Michael Joshua Oliverius (born October 10, 1981) is an American former

child actor The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage, television, or in film, movies. An adult who began their acting career as a child may also be called a child actor, or a "former child actor". Closely associa ...

better known by his

stage name A stage name or professional name is a pseudonym used by performers, authors, and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. The equivalent concept among writers is called a ''nom de plume'' (pen name). Some performers ...

Michael Oliver. Oliver is best known for his role as "Junior" in the movie '' Problem Child'' and its sequel '' Problem Child 2''. He also played Sam Dalton In '' Dillinger and Capone'' in 1995.

Early life and career

Born in

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

, Oliver's career started at the age of 2. His first job was as a model in a

Sears Sears, Roebuck and Co., commonly known as Sears ( ), is an American chain of department stores and online retailer founded in 1892 by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck and reincorporated in 1906 by Richard Sears and Julius Rosen ...

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 Ronald William Howard (born March 1, 1954) is an American filmmaker and actor. Howard started his career as a child actor before transitioning to directing films. Over his six-decade career, Howard has received List of awards and nominations r ...

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 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. On a 2011 episode of the radio show ''

Loveline ''Loveline'' is a radio syndication, syndicated radio Talk show, call-in program in North America that features medical and relationship advice, often with guest appearances by actors and musicians. For most of its original run until ending in ...

'', Oliver called in while former co-star

Gilbert Gottfried Gilbert Jeremy Gottfried (February 28, 1955 – April 12, 2022) was an American stand-up comedian and actor, best-known for his exaggerated shrill voice, strong New York dialect, his squint, and his edgy, often-controversial, sense of humor. Hi ...

was guest hosting. 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. 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.

Lawsuit with Universal Pictures

After completion of ''Problem Child 2'',

Universal Pictures Universal City Studios LLC, doing business as Universal Pictures (also known as Universal Studios or simply Universal), is an American filmmaking, film production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered at the 10 Universal Ci ...

sued Oliver's manager-mother Dianne Ponce for extorting his acting contract with the studio. Universal Pictures stated 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 In common law systems, a superior court is a court of general jurisdiction over civil and criminal legal cases. A superior court is "superior" in relation to a court with limited jurisdiction (see small claims court), which is restricted to civil ...

jury ruled that the contract was unenforceable, Universal Pictures having entered into it under

duress Coercion involves compelling a party to act in an involuntary manner through the use of threats, including threats to use force against that party. It involves a set of forceful actions which violate the free will of an individual in order to i ...

, 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.

Filmography

Awards and nominations

References

External links

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Young Artists Awards / Past Nominees and Winners
1981 births Male actors from California American male child actors American male film actors American male television actors Living people Male actors from Greater Los Angeles {{DEFAULTSORT:Oliver, Michael