Despite the numerous decades spent in the industry since he was a child, Jason Bateman is now synonymous with Ozark. After premiering in 2017, the show became one of a kind with its use of dark frames, moral corruption, and greed for power in its plot. And Bateman, who played the role of Martin Byrde after spending an extended amount of time on the hilarious sitcom, Arrested Development, was re-birthed. The show went on for several seasons and despite the gore and violence became a comfort show for the audience. Much like how the cast became a source of comfort for Jason Bateman.

The crime drama met its finale in 2022. And devastated would be an understatement to what millions of its fans felt. It was not an easy departure for the cast either. Spending almost half a decade together, Bateman could not help but buy everyone a special parting gift that would always remind them of their time on Ozark. And no it was not a snow globe.

Jason Bateman splurged on the Ozark cast as they bid farewell

The Arrested Development actor famously accepted the role of Marty not for the well-written script that Bill Dubuque offered but actually for directing. Bateman may have played Marty’s character down to the last morsel but working behind the camera and being in charge of creative decisions is what he was aiming for. This meant that he would buy the cast a gift when the series ended, as revealed by the actor on Jimmy Kimmel Live recently. “I made a shoe for Ozark,” he says.

Bateman in his interview with Kimmel reveals that he got the Ozark cast Converse high-tops “with all the symbols from Ozark from the opening title.” He goes on to say that he paid for them from his own pocket.

It is truly a shame that the cast did not post a matching Converse picture on their social media handles, but there is no doubt that they must have loved it, except the one member wearing size 11 that put up their shoes for sale.

Is the cast of Ozark friends?

It is natural to assume that actors who work together for a long time on set often go on to become the best of friends. While this is mostly the case, once in a while there emerges a Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman on Kramer vs Kramer or a Lea Michele and Nia Rivera on Glee.

Thankfully, despite the complex equations that the Ozark cast shared on screen they formed a great bond off the screen. Especially Bateman, who has found a special place in everyone’s heart be it, Julia Garner or Laura Linney.

What do you think of the thoughtful gift Bateman gave his cast and crew members? Let us know in the comments below.