Anne Heche’s ex James Tupper experiences ‘great joy and pride’ in Son Atlas

Anne Heche‘s ex-boyfriend James Tupper enjoying every day with their son Atlas, especially as he enters his teenage years.

“I love being a father. It’s my No. 1 thing,” Tupper, 58, shared exclusively We weekly while attending the Hollywood Christmas Parade in support of Marine Toys for Tots on Sunday, December 1. “I am very happy and proud of the way he is growing.”

Tupper said Atlas, 14, has achieved many milestones in his young life so far, including becoming a “straight college student” and learning how to be a “great tennis player.”

“He is an advanced junior tennis player and he hopes to go to college or even pro,” says the Big little lies said actor. “So he has a lot of great things going for him and just to see him do all that – stand up for himself and fight – it’s incredible.”

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Atlas, for his part, also talked about what a great father Tupper is.

“He really does everything. There’s no sugar coating it. He is everything to me,” the teenager said Us. “I wouldn’t be where I am now at all [without him] — [he] drives me everywhere, feeds me. There’s nothing he doesn’t do that I don’t like. I really love him very much.”

Tupper became a father in 2009 when he and Heche welcomed Atlas into the world. The couple dated from 2009 to 2018. Heche, who died in August 2022 at the age of 53, was also mother to son Homer, 22, whom she shared with her ex-husband. Coleman Laffoon.

Heche died unexpectedly two years ago after accidentally driving her car into a home in Los Angeles, resulting in a fire. While the actress was initially in stable condition, she later fell into a coma. Shortly afterwards, Heche’s family announced that they would be taking the actress off life support, after which she was declared legally deceased. Heche’s official cause of death was due to smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.

At the time of her death, Heche had no will – Tupper was involved in a legal battle with Heche’s eldest son over her estate and finances. Us confirmed in November 2022 that Homer was appointed general manager of his mother’s estate.

As Tupper and Atlas continue to process their grief, they are committed to honoring Heche.

“We have experienced a great loss, and the gift of Anne’s life with us is incredible, and her memories are very dear to us.” Tupper said Us on Sunday. “We celebrate her every year, every Christmas, every birthday.”

Tupper and Atlas decided to get into the spirit of the season by participating in several themed activities during the holidays, including attending the Hollywood Christmas Parade,

“I just really enjoyed it,” Tupper said of the event. “We recently got a tree and we all put it up and we immediately got into the holiday spirit. I don’t know why [we did it] So early this year, but we have been shopping for people and teaching my son that giving is more important than receiving.”

The Hollywood Christmas Parade airs Saturday, December 14 on The CW Network at 8pm ET.

With reporting by Mike Vulpo