If you’ve spent any time watching The Other Two or more recently, the Netflix basketball comedy Running Point, you’ve likely had a moment where you paused the TV and thought, "Wait, is that a young Jason Bateman?"
The resemblance is, quite frankly, uncanny. It isn't just the face, either. It’s the vibe. The dry, slightly exhausted delivery. The way he reacts to chaos with a "dead inside" stare that feels like it was ripped straight out of the Michael Bluth playbook. Naturally, the internet has been spiraling. Fans on Reddit and X are convinced there’s a secret Hollywood lineage here.
So, let's settle it. Is Drew Tarver related to Jason Bateman? The short answer: No. They aren't related at all. Not as father and son, not as brothers, and not even as distant cousins who see each other once a decade at a family reunion in the Midwest.
The Mystery of the "Temu Jason Bateman"
It’s a bit of a running gag at this point. People have started calling Drew Tarver "the Temu version of Jason Bateman," which feels a little mean considering how incredibly talented Tarver is in his own right. But the comparison is hard to shake.
Drew Tarver was born in Glennville, Georgia—a tiny town where his family famously owned a candy factory. Jason Bateman, on the other hand, is a New York native who grew up in the industry as a child star. Their paths didn't cross until they were both working actors in Los Angeles.
The reason the "related" rumors persist is mostly due to Tarver’s performance style. In The Other Two, he plays Cary Dubek, a struggling actor who is constantly overshadowed by his younger brother’s sudden TikTok fame. Tarver plays the "straight man" in a world of lunatics so well that he naturally evokes the spirit of Bateman’s work in Arrested Development.
Different Families, Same Energy
To really put the "is Drew Tarver related to Jason Bateman" theory to bed, you just have to look at their actual families.
- Jason Bateman's sister: We all know Justine Bateman. She was Mallory Keaton on Family Ties and is a powerhouse filmmaker now.
- Drew Tarver's sister: He also has a famous sister! But it’s Katelyn Tarver, the singer and actress known for Big Time Rush and her hit song "You Don't Know."
It’s actually a funny coincidence that both men have sisters who found fame in the industry, which only adds fuel to the fire for people looking for a connection. Drew has often joked about how he and Katelyn have a similar dynamic to the characters in The Other Two, where one sibling’s success casts a long shadow over the other.
Why Do They Look So Much Alike?
Genetics are weird. Sometimes two people just share a similar bone structure and a penchant for "active listening" on camera.
If you look at side-by-side photos from when Jason Bateman was in his late 20s or early 30s—around the Silver Spoons or early Arrested Development era—the similarities are wild. They share a specific "everyman" quality. They both have that slightly mischievous but ultimately grounded energy that makes them perfect for sitcoms.
Interestingly, Drew Tarver has addressed the comparisons before. He’s aware of it. In interviews, he’s mentioned that people constantly bring it up. While he hasn't officially been cast as Bateman’s son in a project yet, fans are practically begging for it. Can you imagine a movie where Jason Bateman plays a retired suburban dad and Drew Tarver plays his high-strung son? It would be a casting director’s easiest day at the office.
Where You've Seen Drew Tarver (Besides the Comparisons)
If you’re still convinced he must be a Bateman, you might just be recognizing his very distinct comedic voice. Tarver didn't get his start in the shadow of a famous actor; he ground it out in the Los Angeles improv scene.
- UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade): This is where he really honed that "Bateman-esque" timing.
- The Other Two: His breakout role as Cary Dubek. If you haven’t watched it, do it. It’s one of the sharpest comedies of the last decade.
- Running Point: His 2025/2026 Netflix series alongside Kate Hudson. He plays a "villainous" gay brother, and yes, the Bateman comparisons reached an all-time high when this premiered.
- Bajillion Dollar Propertie$: A parody of real estate reality shows where he played Andrew Wright.
The Verdict on the Connection
Honestly, it’s just a case of Hollywood doppelgängers. In an industry that often casts based on "types," Drew Tarver has naturally filled the niche that Jason Bateman occupied for years: the relatable, dry, slightly cynical lead who you can’t help but root for.
They aren't "blood," but they are definitely part of the same "comedic lineage."
If you’re a fan of one, you’re almost guaranteed to love the other. Instead of looking for a birth certificate that doesn't exist, the best move is to just enjoy the fact that we have two actors who can deliver a sarcastic one-liner with that much precision.
What to Watch Next
If you want to see the "resemblance" in action for yourself, here is your homework:
- Watch Season 1, Episode 1 of The Other Two.
- Immediately follow it with an episode of Arrested Development.
- Try to tell me they aren't spiritual twins. You can't.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into Drew Tarver’s actual world, go check out his sister Katelyn’s music or find his old episodes of the Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast. He’s a different kind of performer—wilder, more prone to absurd characters—once he steps outside of the "straight man" roles that invite the Bateman comparisons.
Stop searching for the family tree. It isn't there. Just enjoy the glitch in the matrix.