The Bateman family is a familiar name around Hollywood, known for introducing two of the finest role players, and a remarkable producer. Kent Bateman is an American producer who fathered both Jason and Justine Bateman. Although Jason is perhaps the best known of Kent’s children for his role in “Horrible Bosses”, his older sister Justine has also made her mark on the film industry, and has won several awards, and been nominated for others. Many might remember Justine, but what has happened to the young actress?
Read on as we discuss the life of Justine Bateman, who is forever immortalized as ‘Mallory Keaton’ in “Family Ties”.
Early Life and Family
Justine Tanya Bateman was born in Rye City, New York State USA, on 19 of February 1966. She is the elder child of Bruce Kent Bateman and Victoria Elizabeth Bateman, and the older sister of Jason Bateman. Her mother was a former flight attendant with Pan American Airways, originally from the UK and is of British descent.
Her father worked as an acting coach, director and film producer.
Not much is known about her early life, except that she completed her high school education in California, and at the age of sixteen Justine starred in the hit sitcom “Family Ties” while still attending high school.
Educational Background
Justine attended the Chaft Charter High School in Woodlands, California, from where she matriculated in the class of ‘84. By that time she had already signed a contract with Paramount Studios for the “Family Ties” sitcom, but due to restrictions in the contract wasn’t permitted to attend college. In 2016, at the age of 50, Justine enrolled into the University of California, Los Angeles, and now holds a degree in Computer Science and Digital Media Management.
Career
Justine’s career began at the age of 16 with the role of Mallory Keaton in the ‘80s hit sitcom “Family Ties”, in which she starred alongside the legendary Micheal J. Fox and Meridith Baxter. The series aired from 1982 until its finale in 1989, with Justine appearing in 176 episodes, and was rewarded with the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Comedy Series, and also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a series.
Following her success in her first role, Justine appeared in other TV shows and starred in several major films up until 2000 and 2001 when she took a break from the silver screen.
Among her more iconic roles during this period, she starred alongside Liam Neeson in the 1988 film “Satisfaction”, and in 1990 in the films “The Closer” and “The Fatal Image”, and in many more titles leading up to 2000.
Between 2000 and 2001 she left the filming industry to start her own design house, Justine Bateman Design that produced knitted couture and everyday fashion. Then in 2002, she made her re-appearance on the silver screen in an episode of “Ozzy and Drix”. In 2003 she starred in the series “Out of Order”, and received a Satellite Award as Best Supporting Actress in a series for her role as ‘Annie’.
In the following year she starred in the film “Humor Me” and appeared in three episodes of “Still Standing. Her acting career carried on from there, to include numerous roles – some of her more iconic appearances include episodes of “Desperate Housewives” and “Californication”.
Apart from a successful acting career, Justine has also followed her father’s footsteps, and began pursuing a career in production and consulting, establishing her own firm ‘Section 5’.
She’s also written a book that discusses the social need for stardom, entitled “Fame”, and wrote an episode for “The Wizards of Waverly Place”.
Hobbies, Favorite Things and Interesting Facts
Justine’s favourites include the colours pink and blue, Chinese food, and location is Los Angeles. Justine is admired by fans for being a handy knitter and is renowned for her designs.
She is also an activist for net neutrality (by internet providers) and supports this cause openly. She is also a nifty pilot with an aviation license that permits her to fly small, single-engine aeroplanes, and is a skilled scuba-diver.
While on the set of “Family Ties” Justine had suffered from anorexia and Bulimia but has overcome these difficulties.
Relationships
Justine has been known for having a number of relationships. In 1987, she dated Scott McGinnis, and later had a romantic engagement with Leif Garret, but the relationship ended in 1993. In 2001 Justine married Mark Fluent who is still her spouse, and the father of their two children, son Duke Kenneth and daughter Gianetta Fluent.
Physical Characteristics
- Date of Birth: 19 February 1966
- Hair Color: Brown
- Eye Color: Blue
- Height: 5ft 6ins (1.68m)
- Weight: 126lbs (53kgs)
- Dress Size: 4 (US)
- Body Measurements: 34-27-34 inches
- Shoe Size: Unknown
- Bra Size: 34B
- Star Sign: Pisces
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
Net Worth
From a long list of professions, although mostly contributed to by her career in acting, Justine Bateman has accumulated a fortune, her net worth estimated at $5 million, as of early 2020.