Justine Bateman is an actress, director, and author. She rose to fame on the 80s sitcom Family Ties as the flighty Mallory. She and Michael J Fox played beautifully off each other as mismatched siblings. She’s done a lot of other things but she also had a funny arc with her real life brother Jason on Arrested Development. I like Justine, whenever I catch her work, she’s consistent. She’s also 57 years old, so just a few years older than me (I believe I have mentioned – many times – that Jason is my birthday twin). Justine has made the un-Hollywood decision to not do any work on her face. No fillers, surgery or Botox. She said she did consider it once upon a time, but ultimately decided against it. As a result, she looks like… a 57-year-old woman. And a lovely 57-year-old woman at that. Justine talked about that to 60 Minutes Australia. She said her face “represents who I am. I am a different person,” and to alter it would erase that “evidence.”
Justine Bateman says confidence in your image should grow as you age, not diminish.
The director, author and actress who shot to fame in the 1982 sitcom Family Ties wants to share her body-positive message with anyone who needs to hear it.
Speaking with 60 Minutes Australia, the 57-year-old said she has heard people criticize her natural appearance and had a simple message for them: “I just don’t give a s—. I think I look rad. I think my face represents who I am. I like it.”
Bateman admits she has in the past thought about things like botox and fillers. But the actor-turned-director’s realization was that these procedures could take away something that was far more important than what they could give her.
“I feel like I would erase, not only all my authority that I have now, but also, I like feeling that I am a different person now than I was when I was 20,” she said, adding “I like looking in the mirror and seeing that evidence.”
When Justine Bateman was in her early 40s and writing her first book Fame: The Hijacking of Reality, she remembers Googling herself and finding the autocomplete: “looks old.” Justine Bateman looks old.
She then looked at the photos presented as “evidence.”
“I thought my face looked fine,” told PEOPLE in 2021 ahead of the release of her book Face: One Square Foot of Skin. “Because of some of the fears I had, unrelated to my face, I decided to make them right and me wrong… I became really ashamed of my face, ridiculously so.”
“I like looking in the mirror and seeing that evidence.” I’ve often referred to the lines on my face as my life’s roadmap. There’s a journey that led us to this moment and it took time. I think Justine’s point about not being the same person as she was at 20 is an important one. I don’t dislike 20-year-old me, but I am much more confident, happy and empowered now. So I applaud 20-year-old Hecate and all she endured to get 50+-year-old Hecate to this point, but they’re different people and yes, I’m okay with them looking different to showcase that.
Justine spoke of autocomplete cluing her in to people saying she looked old. I’ve seen a few outlets covering this story, seemingly sympathetic to her and her stance that she should be able to go forth in life as she wants (how brave for a woman!) They even give half-hearted uh-rahs! to Justine saying she thinks she looks “rad” (shout out to a fellow Gen Xer who won’t give up the lingo). And yet all of these G-D stories are running with “Justine Bateman Defends Her Decision to Age Naturally.” No. We are not defending anything. We are forced to explain something we shouldn’t have to. The implied biased of the media saying it’s an act that needs defending is why women are scared to look in the mirror in the first place. Get plastic surgery, don’t get plastic surgery. Lose weight, don’t lose weight. Dye your hair, let it go grey – just age the way you want. Because I am sure, beyond a shadow of doubt, you’ve earned it. And you sure as hell do not need to defend it.
Photo credit: Instagram and Getty Images
She looks great! Glad she hasn’t done things to her face. Beautiful woman.
She’s seriously gorgeous! Leave my Mallory alone, people!
Love her. Love her face. Love the word ‘rad’ and am going to use it all day tomorrow
I don’t give a sh-t either. This is me, and I’m proud to still be here. Take it or leave it!
Same.
Also, I will go to my grave thinking laugh lines are one of the sexiest things on Earth.
