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Anne Heche’s ex-boyfriend James Tupper is enjoying every day with their son Atlas, especially as he enters teenagehood.
“I love being a dad. It’s my No. 1 thing,” Tupper, 58, exclusively told Us Weekly while attending The Hollywood Christmas Parade supporting Marine Toys for Tots on Sunday, December 1. “I take great joy and pride in the way that he’s growing.”
Tupper gushed that Atlas, 14, has achieved many milestones so far in his young life, including managing to become “straight A student” and learning how to be a “great tennis player.”
“He’s an advanced junior tennis player, and he’s hoping to go into university or even pro,” the Big Little Lies actor said. “So he’s got a lot of great things going for him and just to watch him do all that — stand up for himself and fight — it’s unbelievable.”
Atlas, for his part, also gushed about what a great dad Tupper is.
“He really does everything. There’s no sugar coating. He’s everything to me,” the teen told Us. “I wouldn’t be where I am 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 to the world. The pair dated from 2009 to 2018. Heche, who died in August 2022 at age 53, was also mother of son Homer, 22, whom she shared with ex-husband Coleman Laffoon.
Heche unexpectedly died two years ago after she accidentally drove her car into a Los Angeles residence, resulting in a fire. While the actress was initially in stable condition, she later fell into a coma. Shortly after, Heche’s family announced they were taking the actress off life support, at which point she was legally declared deceased. Heche’s official cause of death was determined to be due to inhalation of smoke and thermal injuries.
At the time of her death, Heche did not have a will — Tupper engaged in a legal battle with Heche’s eldest son over her estate and finances. Us confirmed in November 2022 that Homer was named the general administrator of his mom’s estate.
As Tupper and Atlas have continued to process their grief, they are dedicated to honoring Heche.
“We experienced a great loss, and the gift of Anne’s life with us is unbelievable, and her memories we hold very dear.” Tupper told 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 engaging in several holiday theme activities, including attending the Hollywood Christmas parade,
“I just thought it was really fun,” Tupper said of the event. “We got a tree recently, and we set it all up and we got right into that holiday spirit. I don’t know why [we did it] so early this year, but we’ve 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 8 p.m. ET.
With reporting by Mike Vulpo
