Michael Oliver

Michael Joshua Oliverius (born October 10, 1981) 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 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.

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. 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.

On a 2011 episode of the radio show Loveline, Oliver called in while former co-star Gilbert Gottfried was guest hosting. In 2012, Oliver, along with the cast and crew of Problem Child and Problem Child 2, reunited for a photoshoot supporting the John Ritter Foundation.

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 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.

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.

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 1996Eraser Russian Teen (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