When I saw this on the original site where it was first posted, I cheered in my heart. She is beautiful and that comes through. If we age naturally, I think we look more on the outside the way we do inside (Kellyanne Conway v. Justine Bateman). My wrinkles and sad, scrawny hair ( I was always having a bad hair life, but the 63-year-old face is really highlighting that reality) are might not live up to socially acceptable standards for some, but if my aging face is your only benchmark for whether you want to engage with me, you’re probably not worth the time. From now forward in any appearance-related aging insecurity moment, Justine rides shotgun.
I love this Amy! The idea of as we age we look more on the outside as we are on the inside. The faces we have in our youth are gifted to us, but the faces we have when we are older are the faces we’ve earned. 😊
“…if my aging face is your only benchmark for whether you want to engage with me, you’re probably not worth the time.” Best comment I’ve ever read on this website 🙌. Will carry this as my mantra!
Me too, you are starting a movement, Amy.
Aww, you guys. Thanks!
Beautifully said, Amy.
This is so true AmyT. I remember being SO self conscious in middle school, because I was a girl and one of the 5 tallest people in my school, and not a willowy model tall, more Irish farmwife tall.
But eventually I realized, if you don’t like me cause I’m tall you probably weren’t going to like me anyways. It’s a filter that makes my life easier.
Same.
I don’t get the fear of looking like…you’ve been laughing?
Have had more than one facial expression your entire life?
People are strange.
I don’t mind my wrinkles. It’s the jowly bits on my lower face and neck I can do without.
@Dss I’m 58 and with you on that one…hate it!
57. Face yoga! I tightened my neck/under-chin with it, but it loosens quickly if you don’t continue. It also made my chin pointier like it used to be. Now if I could only do something about the bags under my eyes, lol. I see Il Makiage has a tightening serum…
Don’t get Botox. Get a friendly mirror.
hahahhah love it
And don’t forget good lighting!! And when taking photos: chin down slightly, and eyes up..and NEVER let anyone shoot you from below…
I don’t have an issue with Botox just don’t know if I can invest in the upkeep. I think you’re supposed to get it like 2/3 times a year.
Same. I’m 40 and lots of my friends are getting it – I’ve asked curious questions about upkeep and you’re right they all say it’s like 2-3 times per year at $500-$600 each time (for them). So over $1500/year on chemicals needled into your face. I can’t help but think about the vacations or dinners out I could be spending that money on. It’s like society wants women to spend all of our money on beauty upkeep and nothing else that actually leads to a fulfilling, rich life.
Agreed.
I’m in my early 50s and while my skin looks pretty good, I’ve got friends whose skin looks incredible – but I can’t justify the expense or the time. I’m happy to do whatever I can at home (lots of sunscreen and retinols), but I don’t have the energy or desire to spend that much time in a spa or doctor’s office.
When I saw my little pre-wrinkle wrinkle I went to the doctor to fix it! Admittedly, I was the only young person there. The nurse was like, you absolutely did the right thing. She had so much botox her face was stiff-shiny-plastic and that scared me. I go for the bit between my eyebrows every six months or so and that’s all I want. Maybe when I’m fifty-seven I won’t care too
I feel like the square inch between the eyebrows is “different.” I explained to my husband, I just don’t want to look like I’m mad until I’m actually mad, because it does change how people respond to you, you know? And yeah, it IS different for men, but for work reasons I want my face to read as “approachable.”
Family Ties reruns seem to be on all the time lately, and that show was SO HILARIOUS and Justine was always fantastic with such good comedic timing. I love her.
This sounds like a humble brag, but I really was annoyed and upset when it happened. I had a really weird experience at work last year when we were all out to dinner (CEO included) and somebody asked what year I was born and I told them.
Another woman, who was born the same year as me, FREAKED OUT, yelled across the table to tell anyone who didn’t hear how old I was and said she “couldn’t wait” to call everyone who wasn’t there to tell them how old I am.
It was the WEIRDEST thing, and I was pretty upset for a few different reasons (“do I come off immature?” “Have I not accomplished enough?” etc etc etc.)
I vented about it on my social media, and most people agreed how rude and weird she was, but one “friend” goes on a total rant about how being told you look young is ALWAYS the best compliment and I asked her why that was, and if she could explain why it was a compliment in a way that wasn’t sexist or ageist, I’d love to hear it.
