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151 Insightful Jason Bateman Quotes

Famous As: Actor and Director
Born On: January 14, 1969
Born In: Rye, New York, United States
Age: 54 Years

The multifaceted Jason Bateman has proved his prowess not just in acting but also in direction and film production. An accidental actor, he started acting at the age of 10 when he accompanied a friend for an audition and was selected for the lead role instead. At the age of 18 , he directed three episode of ‘Valerie’ thereby becoming DGA's youngest-ever director. As funny as he acts in his movies he is known for his impeccable sense of humor in real life too. We have compiled a list of Bateman’s quotes from his interviews and writings. Have look at some of his most amusing quotes on jobs, communication, technology, comedy, love, and marriage.

I'm a guy who is a little bit complicated and is a little bit in his own head and is not the most free-spirited, fun-loving kind of guy.

I'm a guy who is a little bit complicated and is a little bit in his own head and is not the most free-spirited, fun-loving kind of guy.

Jason Bateman
Improvisation, for me, is when the cameras start rolling, we don't know where we're going and let's just waste people's time and money.

Improvisation, for me, is when the cameras start rolling, we don't know where we're going and let's just waste people's time and money.

Jason Bateman
As an actor, you get hired for what you last did. And I guess it just becomes your choice or obligation to do different things.

As an actor, you get hired for what you last did. And I guess it just becomes your choice or obligation to do different things.

Jason Bateman
When you're actor, you have no idea how much work goes into pre-production. We're just sitting in our trailers waiting for someone to knock on our door to go to the set.

When you're actor, you have no idea how much work goes into pre-production. We're just sitting in our trailers waiting for someone to knock on our door to go to the set.

Jason Bateman
I'm in bed by nine. Let's get on with it.

I'm in bed by nine. Let's get on with it.

Jason Bateman
If I'm enjoying something, I'd like to be able to just have it all. Frankly, that's the way I'm approaching my career now. I'm a total workaholic.

If I'm enjoying something, I'd like to be able to just have it all. Frankly, that's the way I'm approaching my career now. I'm a total workaholic.

Jason Bateman
I'd worked so hard that by the time I was 20, I wanted to play hard. And I did that really well.

I'd worked so hard that by the time I was 20, I wanted to play hard. And I did that really well.

Jason Bateman
I play around with my Japanese Garden. Since Im half way to 70 today I need to start pruning trees and sharpening plants like an old fart.

I play around with my Japanese Garden. Since Im half way to 70 today I need to start pruning trees and sharpening plants like an old fart.

Jason Bateman
I love a massage. I'd go every day if I could.

I love a massage. I'd go every day if I could.

Jason Bateman
I don't worry about people misinterpreting my kindness for weakness.

I don't worry about people misinterpreting my kindness for weakness.

Jason Bateman
I just love doing sitcoms. I'd be in them till I was gray if they'd have me.

I just love doing sitcoms. I'd be in them till I was gray if they'd have me.

Jason Bateman
I'm not a 'celebrity'. I'm not a big huge star and so when people see me it's usually to talk about something I've done and that's a great conversation to have.

I'm not a 'celebrity'. I'm not a big huge star and so when people see me it's usually to talk about something I've done and that's a great conversation to have.

Jason Bateman
Directing a movie is the greatest job in the world. I could not be more envious of the guys who get to do it all the time.

Directing a movie is the greatest job in the world. I could not be more envious of the guys who get to do it all the time.

Jason Bateman
I don't really find a problem with technology or television, or anything. I'm a product of it. I grew up watching TV, and I don't think I'm too dumb or too crazy.

I don't really find a problem with technology or television, or anything. I'm a product of it. I grew up watching TV, and I don't think I'm too dumb or too crazy.

Jason Bateman
I'm not a Hollywood party guy.

I'm not a Hollywood party guy.

Jason Bateman
I don't have anything to fix! I don't smoke, I don't drink, and I don't eat carbs. My life is just great now. Normal. Vanilla.

I don't have anything to fix! I don't smoke, I don't drink, and I don't eat carbs. My life is just great now. Normal. Vanilla.

Jason Bateman
My hobbies have varied over the years. There were a whole set of new ones before I got married. Now I spend as much time with my wife, who is my best friend.

My hobbies have varied over the years. There were a whole set of new ones before I got married. Now I spend as much time with my wife, who is my best friend.

Jason Bateman
I actually enjoyed changing diapers and I enjoyed swaddling. I don't mind being swaddled either, on occasion.

