In a world where looking young seems to be a top priority, especially in Hollywood, actress and filmmaker Justine Bateman is taking a different path. While many celebrities chase after the latest beauty treatments and plastic surgeries, Bateman is confidently choosing to age just as she is—naturally and proudly.
Best known for her role as Mallory on the hit ‘80s sitcom Family Ties, Justine Bateman has had a long and varied career in television and film. She’s also the sister of fellow actor Jason Bateman. Over the years, she’s taken on roles in shows like Desperate Housewives and Men Behaving Badly, and more recently has stepped behind the camera as a writer and director.
Now 57, Bateman has made headlines for openly rejecting the pressure to get cosmetic work done. In a candid interview with 60 Minutes Australia, she said, “I just don’t give a s—. I think I look rad. I think my face represents who I am. I like it.” Her words are both bold and refreshing in an industry obsessed with youth.
She explained that her appearance tells a story—it shows growth, change, and the passage of time. “I like looking in the mirror and seeing that evidence,” she said, noting that it reminds her she’s not the same person she was at 20, and she’s proud of that transformation.
Despite her confidence, Bateman hasn’t been immune to the harsh criticism that often targets women in the public eye. She began receiving negative comments about her looks when she turned 40. Strangers on the internet compared her face to offensive terms like “sea hag” or “meth addict,” pressuring her to consider cosmetic procedures. At one point, the criticism got to her. She told People magazine in 2021 that those hurtful comments made her feel ashamed of her appearance, even though she had always thought her face looked just fine.
But instead of giving in, Bateman took a step back and reflected. She realized that changing her face wouldn’t fix the deeper insecurities or fears she was dealing with. “You’re not going to make that fear go away by changing your face,” she said, adding that many people turn to plastic surgery simply to please others, not themselves.
Her decision to stay natural is also part of a larger message she’s trying to spread. In her book Face: One Square Foot of Skin, she dives into the pressures women face around aging and appearance. Bateman says it saddens her to see so many women caught up in the idea that they have to “fix” their faces before they can truly live their lives. She wishes more people could feel free from those expectations and instead focus on what truly matters.
“I feel sad that they’re not just enjoying life,” she said. “They’re distracted from the things they’re meant to do in life with this consuming idea that they’ve got to fix their face before anything else can happen.”
Justine Bateman’s stance is inspiring. In a culture that often makes people—especially women—feel like they’re only valuable if they look young, her message cuts through the noise. She reminds us that beauty isn’t defined by smooth skin or wrinkle-free faces, but by confidence, authenticity, and the stories we carry with us.
By refusing to conform, she’s giving others permission to do the same. And in doing so, she’s helping to redefine what aging looks like in Hollywood—and beyond.
