American crime thriller, Black Rabbit dropped on Netflix on Thursday, September 18, 2025. The eight-episode series by Baylin and Kate Susman impressed viewers with its gripping plot and impressive performance of its cast. Leading man, Jason Bateman, has been receiving praise for his portrayal of ‘Vince’, an ex-addict struggling to find a way to improve his life. Amid the online buzz surrounding Jason’s rugged character in the series, here’s a look at his sweet love story with his wife, Amanda Anka.
Who is Amanda Anka, Jason Bateman’s friend and spouse?
Amanda Anka is an actress and producer, and the wife of actor, Jason Bateman. She is also the second daughter of legendary singer-songwriter Paul Anka and his first wife, model Anne de Zogheb. Born in New York City, USA, on December 10, 1968, she is currently 56 years old. Like her husband, Jason, Amanda Anka made notable contributions to the entertainment industry through her memorable performances. She made her acting debut in 1991 with the TV movie, Frankenstein: The College Years, a role that marked the beginning of her career in film and television.
She was then seen in notable movies such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) and Lost Highway (1997). She also appeared in the popular TV series, Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990) and films such as Cherry Falls (2001) and Taxi (2004). She has since transitioned to production and worked with her close friend, Jennifer Aniston, as a co-producer on Apple TV+’s The Morning Show.
How did Amanda Anka and Jason Bateman turn from friends to lovers?
Jason Bateman and Amanda Anka’s relationship can be considered a classic example of ‘star-crossed lovers’. The duo formed a special friendship during their teenage years, which lasted for a decade before blossoming into a romantic relationship. They first met in 1987 at a Los Angeles Kings hockey game and instantly felt a connection. They established a long-lasting bond that lasted ten years and remained platonic friends throughout that period. They were not really romantically interested in each other back then.
Talking about it with GQ magazine in 2013, Amanda said she ‘just wasn’t into where he was at’ regarding relationships. It was Jason’s young ‘party boy’ years, and he didn’t want to get tied down in any serious relationship. Amanda had a different mentality, and she wasn’t interested in the kind of life Jason led. After his lifestyle changed and he matured, she finally saw him in a different light, and they started dating around 1998.
Jason Bateman and Amanda Anka got married after about three years of dating
Jason Bateman and Amanda Anka tied the knot on July 3, 2001, and their marriage has endured for 24 years as of 2025. Their over two decades of spousal life were marked by love, trust, friendship and mutual understanding. Jason wanted to marry a friend because it makes it easier to be with them, regardless of one’s mood. He shared with The Daily Telegraph that Amanda was the only friend he could picture himself spending his life with. He mentioned:
“I thought, if I only wanted to get married once, I should probably marry a friend. I wanted to marry somebody who wasn’t someone I had to be in any particular mood to want to be around. With close friends, you can be with them no matter what mood you’re in. Just waited until I found a girl that really was that in my life. Amanda is, and that’s why it feels so effortless.”
Jason Bateman and Amanda Anka’s family grew with two more members
Jason Bateman and Amanda Anka became parents for the first time when they welcomed daughter, Francesca Nora Bateman, who was born on October 28, 2006. They had their second daughter, Maple Sylvie Bateman, on February 10, 2012. Amanda intentionally slowed her acting career to raise their children, as Jason shared during a 2013 GQ interview. He said her passion for acting ‘waned a bit’ as she focused on family, leading to her career shift into producing.
What are your thoughts on Jason Bateman and Amanda Anka’s friends-to-spouses relationship? Let us know.
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