I actually enjoyed changing diapers and I enjoyed swaddling. I don't mind being swaddled either, on occasion.

Jason Bateman
I can be on a telephone call, and be emailing or texting somebody else, as well. I would imagine everyone appreciates that efficiency of communication. I see it as a huge positive.

I can be on a telephone call, and be emailing or texting somebody else, as well. I would imagine everyone appreciates that efficiency of communication. I see it as a huge positive.

Jason Bateman
I like being hired to do more and more stuff. Carry more and more responsibility. It's nice I'm getting that trust.

I like being hired to do more and more stuff. Carry more and more responsibility. It's nice I'm getting that trust.

Jason Bateman
I'm not much of a party guy anymore.

I'm not much of a party guy anymore.

Jason Bateman
I think anybody who's doing work in their teen years on TV or in the movies, you're a teen idol by default.

I think anybody who's doing work in their teen years on TV or in the movies, you're a teen idol by default.

Jason Bateman
What's frustrating as an actor, when you want to work hard, you can only work once that phone rings and then you can only work until the production wraps. Then you have to find another job.

What's frustrating as an actor, when you want to work hard, you can only work once that phone rings and then you can only work until the production wraps. Then you have to find another job.

Jason Bateman
I love a massage. I'd go every day if I could. I don't need to be wrapped in herbs like a salmon fillet, but I do love a massage.

I love a massage. I'd go every day if I could. I don't need to be wrapped in herbs like a salmon fillet, but I do love a massage.

Jason Bateman
It's a really exciting thing to collaborate with production designers, cinematographers and gaffers and costume designers and editors and composers.

It's a really exciting thing to collaborate with production designers, cinematographers and gaffers and costume designers and editors and composers.

Jason Bateman
Actors, by very definition, we want people to pay attention to us, and so usually, that comes in the package of insecurity. So if we're not comfortable, we don't really show you a lot.

Actors, by very definition, we want people to pay attention to us, and so usually, that comes in the package of insecurity. So if we're not comfortable, we don't really show you a lot.

Jason Bateman
On the whole, a director who make the set a comfortable place to work is really important, whether it's a comedy or drama.

On the whole, a director who make the set a comfortable place to work is really important, whether it's a comedy or drama.

Jason Bateman
Music is such an incredibly affecting part of any movie-going experience, and it just... it shapes your whole experience.

Music is such an incredibly affecting part of any movie-going experience, and it just... it shapes your whole experience.

Jason Bateman
I enjoy editing when I'm directing, but when someone else is directing, that's their film to cut.

I enjoy editing when I'm directing, but when someone else is directing, that's their film to cut.

Jason Bateman
I look at whatever the finish line is for the character and then kind of act backwards from that and play him in such a way so that that finish line is more rewarding.

I look at whatever the finish line is for the character and then kind of act backwards from that and play him in such a way so that that finish line is more rewarding.

Jason Bateman
We had, like, the greatest time you could ever imagine doing 'Arrested Development.' And as grateful as we are for the careers we have afterwards, it was - we still miss it.

We had, like, the greatest time you could ever imagine doing 'Arrested Development.' And as grateful as we are for the careers we have afterwards, it was - we still miss it.

Jason Bateman
The people at Netflix are extremely intelligent about the way they monitor activity on their platform.

The people at Netflix are extremely intelligent about the way they monitor activity on their platform.

Jason Bateman
I was very surprised to get a reading for 'Arrested Development' because it really seemed to be the opposite of that which I was known for doing.

I was very surprised to get a reading for 'Arrested Development' because it really seemed to be the opposite of that which I was known for doing.

Jason Bateman
I'm looking forward to playing Michael Bluth many, many more times.

I'm looking forward to playing Michael Bluth many, many more times.

Jason Bateman
I owe everything to 'Arrested Development.' It just shows that everybody is kind of a job away from having relevance again.

I owe everything to 'Arrested Development.' It just shows that everybody is kind of a job away from having relevance again.

Jason Bateman
I really appreciate comedy a lot.

I really appreciate comedy a lot.

Jason Bateman
My family is pretty funny. My mother is British, so she's got a very dry sense of humor. That's where I got that from.

My family is pretty funny. My mother is British, so she's got a very dry sense of humor. That's where I got that from.

Jason Bateman
Pre-production and post-production is something that I've never been exposed to. I was pleasantly surprised that you could accomplish a lot during pre-production.

