- Michael Oliver (actor)
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Michael Oliver Born Michael Oliverius
October 10, 1981
Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.Other names Michael Oliver Ponce Occupation Actor Years active 1990 — 1995 Michael Oliver (born October 10, 1981) is a former American child actor of the 1990s. Oliver is best known for his role as "Junior" in two Problem Child movies.
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Early life and career
Oliver, starring as Junior, repents for his indiscretions to the nuns at the orphanage in Problem Child (1990)
Born Michael Oliverius in Los Angeles, California, Oliver's career started at the age of 2. His first job was as a model in a Sears catalog. At age 6, he appeared in a Chevron commercial where he wore glasses and had his voice dubbed over. After seeing Oliver in the Chevron commercial, a casting agent for the film Problem Child tracked Oliver down and cast him in the role days later.
Problem Child debuted in 1990. Oliver's appearance reminded people of a young Ron Howard as "Opie Taylor" in the Andy Griffith Show.[1] It became a "surprise hit",[2] spawned two sequels and an animated series. Problem Child 2 followed in 1991, however the script was considered not par with the original and repeatedly resorted to adult language thus limiting the film's overall appeal.[2]
On a 2011 episode of the radio show Loveline Michael Oliver called in while Problem Child co-star Gilbert Gottfried was guest hosting. It was the first time they had spoke to each other since filming Problem Child 2.
Lawsuit with Universal Pictures
After completion of Problem Child 2, Universal Pictures sued Oliver's manager-mother Dianne Ponce for extorting his acting contract with the studio. Universal Pictures alleged that, on the eve of filming, Ponce threatened to remove her son from production unless his payment for the film was raised from $80,000 to $500,000.
A Superior Court jury ruled that the contract was unenforceable, Universal Pictures having entered into it under duress, and that Ponce and Oliver were obliged to return the balance between the $250,000 Universal had thus far paid and the $80,000 originally negotiated.[3][4][5][6]
Filmography
Michael Oliver starring as "Junior", in Problem Child (1990) prior to "striking out".Film Year Film Role Other notes 1990 Problem Child Junior 1991 Problem Child 2 Junior Healy 1995 Dillinger and Capone Sam Dalton Television Year Title Role Notes 1990 Amen Max 1 episode 1991 Drexell's Class Mitchell 1 episode 1995 Platypus Man Rusty 1 episode Award nominations
Year Award Result Category Film or series 1990-1991 Young Artist Award Nominated Best Young Actor Guest Starring or Recurring Role in a TV Series Drexell's Class 1992-1993 Best Youth Actor Leading Role in a Motion Picture Comedy Problem Child 2 References
- ^ Hicks, Chris. "Problem Child". deseretnews.com. http://deseretnews.com/movies/view/1,1257,1468,00.html. Retrieved 2006-09-07.
- ^ a b Hicks, Chris. "Problem Child 2". deseretnews.com. http://deseretnews.com/movies/view/1,1257,1469,00.html. Retrieved 2006-09-07.
- ^ "Trial begins over U's 'Problem' child". Variety. 2003-04-22. http://www.variety.com/article/VR106174.html?categoryid=13&cs=1. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^ "'Problem Child' star takes stand in suit". Variety. 2003-04-26. http://www.variety.com/article/VR106269.html?categoryid=22&cs=1. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^ "'Child' suit won by U". Variety. 2003-04-27. http://www.variety.com/article/VR107873.html?categoryid=22&cs=1. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^ "'Child' verdict affirmed". Variety. 2003-06-16. http://www.variety.com/article/VR107873.html?categoryid=22&cs=1. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
External links
Categories:- 1981 births
- Actors from California
- American child actors
- American film actors
- American television actors
- Living people
- People from the Greater Los Angeles Area
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