Michael Oliver (actor)

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Michael Oliverius
Born
Michael Joshua Oliverius

(1981-10-10) October 10, 1981 (age 43)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesMike Ponce
Occupation(s)Child model, Child actor
Years active1989–2008
Spouse
Magnolia Ponce
​
​
(m. 2016; div. 2022)​
FamilyDianne Ponce (mother)
Matthew Oliverius (father)

Michael Joshua Oliverius (born October 10, 1981)[1] is an American former child actor better known by his stage name 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

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

Andy Griffith Show.[3] It became a "surprise hit,"[4] 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.[4] 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.[5]

On a 2011 episode of the radio show Loveline, Oliver called in while former co-star Gilbert Gottfried was guest hosting.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8]

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 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.[citation needed]

A

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.[9][10][11][12]

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Other notes
1990 Problem Child Junior Healy
1991 Problem Child 2 Junior Healy
1994 Forrest Gump Red Headed Teen (uncredited)
1995 Dillinger and Capone Sam Dalton
1996 Eraser Russian Teen (uncredited)
2008 Solitaire Redhead Guy (uncredited)
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1990 Amen Max 1 episode
1991 Drexell's Class Mitchell 1 episode
1991 The Munsters Today Young Andy 1 episode
1995 Platypus Man Rusty 1 episode

Awards and 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

  1. ^ "Michael Oliver". IMDb.com.
  2. ^ "Michael Joshua Oliverius, Born 10/10/1981 in California | CaliforniaBirthIndex.org". www.CaliforniaBirthIndex.org. Retrieved 2021-12-15.]
  3. ^ Hicks, Chris. "Problem Child". Deseret News. Archived from the original on September 6, 2006. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  4. ^ a b Hicks, Chris. "Problem Child 2". Deseret News. Archived from the original on May 15, 2006. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  5. ^ Mackie, Drew (July 22, 2015). "Problem Child Turns 25: 10 Facts You Probably Didn't Know". People. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  6. ^ "It's a PROBLEM CHILD reunion as Junior himself, MICHAEL OLIVER, joins us for this week's #GilbertPODFried!". facebook.com.
  7. ^ "Whatever Happened To The Kid From The Problem Child Movies?". www.thelist.com.
  8. ^ Walters, Mike (November 19, 2022). "'Problem Child' Star Michael Oliver Files For Divorce After 3 Years Of Marriage". Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  9. ^ "Trial begins over U's 'Problem' child". Variety. 1993-04-22. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  10. ^ "'Problem Child' star takes stand in suit". Variety. 1993-04-26. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  11. ^ "'Child' suit won by U". Variety. 1993-04-27. Retrieved 2015-04-10.
  12. ^ "'Child' verdict affirmed". Variety. 1993-06-16. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
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