I just kept thinking that NOBODY would have reacted to a MAN stating his birth year like that. Nobody would freak out about how great he looks “for his age” and say they were going to call everyone to tell them how old he was. Only women deal with that, and it’s gross.
I’m getting mad again!
So much rudeness directed at you! Why would anybody even ask your birth year? It’s nobody business. I remember years ago reading an interview with Victoria Principal, who was always rumored to be way older than she appeared. To paraphrase, whenever someone asked her age, her response was somewhere between 30 and death. I’ve never been asked, but that is how I woukd answer.
Honestly, when she said “I can’t wait to text everyone who isn’t here and tell them how old you are”…I was just “WHAT? Why? IS THERE NOTHING ELSE TO DISCUSS?????”
@HollyGolightly That part. That reaction (wanting to call everybody and tell them) was waaaay over the top and really weird. She was treating you as if you were some kind of circus freak, Benjamin Button. Is something wrong with her?
My 60-something year-old cousin told my 85 year-old mother that she “looked good” for her age…to which my mother replied, “Sweetie, I look good for YOUR age”. Your co-workers ageism isn’t your problem…it’s hers.
THANK you. “You look good for your age” isn’t remotely a compliment! The fact that people think it is is very weird to me.
I just celebrated my 40th birthday and when people I guess a few years younger than me asked the number and I told them I dreaded the inevitable gasp of horror at turning such an age and then the immediate examination of my face and the “you don’t look 40” or some variation of that. Like, thanks? I didn’t need to be reassured.
I’m a middle school librarian and I just turned 40. Some students asked me my age – some said I didn’t look that old (lol, 40 is 100 to a tween), others were in SHOCK that I revealed my age and that I was ok with them knowing that info. Either you’re getting older or you’re dead – I much prefer the privilege of getting old.
While I understand your sentiment that women are always constantly being age assessed and judged on their sexual desirability — I think it’s changing for men as well. They have become a lot more health and look conscience. Purely anecdotal, but my husband is 20 years my senior. As I approach 40 I’m starting to notice little differences in my face and body. He however, looks fabulous for his age. No one bats an eye at our age difference because they think he’s at least 15 yrs younger. Whenever people generalize his age and we correct them, they are shocked! They even demand to see proof, literally tell every one around them and demand to know what he’s doing. Which is nothing! He just hit the genetic lottery. Its just a by product of a youth obsessed society, male or female.
Omg when I first saw this pic I thought it was Jason Bateman and that he’d grown his hair out and stuff. I was like what the heck! Whew! Didn’t know he had a sister but she looks just like him, wow!
I think she looks great and shouldn’t change a thing. She probably does look *a little* older than her age, but she was a smoker for awhile, and that can impact your skin.
I get not wanting surgery since people just end up looking weird but what’s wrong with having a skin care regimen to moisturize and tighten your skin. She has lovely hair but my 80 year old relatives have better skin and less lines. She must be a smoker or something.
She looks good, I don’t know why people are like this. It’s such a waste of time. I think there are a few reasons why people think she looks “old” aside from the untouched face. First of all, it seems like that 80s show is what she’s most famous for? It might be that people haven’t seen her in decades so yeah, sure, she looks older than that girl. Also, and this is something I’ve discovered to my dismay, there’s an age where you may need to be a little more careful with makeup. And before everyone screams “She can do whatever she wants!”, yes, she can. But a harsh black liner will not be super flattering once you get some lines around your eyes. If you just love the look, that’s great. But it won’t be super flattering. Eyebrows are also a factor. I’m just saying this because I think she actually does not look old at all, it’s just the styling.
More power to ya!
As an almost 53-year-old that still uses this word in constant rotation (along with dude and hella), I love that she used rad. She does look rad!!!
girl crush or should i say woman?
