.gif)
Michael Oliver (actor)
Encyclopedia
Michael Oliver is a former American
child actor
of the 1990s. Oliver is best known for his role as "Junior" in two Problem Child movies.
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. It became a "surprise hit", 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.
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
.
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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
child actor
Child actor
The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting in motion pictures or television, but also to an adult who began his or her acting career as a child; to avoid confusion, the latter is also called a former child actor...
of the 1990s. Oliver is best known for his role as "Junior" in two Problem Child movies.
Early life and career
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, Oliver's career started at the age of 2. His first job was as a model in a Sears
Sears, Roebuck and Company
Sears, officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co., is an American chain of department stores which was founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in the late 19th century...
catalog. At age 6, he appeared in a Chevron
Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
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
Ron Howard
Ronald William "Ron" Howard is an American actor, director, and producer. He came to prominence as a child actor, playing Opie Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show for eight years, and later the teenaged Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days for six years...
as "Opie Taylor" in the Andy Griffith Show. It became a "surprise hit", spawned two sequels and an animated series. Problem Child 2
Problem Child 2
Problem Child 2 is the 1991 comedy film sequel to the 1990 sleeper hit Problem Child; a continuation of the exploits of an adopted orphan boy who deliberately wreaks havoc everywhere he goes...
followed in 1991, however the script was considered not par with the original and repeatedly resorted to adult language
Profanity
Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...
thus limiting the film's overall appeal.
On a 2011 episode of the radio show Loveline
Loveline
Loveline is a syndicated radio call-in program in North America, offering medical and relationship advice to listeners, often with the assistance of guests, typically actors and musicians. Its flagship station is KROQ-FM in Los Angeles....
Michael Oliver called in while Problem Child co-star Gilbert Gottfried
Gilbert Gottfried
Gilbert Gottfried is an American actor, voice actor and stand-up comedian, best known for his trademark comedic persona of speaking in a loud, grating tone of voice. He has played numerous roles in film and television, perhaps most notably voicing the parrot Iago in Disney's Aladdin , and...
was guest hosting. It was the first time they had spoke to each other since filming Problem Child 2
Problem Child 2
Problem Child 2 is the 1991 comedy film sequel to the 1990 sleeper hit Problem Child; a continuation of the exploits of an adopted orphan boy who deliberately wreaks havoc everywhere he goes...
.
Lawsuit with Universal Pictures
After completion of Problem Child 2, Universal PicturesUniversal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
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
Superior court
In common law systems, a superior court is a court of general competence which typically has unlimited jurisdiction with regard to civil and criminal legal cases...
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.
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
| 1990 | Problem Child | Junior | |
| 1991 | Problem Child 2 Problem Child 2 Problem Child 2 is the 1991 comedy film sequel to the 1990 sleeper hit Problem Child; a continuation of the exploits of an adopted orphan boy who deliberately wreaks havoc everywhere he goes... |
Junior Healy | |
| 1995 | Dillinger and Capone | Sam Dalton | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1990 | Amen Amen The word amen is a declaration of affirmation found in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. Its use in Judaism dates back to its earliest texts. It has been generally adopted in Christian worship as a concluding word for prayers and hymns. In Islam, it is the standard ending to Dua and the... |
Max | 1 episode |
| 1991 | Drexell's Class Drexell's Class Drexell's Class is an American sitcom aired by Fox as part of its 1991-92 lineup. The show was created by Andrew Nicholls and Darrell Vickers.-Synopsis:... |
Mitchell | 1 episode |
| 1995 | Platypus Man Platypus Man Platypus Man is an American sitcom that aired on UPN in 1995. Starring comedian Richard Jeni, the television series was based on an hour-long HBO special of Jeni's filmed in 1992. The series lasted for only one season, with a total of thirteen episodes.... |
Rusty | 1 episode |
Award nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Film or series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-1991 | Young Artist Award Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... |
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 | ||