Was Jason Bateman on ‘Little House on the Prairie’? His Character’s Episode Arc Explained

It’s hard to believe there was a time when Jason Bateman was a newcomer to show business, but the actor best known for his roles in Ozark, Juno and Arrested Development, got his start in television acting as a child.

Was Jason Bateman in ‘Little House on the Prairie’?

Yes, Jason was in Little House on the Prairie. He made his debut on the show at age 11, playing James Cooper Ingalls, the adopted son of Charles Ingalls.

When Did Jason Bateman Make His ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Debut?

Jason first appeared on the show in the seventh season as James, a young boy who tragically loses his parents in a carriage accident. Eventually, he and his sister Cassandra (played by Melissa Francis) are adopted by Charles and Caroline Ingalls and made part of their pioneer family.

Over the course of 21 episodes, there are heartwarming family moments as well as big drama — Jason’s character gets caught in a bear trap and survives being shot in a bank robbery. The actor remained with the beloved historical series, based on the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, until it went off the air.

Jason Bateman Reflects on ‘Little House on the Prairie’

Jason remembers his time on Little House very fondly. “The way in which everybody functioned was very familial. It was a warm place,” he told Variety, adding that he learned a lot from Little House’s creator and star. “Michael Landon was somebody who had a huge influence on me in the way he led that set as a director, as an exec producer, as a writer and actor and as somewhat of a father figure for me. He was the George Clooney of that time: The crew loved him, the industry loved him, guys wanted to be him and women wanted to be with him.”

Jason Bateman’s Other Projects

The actor, who would go on to direct episodes of Arrested Development and Ozark as well as feature films including 2014’s The Family Fang, admits that his passion for filmmaking was ignited during his early years on Little House.

“I was starting to really notice what this magic trick is of making fake life,” he said on SirusXM’s Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend. “We all look through the paper towel tube when you’re a kid … And outside that tunnel, it’s stuff you can’t see, the microphone and the lights and all that stuff. And so just inside that tube needs to be pristine.”

Even as a child he knew that directing was in his future. “I was always sort of tracking [directing] and wanting to do it,” he said. “I was paying attention to it on every set I was on after Little House.”

Jason would later become better known as a comedy actor. He starred on the television series Valerie, which would be renamed The Hogan Family, from 1986 to 1991. He followed it up with five seasons on the cult classic Arrested Development. No matter how successful he’s become, he’s never forgotten the example Michael set for him when he was a child actor.

“Watching him juggle all those balls and be this leader and presence on a set and be kind with people,” he said, “but also be kind of a stern boss if he needs to, that was pretty inspirational.”