I’m 52 and I am not loving the effects aging is having on me. I wish I felt more like Justine, but if I am being honest, I don’t. It actually enrages me that she has what is the healthiest attitude
possible, and people are expecting her to DEFEND it. There is just no winning… do all the plastic surgery etc, and defend that. Don’t do it, and get attacked for that too.
It’s my chin/neck area that really bother me, and nothing short of surgery is going to help that. I am not in a position financially to opt for plastic surgery to do anything about it. Maybe if I was very well off, and the cost would be a drop in the bucket, I would. But it also feels senseless to be so fixated on appearance. I am not a model, not on tv. Does it matter if I have a slightly “hang-y” chin/neck? I am also certain that were I to “fix it”, I would find something else to fixate on. It’s never ending.
I have spent far too much time worrying about this stupid neck business as well. However, I made myself put things in perspective recently by looking at some friends and famous women and thinking to myself, when I look at them, I don’t see a double chin–I see beautiful cheekbones, a gorgeous smile, pretty eyes–we’re always the worst at looking at ourselves critically.
Just food for thought. Be kinder to yourself, emphasize your good features, smile and make good eye contact with people. They’ll see your good points first. And if they are focusing on your “flaws,” f– them.
You said it all right here: “I have spent far too much time worrying about this stupid neck business as well.”
It truly is “stupid neck business”. It’s my neck. There is nothing to be done. When I see older celebs that have a firm neck, they probably had surgery. (Or were born into a ” firm neck gene” family- I was not)
The time we spend worrying about something that doesn’t matter and truly won’t be life changing is just so silly. We do all need to be kind to ourselves. Thank you for the kind words.
Justine Bateman and Christina Applegate were so underrated in their comedic brilliance. I feel like everyone just assumed they were stupid women IRL when they’re both the opposite and were just exceeding good at playing the funny bimbo.
I’ve always liked her. Always thought she was so cool lol. She looks amazing, and I love, “I just don’t give a shit.” I bet she’d be fun to hang out with.
I feel like there’s got to be an advantage at some point to aging naturally. All the other actresses going out for parts are going to start looking more and more identical. I love that she has her own, unique face.
I like Justine and her movement. She’s been talking about this since she has been in her 50s. But…I’ve got questions…Don’t drag me too badly….
If she is so comfortable aging, why not let her grays show as well? I mean she doesn’t have to, of course, but if she is as comfortable with aging as she says, why not? Andie MacDowell is a little older than her but probably has been fully gray since the age Justine is at now.
Why is her brother Justin, whom I also like, seem to be aging more slowly? He is clearly aging, he has lines, but more slowly it seems.
Just an observation, but I’ve noticed alot of actresses, once they reach middle age, choose to keep their weight down and have plastic surgery/botox instead of adding an extra 10-15 pounds to fill out their face. I’d rather the extra 10-15, but then I am a curvy girl.
Look, I think her movement is great. If she feels good, great! She’s not acting anymore so she doesn’t feel pressure to look camera ready. And hopefully she is reaching non-celebrity women as well who feel unduly pressured to fight a battle none of us will win if we live long enough.
Eh. I’m 56. I used to look “young for my age.” But over the last few years, my face has gotten really wrinkly. I’ve done botox and fillers-but not since covid. I even thought about a lower eye lift. But I just don’t think I want to spend the money or the time or the pain, frankly. That said-I hate my grey hair. I look frumpy to myself with it-so I get it colored every 6 weeks.
Not at all disagreeing with yourpoint but as you get past menopause the extra weight you may keep on to fill out your face doesn’t always go where you want it to. Your face sort of begins to slide down with gravity and what you hope might go in cheeks or cheekbones often winds up as jowls…
Re: Jason — men and women tend to age a little differently already, but lifestyle is probably the biggest reason; she was a smoker and I don’t think he was/is.
She may not have any grays. It doesn’t look like her brother has any, either.
