Conan O’Brien blames Jason Bateman for parents’ death

Conan O’Brien used his trademark dark humor to get through one of the most heartbreaking times of his life, losing both his parents just days apart in December 2024.

The late-night icon revealed he pulled it off by jokingly blaming his longtime friend Jason Bateman for the losses.

During his December 8 episode Conan O’Brien needs a friend podcast, O’Brien and fellow actors Will Arnett and Jason Bateman talked about how running helped the comedian stay alive while grieving.

Arnett recalled being contacted shortly after O’Brien’s father died on December 9, 2024.

He sent a heartfelt message expressing his condolences. O’Brien’s response took an unexpected turn, “Thank you Will, to be honest I blame Bateman.”

Arnett couldn’t help but lean into the joke. He replied that the theory wasn’t entirely impossible, sparking more playful banter.

O’Brien then delivered a line he says his father would have loved: “Kill my daddy.”

Bateman also jumped on the joke.

As Arnett recalled, the next day Bateman texted O’Brien, writing, “Arnett tells me you’re onto me.” O’Brien’s response was perfectly typical: “Bateman, do yourself a favor, give yourself up.”

The sadness met with laughter did not end there.

Just three days after his father’s death, O’Brien’s mother, Ruthe Reardon, also died aged 92. And just like that, the piece continued.

Arnett texted O’Brien again, teasing that Bateman was now looking for his sister’s address and asking if it was okay to share it. O’Brien sent one and added that Bateman should “make it look like a robbery.”

“I swear to God, I’m so sorry,” the comedian admitted on his show.

O’Brien explained that he really didn’t know if comedy would feel good again after such sudden losses, but sharing jokes with friends helped him find solace when it all seemed too much.

To him, keeping a sense of humor wasn’t disrespect, it was survival.

“It just was. And if that makes me crazy, then so be it,” he said.

The conversation offered a rare look at how the beloved host processed a personal tragedy while staying true to the comedic spirit that has defined his career.