Anne Heche's Youngest Son Atlas Gives First Public Comment Since Her Passing
By Afouda Bamidele on January 26, 2023 at 11:30 AM EST
Anne Heche's youngest son, Atlas Tupper, has publicly spoken for the first time since her death.
The actress, who died after suffering injuries from a car crash last August, shares the 13-year-old with her "Men in Trees" co-star, James Tupper. Although the pair first met in 2006 on the set of the television drama, it was not an immediate love match.
As it turned out, Heche married Coleman "Coley" Laffoon, with whom she shares her first son, Homer Heche Laffoon. The late blonde eventually split from Laffoon and began a relationship with James after filing for a divorce.
James & Atlas Tupper Laud The Late Anne Heche In A Statement Months After Her Death
In the months after her passing, Heche's family has been in the limelight for their legal battle over her estate. However, the opposite was the case when James and their son spoke candidly about their feelings for her recently.
"My mom was the brightest person I've ever known. She always knew how to solve a problem or help a friend. She always knew the right thing to do. I cannot put into words how grateful I am or how much I miss her," Atlas had exclusively told The Los Angeles Inquisitor, with his dad chiming:
"Anne and I were together for more than a decade, we have a beautiful son together and in that time, she was the very definition of light in our lives, always bringing fun, love and energy. She will always be remembered in our hearts and minds."
Upon reading James' message about his ex, it would be hard for many to reconcile him with the same man locked in a legal fight with Homer over Heche's estate last year.
The Blast shared that the "Revenge" actor had filed a petition objecting to the 20-year-old's appeal to "expand his authority" over his mother's property. In the docs, James claimed that Homer "has acted in a hostile manner" towards Atlas, refusing to communicate with him or his reps.
Further alleging that "Atlas has no confidence in [Homer] 's ability to meet his fiduciary obligations to Atlas," the "My Christmas Family Tree" star explained that Heche's son had not cataloged his mother's belongings before placing them in a storage facility.
The docs added that the "Mid-Love Crisis" actor would prefer to have the bond, which Homer previously requested, set at $2 million, not $800,000. His attorney — Christopher B. Johnson — argued that Homer already possessed the powers to do some of the things he was asking the court for, noting that it hinted at his incompetence and inability "to preserve estate assets."
Heche's Eldest Son Unveiled The Cover Of Her Soon-To-Be Released Memoir
Homer had recently warmed the hearts of his mother's followers when he unveiled the cover for her upcoming tell-all book, "Call Me Anne." The Blast reported at the time that the young man's post also came with a heartfelt message, appreciating Heche's fans for the outpour of support and love he had received in the wake of her death.
Homer stated that "the amount of love, care and support" from fans - on social media and in real life - had been "overwhelming and blessedly received." "One day at a time is working for me, as I'm sure the healing journey will be a long one. Your good thoughts and well wishes will continue to comfort me on my path," he added.
He explained that since he was updating fans through his late mother's account, he was responsible for telling them about her projects and just how thrilled she would have been to tell them herself. Adding that the memoir was "the product" of the actress's efforts to share her story and to help others as much as she could, the Los Angeles native disclosed:
"Call Me Anne is the result, and I know she was excited to share with the world. So, mom, here I am sharing it with the community you created, may it flourish and take on a life of it's [SIC] own, as you would have wanted."
Homer then shared that there would be a celebration of life event holding later in the month at the Barnes & Noble bookstore located at The Grove in Hollywood. The post received thousands of likes and comments from Heche's fanbase.