Olsen Twins

Arguably the world’s most recognizable set of twins, Mary Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen comprise the duo known for television work, a slew of films, a successful business, and personal troubles.

Mary Kate Olsen and Ashley Fuller Olsen were born June 13, 1986 in Sherman Oaks, California. Their parents are David Olsen and Jarnette Fuller. Although they are fraternal twins, the girls look nearly identical. This helped win them a spot on the highly popular television series Full House when they were just nine months old. Together they portrayed Michelle Tanner beside other cast regulars Bob Saget, John Stamos, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron Bure, and Lori Loughlin. They would remain with this show until its final season in 1995.

When the show finally came to an end, the Olsen twins were international stars thanks to their hit TV show as well as a sizable collection of films. These included To Grandmother’s House We Go in 1992, Double, Double, Toil and Trouble with Cloris Leachman and Eric McCormack, and How the West was Fun in 1994.

When Full House came to an end, they embarked upon a laundry list of films in the Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley series as well as the You’re Invited to Mary-Kate & Ashley’s Party series. These straight to video films continued at a rapid pace until 2000.

Other notable film appearances include It Takes Two with Kirstie Alley and Steve Guttenberg in 1995.

They found mild success with the television series It Takes Two, but it only ran from 1998 to 1999 before getting the axe. Their second attempt at a television series was in 2001 with So Little Time. It didn’t make it past the first season either, but Mary Kate was honored with an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series.

Their 2004 film New York Minute with Eugene Levy, Andy Richter, Jack Osbourne, and Drew Pinsky was a disappointing flop for the twosome. Both were nominated for a Razzie Award in the Worst Actress category. They were also nominated for Worst Screen Couple.

The sisters have since started acting separately in films.

The marketability of the “Olsen Twins” was apparent from the very beginning. Their company, Dualstar, was formed in 1993. They also began a clothing and cosmetic line. So successful was their company and other ventures that they were named collectively as the eleventh richest woman in entertainment in 2007. They are worth an estimated $100 million.

Both sisters are also well known in the entertainment world for their legendary fashion sense. Pioneering the “homeless” look, Mary Kate was even hailed a fashion icon by the New York Times. Their second clothing line was the couture label “The Row,” and they gained further credibility in the fashion world by fronting the 2006 Badgley Mischka line.

Both twins attended New York University. Mary Kate, however, took a leave of absence when she broke up with future Paris Hilton beau, Stavros Niarchos III. Mary Kate subsequently moved to California where she is integral in running Dualstar. Ashley chose to stay in New York, although they remain close.

In 2004, Mary Kate made headlines when she was checked into rehab for anorexia. While drug rumors were rampant, representatives vehemently denied the charges.