Michael Oliver (actor)

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Michael Oliver

Michael Oliver, is an American film and TV actor and child star of the 1990s.
Born October 10, 1981 (1981-10-10) (age 26)
Los Angeles, California,
Flag of the United StatesU.S.
Other name(s) "PC"
Years active 1983 — present

Michael Oliver, (born October 10, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.), is an American film and TV actor and child star of the 1990s.

Oliver is best known for his role as "Junior" in two Problem Child movies.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life and career

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.

During the casting process for the movie Problem Child, it was running 6 months without finding an actor for the title character. When the film's casting agent saw Oliver's Chevron commercial, they tracked him down through the advertising agency and gave him the role days later.

Michael Oliver, starring as Junior, repents for his indiscretions to the nuns at the orphanage in Problem Child (1990).
Michael Oliver, starring as Junior, repents for his indiscretions to the nuns at the orphanage in Problem Child (1990).

[edit] Problem Child

Oliver's screen debut was in the comedy film Problem Child (1990), with John Ritter and Amy Yasbeck.

The film, in spite of some negative reviews and its sensitive themes (mass murderers, unwanted orphans, animal cruelty), proved successful as escapism fare enjoyed by age groups from kids to grandparents and has been described as being more an adult comedy than a family film. 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 potty humor thus limiting the film's overall appeal.[2]

He would later land guest-starring roles in TV shows, including Amen, Platypus Man and Drexell's Class. Several achievement nominations followed. He also appeared in the movie Dillinger and Capone (1995).

Oliver has been involved as a crew member for The Samples music group in recent years.

[edit] 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]

[edit] Quote

“ Truth be told, I feel I was just a seven-year-old that fit a 'look' and got lucky. ”

[edit] Awards

  • Nomination - "Best Young Actor, Guest-Starring" or "Recurring Role In A TV Series" (Drexell's Class) - Thirteenth Annual Youth in Film Awards (1990-1991).
  • Nomination - "Best Youth Actor, Leading Role In A Motion Picture Comedy" (Problem Child 2) - Fifteenth Annual Youth in Film Awards (1992-1993).

[edit] Trivia

  • Oliver was ranked Number 68 on VH1's 100 Greatest Kid Stars (2005).
  • The scene where Junior wields nunchuks against Big Ben (Jack Warden) in PC2 was Oliver's idea. He had a pair of "chucks" and had been practicing with them for a while. The production company gave him padded ones to use in the scene.
  • Oliver is the half brother of former child actor Danny Ponce of The Hogan Family and LuAnne Ponce of the TV show 'City'[citation needed]

[edit] Filmography

Michael Oliver, starring as "Junior", in Problem Child (1990) prior to "striking out".
Michael Oliver, starring as "Junior", in Problem Child (1990) prior to "striking out".
Year Title Role
1990 Problem Child "Junior"
1990 Amen
Child's Play (TV)		 Max
1991 Problem Child 2 "Junior" Healy
1991 Drexell's Class
Misery Loves Drexell (TV)		 Junior
1995 Dillinger and Capone Sam Dalton
1995 Platypus Man
Out of the Mouths of Babes (TV)		 Rusty

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Hicks, Chris. Problem Child. deseretnews.com. Retrieved on 2006-09-07.
  2. ^ a b Hicks, Chris. Problem Child 2. deseretnews.com. Retrieved on 2006-09-07.
  3. ^ "Trial begins over U's 'Problem' child", Variety, 2003-04-22. Retrieved on 2008-02-23. 
  4. ^ "'Problem Child' star takes stand in suit", Variety, 2003-04-26. Retrieved on 2008-02-23. 
  5. ^ "'Child' suit won by U", Variety, 2003-04-27. Retrieved on 2008-02-23. 
  6. ^ "'Child' verdict affirmed", Variety, 2003-06-16. Retrieved on 2008-02-23. 

[edit] External links