Pre-production and post-production is something that I've never been exposed to. I was pleasantly surprised that you could accomplish a lot during pre-production.

Jason Bateman
To have the privileged position of being the guy who is responsible for shaping the entire experience for an audience as opposed to being just one instrument in that orchestra, being an actor, it's all-encompassing.

To have the privileged position of being the guy who is responsible for shaping the entire experience for an audience as opposed to being just one instrument in that orchestra, being an actor, it's all-encompassing.

Jason Bateman
Directing films is incredibly exciting to me.

Directing films is incredibly exciting to me.

Jason Bateman
I haven't met a lot of 'Hogan Family' fans.

I haven't met a lot of 'Hogan Family' fans.

Jason Bateman
My upbringing as a child was very atypical.

My upbringing as a child was very atypical.

Jason Bateman
I don't want to be obnoxious with my ambition or sound like I expect any sort of entitlement here. Hollywood is not in the business of humoring people.

I don't want to be obnoxious with my ambition or sound like I expect any sort of entitlement here. Hollywood is not in the business of humoring people.

Jason Bateman
Actors are sellers, and I figured out a long time ago that if you wanted to work a lot, you had to be on the buying side.

Actors are sellers, and I figured out a long time ago that if you wanted to work a lot, you had to be on the buying side.

Jason Bateman
That's kind of the fun part about acting. We do get the right to kind of get from A to Z any way we want, as long as we start at A and end at Z.

That's kind of the fun part about acting. We do get the right to kind of get from A to Z any way we want, as long as we start at A and end at Z.

Jason Bateman
You hit those valleys sometimes and it's really frustrating. It's like getting stuck in traffic on the freeway. But there's not much you can do about it.

You hit those valleys sometimes and it's really frustrating. It's like getting stuck in traffic on the freeway. But there's not much you can do about it.

Jason Bateman
I'm a pretty normal guy. I'm really good at knowing how a normal guy would react in situations.

I'm a pretty normal guy. I'm really good at knowing how a normal guy would react in situations.

Jason Bateman
I think you get the parts that people are comfortable with seeing you play.

I think you get the parts that people are comfortable with seeing you play.

Jason Bateman
I think NBC got a little reluctant to get behind single-camera shows after 'Scrubs' didn't do what they thought it was going to do following 'Friends.'

I think NBC got a little reluctant to get behind single-camera shows after 'Scrubs' didn't do what they thought it was going to do following 'Friends.'

Jason Bateman
If you make a mistake, people are going to know about it really fast - and I was making a ton of them when I was a kid.

If you make a mistake, people are going to know about it really fast - and I was making a ton of them when I was a kid.

Jason Bateman
It was a blast. I was doing everything that teenagers do and everything people in their twenties do. I was playing as hard as I was working, which was an effort to really balance my life.

It was a blast. I was doing everything that teenagers do and everything people in their twenties do. I was playing as hard as I was working, which was an effort to really balance my life.

Jason Bateman
I was doing everything that a kid would be doing anyway, but on top of that, I was able to fly to different cities.

I was doing everything that a kid would be doing anyway, but on top of that, I was able to fly to different cities.

Jason Bateman
You want 100% and 100% to make 200, instead of 50 and 50 making 100.

You want 100% and 100% to make 200, instead of 50 and 50 making 100.

Jason Bateman
I'm not talented enough to drop everything and become somebody different.

I'm not talented enough to drop everything and become somebody different.

Jason Bateman
I'm never happier than in the bed.

I'm never happier than in the bed.

Jason Bateman
I really empathise with some of my peers who had success in the early years; then it dries up, and so there's no reason to get up in the morning.

I really empathise with some of my peers who had success in the early years; then it dries up, and so there's no reason to get up in the morning.

Jason Bateman
The kids can't watch 'The Wire,' but there's great educational stuff for them to watch on TV if it is TV time. There are great apps on the iPad that are interactive and educational.

The kids can't watch 'The Wire,' but there's great educational stuff for them to watch on TV if it is TV time. There are great apps on the iPad that are interactive and educational.

Jason Bateman
I don't really find a problem with technology or television or anything. I'm a product of it. I grew up watching TV, and I don't think I'm too dumb or too crazy.

I don't really find a problem with technology or television or anything. I'm a product of it. I grew up watching TV, and I don't think I'm too dumb or too crazy.

Jason Bateman
I think the Internet is a huge positive.

I think the Internet is a huge positive.

