Michael Oliver (actor)

Born in Los Angeles, California,{{Cite web|url=https://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/michael_joshua_oliverius_born_1981_15039435|title=Michael Joshua Oliverius, Born 10/10/1981 in California {{!}} CaliforniaBirthIndex.org|website=www.CaliforniaBirthIndex.org|access-date=2021-12-15}}] 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.

When Problem Child was released in 1990, Oliver's appearance reminded people of a young Ron Howard as "Opie Taylor" in the Andy Griffith Show.{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/article/700001466/Problem-Child.html |title=Problem Child |last=Hicks |first=Chris |publisher=Deseret News|accessdate=2021-11-01 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060906012751/http://deseretnews.com/movies/view/1%2C1257%2C1468%2C00.html |archivedate=September 6, 2006 }} It became a "surprise hit,"{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/1991/7/13/20088421/film-review-problem-child-2 |title=Problem Child 2 |last=Hicks |first=Chris |publisher=Deseret News |accessdate=2021-11-01|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515152021/http://deseretnews.com/movies/view/1%2C1257%2C1469%2C00.html |archivedate=May 15, 2006 }} spawned two sequels and an animated series. Problem Child 2 followed in 1991; however, the script was considered not in par with the original and repeatedly resorted to adult language, thus limiting the film's overall appeal. Michael Oliver retired from acting when he was 15. In 2015, it was reported that Oliver was happy with his private life away from the celebrity scene and had said he was enjoying "a nice, quiet existence" although he expressed he was grateful for the time he had spent in the spotlight as a child star.{{cite web|last=Mackie|first=Drew|title=Problem Child Turns 25: 10 Facts You Probably Didn't Know|url=https://people.com/movies/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-problem-child/|work=People|date=

July 22, 2015|access-date=October 8, 2021}}

On a 2011 episode of the radio show Loveline, Oliver called in while former co-star Gilbert Gottfried was guest hosting.{{cite web |title=It's a PROBLEM CHILD reunion as Junior himself, MICHAEL OLIVER, joins us for this week's #GilbertPODFried! |url=https://www.facebook.com/realgilbertgottfried/posts/10153048414352205 |website=facebook.com}} On the 20th anniversary of both Problem Child and Problem Child 2, it was the first time the two actors have spoken to each other since 1991.{{cite web |title=Whatever Happened To The Kid From The Problem Child Movies?|url=https://www.thelist.com/1575522/whatever-happened-kid-from-problem-child-movies/|website=www.thelist.com}}

In 2022, after being married since 2016 and separated since 2019, Oliver filed for a divorce from his ex-wife Magnolia Ponce citing irreconcilable differences.{{cite web|url=http://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/problem-child-star-michael-oliver-100026036.html|title=‘Problem Child’ Star Michael Oliver Files For Divorce After 3 Years Of Marriage|publisher=Yahoo Entertainment|date=November 19, 2022|first=Mike|last=Walters|access-date=September 3, 2023}}

After completion of Problem Child 2, Universal Pictures sued Oliver and Oliver's manager-mother Dianne Ponce for extorting his acting contract. Universal Pictures claimed the day before filming, Ponce threatened to remove her son from production unless his original payment of $80,000 be raised to $500,000. Universal agreed, but would be out of pocket $4 million if Oliver backed out.{{cite news|title='Problem Child’ Star Michael Oliver Files For Divorce After 3 Years Of Marriage|publisher=Yahoo|last=Walters|first=Mike|date=2022-11-19|url= https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/problem-child-star-michael-oliver-100026036.html|accessdate=2025-07-05}}

A Superior Court jury ruled that the contract was unenforceable, with Universal Pictures having entered into it under duress, and that Ponce and Oliver were obliged to return the difference between the $250,000 Universal had thus far paid and the $80,000 originally negotiated.{{cite news|title=Trial begins over U's 'Problem' child|publisher=Variety| date =1993-04-22|url=https://variety.com/1993/film/news/trial-begins-over-u-s-problem-child-106174/| accessdate =2021-11-01}}{{cite news |title='Problem Child' star takes stand in suit|publisher =Variety|date =1993-04-26|url=https://variety.com/1993/biz/news/problem-child-star-takes-stand-in-suit-106269/| accessdate =2021-11-01}}{{cite news|title='Child' suit won by U|publisher=Variety|date =1993-04-27|url=https://variety.com/1993/biz/news/child-suit-won-by-u-106307/|accessdate =2015-04-10}}{{cite news|title ='Child' verdict affirmed|publisher=Variety|date =1993-06-16|url=https://variety.com/1993/biz/news/child-verdict-affirmed-107873/|accessdate =2021-11-01}}

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb name|id=0646943|name=Michael Oliver}}
• [http://www.youngartistawards.org/years.htm Young Artists Awards / Past Nominees and Winners]

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Category:1981 births

Category:Male actors from California

Category:American male child actors

Category:American male film actors

Category:American male television actors

Category:Living people

Category:Male actors from Greater Los Angeles

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