Michael Oliver (actor)
Michael Oliver | |
|---|---|
| File:MichaelOliver2-0.jpg Michael Oliver | |
| Born | Michael Oliverius October 10, 1981 |
| 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.
Early life and career
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 and 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 though it 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 adult language thus limiting the film's overall appeal.[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]
Later career and personal life
Oliver would later land guest-starring roles in TV shows, including Amen, Platypus Man and Drexell's Class. He also appeared in the movie Dillinger and Capone (1995). Oliver has been involved as a crew member for The Samples and Nural music groups in recent years.
Filmography
| 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. Retrieved 2006-09-07.
- ^ a b Hicks, Chris. "Problem Child 2". deseretnews.com. Retrieved 2006-09-07.
- ^ "Trial begins over U's 'Problem' child". Variety. 2003-04-22. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^ "'Problem Child' star takes stand in suit". Variety. 2003-04-26. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^ "'Child' suit won by U". Variety. 2003-04-27. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^ "'Child' verdict affirmed". Variety. 2003-06-16. Retrieved 2008-02-23.