Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Fuller Olsen (born June 13, 1986) are twin American actresses who have appeared in television and films since the age of 3 months. Despite their near-identical looks, the pair are actually fraternal rather than identical twins.
Road to Fame
They started their acting careers on the television series Full House. The show was widely popular during the late 80s and early 90s, and both sisters played one character, Michelle Tanner, taking turns during the recordings to do so, in order to comply with child labor laws regarding child actors. Because the producers did not want viewers to know that Michelle was played by twins, the sisters were credited as "Mary Kate Ashley Olsen".
Shortly after the end of Full House, they returned to the entertainment industry, riding the momentum of their role on Full House by heavily merchandising their image. Taking the world of pre-teens and children by storm, their names have become an industry that makes them over 160 million dollars each a year, with their likeness seen in movies, posters, magazines, clothes, and even video games like Mary Kate and Ashley's Magical Mystery Mall.
As of 2004 the Olsen twins are popular figures in today's pre-teen market, following along the lines of such Hollywood child stars as Shirley Temple, Ron Howard and Macaulay Culkin among others.
They starred in The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley and the ABC show Two of a Kind (now rerun on ABC Family), as well as ABC Family's So Little Time, essentially a white Sister, Sister.
Filmography
Theatrical:
Made for TV:
They also have a new book series named Mary-Kate And Ashley In Action, where they are portrayed as secret spies, and has since been made into an animated series.
On May 15, 2004, the girls co-hosted the season finale of Saturday Night Live.
The film New York Minute was released to critical and commercial failure and ultimately became a box office bomb.
Trivia
Mary-Kate Olsen and her bodyguard were involved in a non serious car accident six days later, on May 21, when her car's brakes failed her at a jammed Los Angeles freeway, and he could not stop in time to avoid crashing into her car. No one was injured in the accident.
On June 22, 2004, it was revealed that Mary-Kate had entered a rehabilitation program for the eating disorder anorexia. Gossip had swirled for months that her appearance was more and more drawn, but the actress and her management refused to discuss the issue. She herself had poked fun at the rumors on an episode of Saturday Night Live, which she had hosted with Ashley. In this episode, Ashley, posing as a photographer, shouted out to "Mary-Kate", "You're too skinny! Eat a sandwich!"
It was reported, on July 7, that the Olsen's participation in the cocaine addiction, contrary to the previous rumors of her having anorexia.
questions the supposed fact that they are fraternal twins, citing that just because they are different-handed, doesn't mean they have different genetics.
Who is who
A popular allegation among fans, albeit without reliable scientific confirmation, is that, although over a billion people are acquainted with the image of the Olsen twins, less than 400 can actually tell them apart. Some known differences:
| Feature |
Ashley |
Mary-Kate |
| Height |
1,58m / 5' 2 ft |
1,55m / 5' 1 ft |
| Handedness |
Right-handed |
Left-handed |
| Eye Color |
Blue |
Blue, but with tinge of green |
| Age difference (3 minutes) |
Older |
Younger |
| Facial structure |
Oval face |
Rounder face |
| Favorite milkshake flavor |
Vanilla |
Chocolate |
| Major |
Psychology |
Cuisine |
| Hobby |
Dancing |
Horseback riding |
| Music genre |
Pop |
Rock and roll |
| Favorite school subject |
Math |
History & Literature |
| Favorite vacationing places |
Beach |
Big cities |
| Musical instrument |
Piano |
Violin |
| Look & feel |
Sophisticated & classic |
Sport |
They also never forget to bring in their travels:
- Ashley: her cobertor of her childhood.
- Mary-Kate: books
