The actress was the mother to two children, Homer and Atlas, whom she shared with her exes Coley Laffoon and James Tupper. She often posted loving sentiments about them to her social media pages and brought them along to events.
“Obviously, the miracle of life for a mother is just dumbfounding,“Heche previously told PEOPLEfollowing the birth of her second child. “It’s so hard to explain how wonderful it is to look in the eyes of a child that you’re blessed with.”
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Learn more about Heche’s two children and her sweet bond with them ahead.
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Heche’s first child, sonHomer Laffoon, was born on March 2, 2002. The actress shares the 20-year-old withher ex-husband Coley Laffoon, to whom she was married from 2001 to 2009.
In her 2009 interview with PEOPLE, Heche expressed her pride at how well he was adapting to being a big brother to Atlas, saying, “It’s hard to share attention … but he’s really found his stride now and he’s very protective of him.”
After Heche’s death in August 2022, astatementwas shared with PEOPLE on behalf of Homer, whofiled to assume controlof his mother’s estate.
“My brother Atlas and I want to thank Tyler, Noelle and all the amazing people at Hollywood Forever for their kindness, compassion and generosity of spirit,” the statement read. “We are convinced our Mom would love the site we have chosen for her; it’s beautiful, serene and she will be among her Hollywood peers.”
“Most importantly,” the document continued, “Hollywood Forever is a living place, where people attend movies and concerts and other events. She was our Mom, but the kindness and the outpouring of the past few days reminded us that she also belongs to her fans, to the entertainment community, and now, to the ages.”
In October 2022, Heche’s ex Tupperobjected to Homer’s requestfor the court to “expand his authority” over his late mother’s estate, claiming that Homer “has acted in a hostile manner” towards his brother Atlas and “has refused to communicate with him or his representatives at all.”
Homer was eventuallygranted “special powers” to control Heche’s estate. According to court documents, he can “take possession of all the personal property of the estate of the decedent and preserve it from damage, waste, and injury.” Once the possessions are in a storage facility, Homer must inventory everything within five days. He is also responsible for making decisions regarding Heche’s forthcoming book.
On Nov. 30, 2022, Homer wasnamed general administratorof his late mother’s estate. Homer’s attorney Bryan Phipps issued a statement to PEOPLE after the hearing: “We believe the court reached the correct result this morning, both legally and equitably, and are glad to have this phase of the process behind us. With Mr. Tupper’s allegations and objections now resolved, we are hopeful the administration of the Estate can proceed without unnecessary complication.”
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Atlas Heche Tupper, born on March 7, 2009, is Heche’s second child and first child with ex James Tupper. After meeting on the set ofMen in Trees, the actors got together in 2007.The couple eventually splitin 2018 after 10 years together.
Shortly after Atlas was born,Heche raved about his demeanor to PEOPLE, saying, “He’s just so easy I can’t believe it. He cracks a smile every time he opens his eyes and he’s a real bundle of joy.”
Anne Heche with her sons Atlas and Homer.Anne Heche/Instagram
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She also relished being a parent for the second time, as it gave her the opportunity to appreciate the moments as they happened. “I think that helps as a mom, to be able to really take in the experience in maybe just a little bit slower way,“she said,“rather than being just so panicked about whether you’re doing this right.”
When Atlas turned 13, Heche posted an adorable beachside shot of the two of them, writing, “Atlas is a TEEN-AGER? … Today I celebrate both of my sons for each of their monumental Birthdays.”
On Jan. 24, 2023 — in honor of the release date of Heche’s memoir,Call Me Anne— Atlas spoke about his mother for the first time since her death.
“My mom wasthe brightest person I’ve ever known,” he said. “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.”
source: people.com