Jason Bateman
My father was a director and producer, so when I was a little kid, he would take me to movies and show me what's good and what's not good and why, and often that would take me to a conversation about directing.

My father was a director and producer, so when I was a little kid, he would take me to movies and show me what's good and what's not good and why, and often that would take me to a conversation about directing.

Jason Bateman
When you're playing a supporting character, you don't really have a lot of control of the quality of the film.

When you're playing a supporting character, you don't really have a lot of control of the quality of the film.

Jason Bateman
People say: 'Why do you want to play the straight man?' Well, it's because he gets to be in every scene.

People say: 'Why do you want to play the straight man?' Well, it's because he gets to be in every scene.

Jason Bateman
Ideally, that's what you've got in an acting career is an equal number of dramas and comedies and an equal number of small films and big films.

Ideally, that's what you've got in an acting career is an equal number of dramas and comedies and an equal number of small films and big films.

Jason Bateman
Nothing would make me happier than doing nothing but drama for the foreseeable future.

Nothing would make me happier than doing nothing but drama for the foreseeable future.

Jason Bateman
I can't assume that my kid is going to make the best decision all the time.

I can't assume that my kid is going to make the best decision all the time.

Jason Bateman
I'm not that great of an actor, so I can't, like, completely become somebody else.

I'm not that great of an actor, so I can't, like, completely become somebody else.

Jason Bateman
I try to figure out how much of the character I can find in myself because you don't want to get outside of your skill-set.

I try to figure out how much of the character I can find in myself because you don't want to get outside of your skill-set.

Jason Bateman
There are worse things than being constantly hired to do anything.

There are worse things than being constantly hired to do anything.

Jason Bateman
There's a bunch of different flavours of funny. It's all about the execution of it.

There's a bunch of different flavours of funny. It's all about the execution of it.

Jason Bateman
I didn't really watch 'Beavis & Butt-head' that much or 'King of the Hill,' but I was a huge 'Office Space' fan.

I didn't really watch 'Beavis & Butt-head' that much or 'King of the Hill,' but I was a huge 'Office Space' fan.

Jason Bateman
I'm just going to try to stay employed. That's the tough part in this business.

I'm just going to try to stay employed. That's the tough part in this business.

Jason Bateman
If you laugh, we just do another take. Laughter is too rare nowadays. If you can bust a gut, let it go, and we'll just go back to one.

If you laugh, we just do another take. Laughter is too rare nowadays. If you can bust a gut, let it go, and we'll just go back to one.

Jason Bateman
I like to give my daughter some rope and let her make her own decisions.

I like to give my daughter some rope and let her make her own decisions.

Jason Bateman
I did a good bit of episodic television directing, but directing a movie is so much more complicated.

I did a good bit of episodic television directing, but directing a movie is so much more complicated.

Jason Bateman
I'm not a big, huge star, and so when people see me, it's usually to talk about something I've done, and that's a great conversation to have. That's what we're doing it for.

I'm not a big, huge star, and so when people see me, it's usually to talk about something I've done, and that's a great conversation to have. That's what we're doing it for.

Jason Bateman
My mother is British; she's from Shrewsbury. She turned me onto 'Monty Python' very early.

My mother is British; she's from Shrewsbury. She turned me onto 'Monty Python' very early.

Jason Bateman
It's not new: In the '70s, Archie Bunker said terrible things on 'All in the Family,' but it was all in Carroll O'Connor's performance. You saw lack of intelligence, and you laughed.

It's not new: In the '70s, Archie Bunker said terrible things on 'All in the Family,' but it was all in Carroll O'Connor's performance. You saw lack of intelligence, and you laughed.

Jason Bateman
I'd much rather have the freedom, and the obligation to use it responsibly, than be put in a box.

I'd much rather have the freedom, and the obligation to use it responsibly, than be put in a box.

Jason Bateman
Our kids will never have to remember things, because it's all in pictures. Want to remember your fourth birthday? There'll be video of it on your phone.

Our kids will never have to remember things, because it's all in pictures. Want to remember your fourth birthday? There'll be video of it on your phone.

Jason Bateman
I think it's always a good time to be in a political film in America because there's so much material for comedy.

I think it's always a good time to be in a political film in America because there's so much material for comedy.

Jason Bateman
It's very difficult to pretend you're throwing a car.

It's very difficult to pretend you're throwing a car.

Jason Bateman
I just think technology is pretty amazing. Like all things that are great, you have to be responsible about how much you use it.

I just think technology is pretty amazing. Like all things that are great, you have to be responsible about how much you use it.

