message, denying Wallace’s claim but ultimately doubling down on her claim of Jada being pregnant.
By the end of the night, Chris Brown had seemingly weighed in on the drama. However, he shed no light on whether Diamond’s “baby on the way” allegation was true.
Businesswoman and socialite Hailey Bieber is offering a rare glimpse into her life as a mother to her son, Jack Blues, who is almost 2 years old, revealing the joys of parenthood. She also addressed the possibility of expanding her family with Justin Bieber.
Article continues below advertisement
Hailey Bieber Gushes About Jack Blues
MEGA
In a conversation with Jake Shane on the podcast “Therapuss,” Hailey opened up about her life as a mother, proudly telling the host stories about Jack.
According to her, her son has shown a keen interest in basketball and says the word all the time. “So he talks a lot about basketball. He says basketball all the time. I went to get him up from his nap today, and he was like ‘basketball’. He’s just… It’s insane. So funny,” she shared.
Hailey said that Jack has also learned to say please, both verbally and in sign language.
Advertisement
The mother-of-one told Shane that she enjoys motherhood and always wanted to have children. “When it happens, you never know what to expect and you don’t know what it’s going to be like. And it’s honestly so much fun,” she shared.
Article continues below advertisement
The Socialite Gave Birth In 2024
Justin announced the birth of Jack Blues via Instagram in August 2024. They welcomed their bundle of joy after six years of marriage. “WELCOME HOME,” the singer wrote in the caption, with a photo of Jack’s tiny foot being caressed by his mother.
Before the birth of Jack, the couple often expressed their desire to have children. One of Hailey’s concerns was the public’s scrutiny, especially as both of them are public figures. “It’s enough that people say things about my husband or my friends. I can’t imagine having to confront people saying things about a child,” she explained. Despite her reservations, she said the important thing is for the child to “feel loved and safe.”
Advertisement
Article continues below advertisement
Justin, on the other hand, said he’d like to have “a little tribe.” However, he left the decision to his wife. “It’s her body and whatever she wants to do. I think she wants to have a few,” he shared in 2020.
Article continues below advertisement
Justin And Hailey Bieber Share Responsibilities
MEGA
In February, Hailey opened up about how she balances her busy schedule while being a parent to a young child. As she told E News, “Having a great partner is really important.”
The entrepreneur was at a Vogue event in Australia at that time, leaving her son with Justin. “I’m here working and my son is at home with his dad living his best life. Having that support is very freeing and makes the decision a little bit easier,” Hailey shared.
Advertisement
In an interview with Vogue Italia, Hailey expressed how motherhood changed her. “It’s been the best teacher I’ve ever had,” adding that it was also good for her marriage, as it allowed her to see Justin “in such a different way.” She called her husband a natural when it came to fatherhood.
Article continues below advertisement
The Couple Feels Protective Over Their Child
Both Justin and Hailey value privacy, and they maintain the same preference when it comes to their son. They rarely post photos of him on social media, and when they do, they make sure his face is hidden.
Growing up in the public eye, the Biebers know what it’s like to be scrutinized, and they want to protect Jack from the relentless public attention. As Hailey told GQ in 2025, they are taking things day by day.
Advertisement
“Our life is our life and it is really public, so I think we’re just going to cross every bridge that when we need to when we get there,” Hailey shared, adding that so far, she’s “comfortable” with what they have and haven’t shared with the public.
Hailey Bieber Wants To Have At Least One More Child
As Hailey told GQ, there’s nothing anyone can say that will prepare someone for motherhood. However, now that she’s had Jack, she feels “much more prepared” to become a mother once again.
As for when that will happen, Hailey told Shane that she “definitely” wants at least one more child, but she’s in no rush to make that happen. “I definitely want one more. Maybe I’ll have four more. Maybe I’ll have three… I’m just taking it one day at a time,” she said.
Eric Dane rose to fame in the early 2000s after he was introduced to fans as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloane on Grey’s Anatomy in 2006.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
After his (spoiler alert) onscreen death in 2012, the actor moved on from his stint at the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital and to tackle other roles. While Dane has appeared in several movies over the years, various TV series have defined the bulk of his career. The actor starred as Tom Chandler on The Last Ship from 2014 to 2018 before taking on Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, a role he’s held since 2019.
Advertisement
Dane’s personal life has also made headlines throughout his career, including many ups and downs with wife Rebecca Gayheart. In April 2025, Dane — age 52 at the time — announced that he had been diagnosed with ALS. He died less than one year later.
Keep scrolling to look back at the actor through the years:
Jason Bateman is opening up about the turning point that changed his life.
The longtime actor and producer admitted he didn’t fully embrace sobriety until 2004, three years into his marriage to Amanda Anka.
After years of hard partying, drinking, and what he once referred to as “the Scarface stuff,” Bateman said the pressure at home and the tension it caused finally forced him to make a decision that would alter both his career and his family life for good.
Article continues below advertisement
Advertisement
Jason Bateman Says Marriage Tension Forced A Sobriety Decision
CraSH/imageSPACE / MEGA
Jason Bateman revealed that his journey toward quitting cocaine and alcohol wasn’t instant, but was negotiated.
