'Impossible to get over': Anne Heche’s ex James Tupper reveals difficulty of raising son after her death
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Anne Heche’s ex James Tupper is reportedly still processing the death of the actress, who died in August last year after a severe accident. Tupper was present for a reading of her new book, ‘Call Me Anne’, which was organized on Tuesday, January 24, at the Barnes & Noble at the Grove in Los Angeles.
The function also reportedly saw Heche’s 13-year-old son, Atlas Heche Tupper, ‘Better Together’ podcast cohost Heather Duffy, Elisabeth Röhm who directed ‘Girl in Room 13’, and actress Justina Machado. Speaking with PEOPLE, James said, “I want to say that I'm doing great, but it's been a very, very difficult time. A very big transition and spending time with my boy and looking after him, that's basically been my whole focus.”
ALSO READ
Anne Heche's official cause of death ruling REVEALED days after actress was taken off life support
The 57-year-old actor went on to continue, “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. Adults have a context to put it in, but kids do not,” before pointing, “You want to bury it, you want to forget about it and move past it. I happened to have lost my mom, too, when I was very, very young. So I kind of understand what he's going through.”
Calling grief “a difficult thing,” which “comes in waves,” James added, “This shock that she's gone now — someone that you really loved and really knew very, very well... [It's] impossible to get over quickly.” ‘The Requin’ star also shared about his only child, which he shared with Heche. He noted, “Atlas has taken up tennis so he plays like two to three hours a day, and I think that's creating a really nice balance. [He] has really good friends. So keeping these things carefully in balance, that's how we're getting through grief.”
This comes after earlier in January, the elder son of the late Emmy Awards honoree took to her Instagram account to talk about her memoir. Homer Laffoon posted, “Hi Everybody, Homer here. Never imagined I'd find myself responsible for mom's IG account, but here we are. First things first, from August to now, the amount of love, care, and support shown by those on social media and IRL has been overwhelming and blessedly received - thank you.”
The 20-year-old expressed, “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. I have a responsibility to share with her community what she was working on and how excited she would have been to tell you herself,” before concluding, “But this is my mom's account so enough about me. For those in Los Angeles, there will be a special event at the Barnes & Noble at The Grove. I know mom would want to see everyone's smiling face as she read an excerpt and signed copies.”