On June 13th, 1986, the Olsen Twins were born, Ashley Fuller Olsen, followed, approximately two minutes later, by Mary Kate Olsen. Their mother was Jarnette Olsen, their father David Olsen, and their four year old brother was named Trent. They were born in Sherman Oaks, a wealthy suburb of Los Angeles. Their mother was a former ballet dancer, and their father owned a business.
Even though everyone who knew the twins thought they were adorable, with their big blue eyes and blondish hair, nobody would ever have guessed these two tiny tots would someday become two of the most successful child stars ever. Their mother, upon the encourage of a friends, submitted photographs of the girls to a Talent Agency, so the twins could possibly get into modeling, or commercials. The Olsen Family did not even spend money to get professional pictures taken, they just sent in any old snapshot. The twins were accepted by the talent agency.
In early 1987, at the age of six months, the twins recieved their very first audition. Producers of a new television show, called Full House were looking for twins to share the role of the youngest daughter, Baby Michelle Tanner. They needed twins because babies weren't allowed to work more then 20 minutes daily. Full House producer Jeff Franklin, watched over the room of infants, crawling around. He said the Olsen Twins stood out, because they were "happy babies, smiling all the time, open to strangers, and had these big blue eyes." On their very first audition, the twins recieved the part of Michelle, and were on the path to superstardom.
Full House was an instant failure. In its first season, it was almost cancelled by ABC-TV, but the network decided to give the struggling show one more chance. They kept it on, and, to everyone's surprise, during summer reruns, the show became an instant success. Viewers turned in weekly, many of them, just to see the adorable Michelle. Many people crecit the success solely to the mege popularity of the Olsen Twins. Everyone enjoyed watching Michelle grow up, take her first steps, say her first words, make the trasition from crib to "big girl" bed, and learn to ride a bike. There were talking Michelle dolls, Michelle Barbie dolls, and many other Michelle products made.
The twins began making music albums, first Brother For Sale in 1992, which was followed a year later, with I Am The Cute One They also made a video, "Our First Video" to go along with these albums. All the albums/videos were hugely successful, and they all went platinum. The twins were on the fast track, and were pulling in millons of dollars a year.
Although, Mary-Kate and Ashley won the part of Michelle on a fluke, their parents left little else to chance. By the time the girls were three(the same year their little sister Lizzie was born), their parents fired their agent, and replaced him with lawyer Robert Thorn, who represents such clients as Prince. In 1992, the twins acted in their first movie, the direct to television flick To Grandmother's House We Go," which was number one the week it aired. It was Mr. Thorn who developed the twins production company, Dualstar, making them the youngest producers in Hollywood ever.
"Full House" unexpectedly went off the year, in 1995. At that time, says the twins lawyer, Robert Thorn, he thought the twins were "washed up," and would no longer be able to make the money. However, this theory proved to be far from the truth. Even the divorce of the twins parents, Jarnie and Dave, due to "irreconcilable differences" did not manage to slow the twins down. In 1996 the twins made a new video series, "You're Invited.." and also appeared in the feature film, titled "It Takes Two," with Kirstie Alley and Steve Guttenburg. In the film the twins played two "identical strangers," Amanda Lemmon(Mary-Kate), a tough kid from New York City, and Alyssa Callaway(Ashley), a rich kid. Together, they conspire to get Alyssa's dad and Amanda's social worker together, and to drive off Alyssa's evil stepmother. Their new video series was an instant success, and their film did moderately at the box office.
In the fall of 1998, the twins new tv show, Two of a Kind is set to air, on ABC's TGIF line up. The twins also have two new book series and two new video series on the agenda for 1998.
Even though the twins are so busy with acting, singing, and doing publicity, the twins still have time to go to "normal school"(they'll be entering the 7th grade) and for their hobbies. Both twins enjoy playing soccer , baseketball, and the violin, and going to the beach. Mary-Kate also LOVES to go horseback riding, and Ashley enjoys ballet dancing.
© 1998 by Niky.