Jason Bateman
As disciplined as I am, I'm also a huge hedonist.

As disciplined as I am, I'm also a huge hedonist.

Jason Bateman
It's not a sprinter's approach. It's more like a long-distance thing. You can stick around a lot longer if you kind of slow-play it.

It's not a sprinter's approach. It's more like a long-distance thing. You can stick around a lot longer if you kind of slow-play it.

Jason Bateman
I've been fortunate, but I'm also not very precious about making sure I'm the star of a film.

I've been fortunate, but I'm also not very precious about making sure I'm the star of a film.

Jason Bateman
It earns you a lot of snark if you're able to convey vulnerability.

It earns you a lot of snark if you're able to convey vulnerability.

Jason Bateman
If you're stumbling out of a bar, and people tweet about it, well, don't be dumb. If you're going to get falling-down drunk, stay at home - which I did a lot of.

If you're stumbling out of a bar, and people tweet about it, well, don't be dumb. If you're going to get falling-down drunk, stay at home - which I did a lot of.

Jason Bateman
I don't feel sorry for people in the public eye getting eyed by the public.

I don't feel sorry for people in the public eye getting eyed by the public.

Jason Bateman
People still come up to me and say, 'Hey, 'Teen Wolf!' 'Teen Wolf Too' closed a week after it opened. Where did they see it?

People still come up to me and say, 'Hey, 'Teen Wolf!' 'Teen Wolf Too' closed a week after it opened. Where did they see it?

Jason Bateman
Acting has always been very comfortable for me, so it allows me to pay attention to other parts of the process literally while I'm acting.

Acting has always been very comfortable for me, so it allows me to pay attention to other parts of the process literally while I'm acting.

Jason Bateman
I looked around at the relationships that were the longest in my life, and they were the ones I had with my friends. I thought, 'If I only wanted to get married once, I should probably marry a friend.'

I looked around at the relationships that were the longest in my life, and they were the ones I had with my friends. I thought, 'If I only wanted to get married once, I should probably marry a friend.'

Jason Bateman
My father was a freelance writer/director/producer, and my mother was a stewardess for Pan-Am. It was very non-traditional.

My father was a freelance writer/director/producer, and my mother was a stewardess for Pan-Am. It was very non-traditional.

Jason Bateman
I was never at a place where rehab would have been appropriate.

I was never at a place where rehab would have been appropriate.

Jason Bateman
Our job as actors is to just try to be as accurate and as mindful of what the audience is going through and receiving and processing.

Our job as actors is to just try to be as accurate and as mindful of what the audience is going through and receiving and processing.

Jason Bateman
It was like 'Risky Business' for 10 years. My parents were out of town, they left me a bunch of money, the car, and the house, and I didn't know when they were coming home.

It was like 'Risky Business' for 10 years. My parents were out of town, they left me a bunch of money, the car, and the house, and I didn't know when they were coming home.

Jason Bateman
My sense of humor lies a little closer to the middle.

My sense of humor lies a little closer to the middle.

Jason Bateman
The comedy community is very friendly right now. I think that's why you see all the synergy and people doing each other's movies.

The comedy community is very friendly right now. I think that's why you see all the synergy and people doing each other's movies.

Jason Bateman
I only wanted to get married once, so when I felt I was ready to handle it, I looked at my relationships and noticed that boyfriends get tired of girlfriends, and vice versa, but you never get tired of your friends.

I only wanted to get married once, so when I felt I was ready to handle it, I looked at my relationships and noticed that boyfriends get tired of girlfriends, and vice versa, but you never get tired of your friends.

Jason Bateman
I think anybody who's doing work in their teen years on TV or in the movies, you're a teen idol by default.

I think anybody who's doing work in their teen years on TV or in the movies, you're a teen idol by default.

Jason Bateman
Jennifer Aniston and I have always just really gotten along well... I was just fortunate to be a good fit for parts in her films.

Jennifer Aniston and I have always just really gotten along well... I was just fortunate to be a good fit for parts in her films.

Jason Bateman
I really enjoy playing that everyman part because that part is us, the audience. And you need somebody inside a comedy to tether the absurdity to reality.

I really enjoy playing that everyman part because that part is us, the audience. And you need somebody inside a comedy to tether the absurdity to reality.

Jason Bateman
Things are going better now than ever, but in 24 months? I could be hearing crickets.

Things are going better now than ever, but in 24 months? I could be hearing crickets.

Jason Bateman