He admitted that he didn’t get “California sober” until 2004, several years into his now 24-year marriage to Anka.
“Amanda and I definitely had a few negotiations about the point at which the [partying] spigot was going to completely turn off,” the 57-year-old former child star told The Hollywood Reporter. “She’d be like, ‘This drip, drip, drip is annoyingly unpredictable, Jason.’”
At the time, Bateman confessed he believed his sobriety “ETA was six months away.” However, after ongoing back and forth with Anka, he realized the stress wasn’t sustainable.
He ultimately decided that if he could “land this plane now,” it would alleviate a lot of the tension, so he decided to do it.
Advertisement
Article continues below advertisement
That moment marked the end of years of alcohol and cocaine use and the beginning of a more stable chapter in his personal life.
Article continues below advertisement
Bateman’s Hard-Party Reputation Delayed Romance With Amanda Anka
Jeffrey Mayer/JTMPhotos, Int’l. / MEGA
Jason Bateman first met Anka at an LA Kings game in 1988. However, their romance didn’t immediately take off.
The actress reportedly delayed dating him for an entire decade because of his hard-partying Hollywood lifestyle.
Advertisement
“I just wasn’t into where he was at,” Anka told GQ in 2013. Once Bateman cleaned up his act, everything shifted.
“[Now] I can’t get him off the couch to go to a party. This is a guy who wants to go get frozen yogurt and come home,” she said.
Even his friends have noticed the dramatic transformation. Jimmy Kimmel joked to The Hollywood Reporter, “He rarely makes it out past 10, and if he does, there’s a lot of, ‘Oh great job, Grandpa. Congratulations.’”
Article continues below advertisement
Advertisement
Kimmel himself admitted he didn’t want to get too close to Bateman until after drugs, referencing the shenanigans Bateman once got into with Andy Dick backstage in 2003.
Today, Bateman and Anka, who co-starred in the 2003 rom-com “Sol Good,” share two daughters, 19-year-old Franny and 14-year-old Maple.
Article continues below advertisement
Jason Bateman Went Wild After Early Acting Success
MEGA
Long before sobriety, Bateman was a disciplined child actor helping to financially support his family.
He appeared in projects like “Little House on the Prairie,” “Silver Spoons,” and “Teen Wolf Too,” building a steady résumé at a young age.
Advertisement
However, after wrapping his six-season run as David in NBC’s “The Hogan Family” in 1991, Bateman admitted he went off the rails.
“Fortunately, I was living at a time without social media and camera phones, so I got away with a lot, but it was definitely close a few times,” he recalled.
The absence of smartphones may have shielded him from public fallout, but the partying lifestyle eventually caught up with him.
Despite that turbulent period, Bateman managed to avoid complete career collapse, something many former child stars struggle to escape.
Advertisement
His decision to quit drugs and drinking would later become a crucial factor in his professional resurgence.
Article continues below advertisement
Bateman Says Respect Became His Focus
MEGA
Jason Bateman’s career revival began when he starred as Michael Bluth in Mitchell Hurwitz’s satirical sitcom “Arrested Development,” which ran across multiple seasons on Fox and later Netflix.
That role ushered in what many consider his prestige era. He went on to produce, direct, and star in Netflix’s crime drama “Ozark,” earning Emmy recognition. He also secured a lucrative $100 million deal co-hosting the podcast “SmartLess.”
Reflecting on his shift in priorities, Bateman said, “Having been on the outside looking in for so long, I’d gotten a real good sense of what it was that provided longevity, and it wasn’t fame or money, it was respect.”
Advertisement
He added, “I still feel like I’m trying not to be a child-actor failure. I’m still trying to make it out.”
Though he admits he’s “not above a marijuana gummy,” Bateman’s mindset has clearly evolved from the chaos of his earlier years.
Article continues below advertisement
Jason Bateman Balances Sobriety With A Busy Producing Slate
CraSH/imageSPACE / MEGA
Jason Bateman isn’t slowing down. He will next executive produce and star as Clark in Steve Conrad’s seven-episode HBO Max series “DTF St. Louis,” premiering March 1.
The black comedy/murder mystery follows a love triangle involving middle-aged characters, with one winding up dead.
Advertisement
David Harbour, Linda Cardellini, Richard Jenkins, Joy Sunday, and Peter Sarsgaard are also set to appear.
His production company, Aggregate Films, is also behind Courteney Cox’s second directorial feature, “Evil Genius,” starring Harbour, Patricia Arquette, Ryan Eggold, and Thomas Michael Allen.
The indie crime thriller is based on the 2018 Netflix docuseries about the 2003 death of pizza deliveryman Brian Wells.
Meanwhile, Anka’s most recent IMDb-credited project was producing Apple TV+ newsroom drama “The Morning Show” between 2019 and 2021.
Advertisement
From wild teen idol to respected filmmaker and devoted father, Bateman’s decision to quit cocaine in 2004 reshaped both his personal life and his professional legacy, and it’s a transformation he no longer shies away from discussing.