I’m someone that I think of as “aging naturally” – never had fillers, botox, or surgery. I do use retinol , moisturizer, and a vitamin c serum, and I do color my hair. To each their own. I have a high forehead and when my grays come in, they’re mostly up front and so it washes me out (I’m very pale) ad makes my forehead look even bigger. And dying my hair is $10 or so each time I do it. I’ve never priced out fillers/botox/surgery, but I imagine that it’s a lot more expensive than my hair dye! And hair dye doesn’t change anything permanently in a way that I think the other things do.
She looks trustworthy and wise, someone I’d like to hang out with!
Love her
I typed “Justine Bateman looks rad” into Google to try to help the algorithm fix itself. 😁
Love her and same. Also my priorities changed when my ra got worse, wrinkles no problem I can walk across the floor with minimal pain and I am quite proud of that and my aging/looks are mine, don’t like it, avert your eyes I’m not phased.
@Sshark_29 — I am curious, what did you do to improve your RA? I suspect I have it in addition to my Fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and dysautonomia plus probably sjorgrens.
Wear your sunscreen, use vitamin c and hyaluronic acid serums in the day and a retinol / retinoid at night. Find a good moisturizer that works for your skin type. You’ll just look like a more “seasoned” version of yourself. That’s what you should want. If you want a little botox, fine, whatever but stay far away from fillers. NO ONE looks good after they”ve had fillers. You just look like a feline version of yourself and it’s terrible.
And drink a lot of water — staying hydrated is so good for your skin. But you know what? Good genes help too. I have 52-year-old friends who look 42, and they’re following pretty much the same routines as the 52-year-olds who look more like 52. But you see their moms and you go, OHHHHHH, that’s where you get that beautiful skin from…
The thing I find amazing about this and the Paulina Porozkova piece connected to it is that if you have been deemed traditionally “beautiful” for most of your younger life (i.e. below 40) then the lack of attention you start getting for aging is radical. I have always been a larger woman (6 feet 1/2 inch tall and considered attractive at times, but never “pretty” or “beautiful”). Very much what Gwendolyn Christie has spoken about. So, being invisible has not been shocking for me. Luckily, my self-esteem has been built on things other than beauty. I love the rebellious attitudes they are rocking now. How powerful it would have been when they were a few decades younger.
She DOES look rad!
“All of these lines across my face tell you the stories of who I am…” Brandi Carlile
She looks fine. And if she’s happy then great. But eat a sandwich. If older women would put on ten pounds then it would fill out your face and neck. Everybody shouldn’t be a double zero dress size.
I’m not sure where all of you are living but where I live 57-year old women do not look like her! She looks much younger to me! She could pass for late 40s easily. Then again I live in a poor country where people spend money on food and utilities. I can’t imagine giving away that much money for something that isn’t health related or endangering me in any way. This Western obsession with pretending time doesn’t exist and getting older is somehow illegal is mind-boggling to me. Like people used to respect the elderly and they were treated as the most revered members of society. Getting older was a good (and lucky) thing. What in hell happened to the world…
Nina Hoss is an example of an absolutely gorgeous mature woman. The lines on her face give her expressions so much depth and character and add to her beauty.
We won’t all appear so beautiful but so what? I’m 40 now and recently read The Skincare Hoax by Dr. Frey. That book has saved me thousands of dollars over the next 20-30 years! So many corporations are benefiting from manipulating us into believing the impossible – that we can prevent aging. The science behind the claims these products make is just not there.
I seem to have genetically come buy some decent skin. I have never smoked either. I have tanned more than I should’ve back in the day but use a high spf daily. As 40 approached, I became really concerned about preserving my skin (ie, preventing it from aging). I did tons of research and spent more money than I should have on different skin care products. Then i ran out of money and time to care. Honestly, my skin looks exactly the same as it did when I was spending more time and effort on it.
I am single, and I would like to get remarried at some point. I actually care about how I look quite a bit and I am somewhat vain. I date. But I decided that I don’t want to spend so much time on my makeup routine and skincare regimen that I am missing out on the rest of life. adopting a basic, carefree skincare and makeup routine has led me to think about my skin and ageing far less. If I do meet someone that I want to be with long-term, I don’t want them to be shocked when they see my morning face.