Anne Heche’s ex-husband James Tupper opened up about how he and their 14-year-old son Atlas are coping after the actress’s death in August.
The 57-year-old actor told People magazine he and Atlas have been leaning on each other after the “Six Days, Seven Nights” star died at the age of 53 following a car crash.
“We’re taking care of each other and taking it one day at a time,” Tupper said at the Race to Erase MS Gala in Los Angeles Friday.
Anne Heche’s ex James Tupper shared an update on how he and their son Atlas are coping following her death. (Getty)
“We’ve got a lot of great support and family around us, and it doesn’t help. We still miss her, we miss her every day, love her,” the “Revenge” alum added.
Tupper and Heche, pictured in 2017, dated 11 years before ultimately ending their relationship in 2018. (Chris Delmas)
In January, Tupper shared that helping Atlas through his grief was his “whole focus.”
“I want to say that I’m doing great, but it’s been a very, very difficult time,” Tupper explained. “A very big transition and spending time with my boy and looking after him, that’s basically been my whole focus.
“It’s very difficult whenever you lose a parent like that. Your whole world switches inside out, and I think kids experience trauma in a way that adults don’t.
Tupper added that playing tennis and relying on the support of his “really good friends” has helped Atlas cope with the loss of his mother.
“Atlas has taken up tennis. So, he plays like two to three hours a day, and I think that’s creating a real nice balance,” Tupper said. “So, keeping these things carefully in balance, that’s how we’re getting through grief.”
According to a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s office, Heche died from “inhalation and thermal injuries” after she was involved in a fiery car collision Aug. 5 in Mar Vista.
“It has long been her choice to donate her organs, and she’s being kept on life support to determine if any are viable,” her representative confirmed at the time.
Heche was “peacefully taken off life support” Aug. 14 after being declared brain-dead days before.
Following her death, Homer faced a contentious court battle with Tupper, who contested Laffoon’s appointment as guardian of her estate.