| Michael Oliver | |
|---|---|
 Michael Oliver, is an American film and TV actor and child star of the 1990s. |
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| Born | October 10 1981 Los Angeles, California,  U.S. |
| Other name(s) | "PC" |
| Years active | 1983-Present |
| Official site | Pending |
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 |
Biography
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.
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.
Quote
| “ | Truth be told, I feel I was just a seven-year-old that fit a 'look' and got lucky. | ” |
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).
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) 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.
Filmography
| 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 |
Notes
- ^ Hicks, Chris. Problem Child. deseretnews.com. Retrieved on 2006-09-07.
- ^ a b Hicks, Chris. Problem Child 2. deseretnews.com. Retrieved on 2006-09-07.
