Jason Bateman Movies and TV Shows: Complete Filmography Guide

There’s a certain comfort in watching Jason Bateman on screen — he has a way of making even morally complicated characters feel relatable. From his child-acting days on Little House on the Prairie to his Emmy-winning turn on Ozark, his career has spanned over four decades. This guide traces the major milestones in his filmography and what’s coming next.

Years active: 1981–present · Notable TV series: Arrested Development, Ozark, The Hogan Family · Notable films: Bad Words, The Family Fang, Horrible Bosses · Awards: Golden Globe (Arrested Development), Emmy (Ozark) · Directorial debut: Bad Words (2013)

Here is a quick reference table for Jason Bateman’s key biographical details.

What is Jason Bateman best known for?

The name Jason Bateman is practically synonymous with two defining TV roles. First, as Michael Bluth, the long-suffering son on Arrested Development (2003–2019), which earned him a Golden Globe award. Then came Martin “Marty” Byrde in Ozark (2017–2022), where he also directed multiple episodes — winning an Emmy for Outstanding Directing. These two performances define his reputation as an actor who balances dry humor with intense drama.

Beyond television, his film credits include comedies like Horrible Bosses (2011), Identity Thief (2013), and the cult hit Game Night (2018). He also directed two feature films — Bad Words (2013) and The Family Fang (2015) — establishing himself as a filmmaker, not just an actor.

The pattern: Bateman excels when he plays a character who is outwardly calm but internally fraying. That range — from Michael Bluth’s exasperated eye-rolls to Marty Byrde’s quiet calculations — is what keeps audiences coming back.

What 80s sitcom did Jason Bateman play in?

What sitcom did Jason Bateman get his start on?

In 1986, Bateman landed the role of David Hogan on The Hogan Family (originally titled Valerie), a sitcom about a family adjusting after the mother’s death. He played the eldest son for all six seasons (1986–1991), a part that turned him from a child actor into a teen star (Rotten Tomatoes). The show was a springboard: it proved he could carry a network series at age 17.

• Premiered on NBC in 1986
• Bateman appeared in 110 episodes as David Hogan (TV Guide)
• The series ran for six seasons, ending in 1991

What this means: The Hogan Family gave Bateman early experience with both comedy and family drama, skills he later refined on Arrested Development and Ozark.

What was Jason Bateman’s first major TV role?

Before The Hogan Family, Bateman already had a recurring role on Little House on the Prairie (1981–1982), which marked his first professional acting job. But his first major role — the one that made him a household name for 80s TV viewers — was definitely David Hogan (Movie Insider).

What TV series was Jason Bateman on as a kid?

Bateman’s earliest credited performance was as James Cooper Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie in 1981, a guest role that ran for several episodes (Rotten Tomatoes filmography). He also appeared in single episodes of Silver Spoons and The Love Boat during that period, building his resume as a child actor. At that point, nobody would have predicted the Emmy-winning director he’d become — but the foundation was there.

The catch: His childhood roles set him up for a steady acting career, but they also typecast him as the nice kid. Breaking out of that mold took years — and a role on a Fox sitcom.

What is the new Jason Bateman show on Netflix?

What is the name of Jason Bateman’s new series on Netflix?

In 2025, Netflix released Black Rabbit, a crime drama set in New York starring Bateman as a nightclub owner who gets entangled in a dangerous underworld. The series is produced by Aggregate Films, Bateman’s own production company, and he also directs and executive produces multiple episodes (Movie Insider).

Alongside Black Rabbit, Bateman will voice Nick Wilde in Disney’s Zootopia 2 (also 2025) — a return to voice acting after Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016). That project is separate from his Netflix partnership and shows his range remains broad.

Is Jason Bateman sober in real life?

Yes. Bateman has publicly stated he stopped drinking in 2013. In interviews, he explained that alcohol “wasn’t helping” his health or his family life, and quitting was a simple decision — he just decided he didn’t want to drink anymore (Movie Insider). He has credited sobriety with sharpening his focus both personally and professionally.

This aspect of his personal life has become a notable part of his public narrative, especially as he discusses it openly in promotional interviews. It’s also one of the most searched questions about him online, according to search trends.

Timeline: Jason Bateman’s career in milestones

• 1981–1982: Child acting debut: plays James Cooper Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie (Rotten Tomatoes)
• 1986–1991: Stars as David Hogan in The Hogan Family (TV Guide)
• 2003–2006, 2013–2019: Stars as Michael Bluth in Arrested Development (Movie Insider)
• 2013: Directorial debut: Bad Words; publicly states sobriety (Movie Insider)
• 2017–2022: Stars and directs in Ozark; wins Emmy for directing (Movie Insider)
• 2025: Releases new Netflix series Black Rabbit (Movie Insider)
• 2026: Upcoming project DFT St. Louis (dark comedy with HBO Max) (YouTube trailer)

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Born June 14, 1969, in Rye, New York (TV Guide)
• First TV role in 1981 on Little House on the Prairie (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Breakout role in The Hogan Family (1986–1991) (Movie Insider)
• Golden Globe win for Arrested Development (2005) (TV Guide)
• Emmy win for directing Ozark (2019) (Movie Insider)
• Sober since 2013 (Movie Insider)
• Black Rabbit released 2025 on Netflix (Movie Insider)

What remains unclear

• Exact number of film credits varies by source (Rotten Tomatoes lists more than Movie Insider; IMDb differs further) — act of counting is inconsistent
• Future projects beyond Black Rabbit and DFT St. Louis are unconfirmed; Family Therapy and Significant Other remain in development with no release dates (Movie Insider)

Key quotes from Bateman and critics

“I just decided I didn’t want to drink anymore. It wasn’t helping me.”

— Jason Bateman, Movie Insider interview section

“Bateman brings a tense, cinematic quality to the series that elevates it beyond typical streaming drama.”

— Critic review, Rotten Tomatoes critics’ consensus

These two perspectives — one personal, one professional — capture the dual nature of Bateman’s public image: a disciplined actor who turned personal challenges into creative fuel.

Bottom line

Jason Bateman is what happens when a child actor doesn’t fade away. Instead, he used the skills from decades of sitcom work to become a director and producer of prestige TV. For fans of both his comedic and dramatic work, the next few years look promising — Black Rabbit and DFT St. Louis suggest he’s still seeking new challenges. For Netflix and HBO Max, Bateman remains a safe bet: a bankable star who also knows how to run a writers’ room. The choice for any streaming service is clear: invest in Bateman’s production company, or watch audiences follow him elsewhere.

For a detailed chronological overview of his work, see Jason Batemans complete filmography on Britpulse.

Frequently asked questions