Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen are American actresses, fashion designers, and businesswomen. They began their acting career at a young age and became popular as television stars in the sitcom Full House. As adults, they have pursued successful careers in fashion, launching their own fashion brands. In this Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen biography, we will take a look at their lives and careers in detail.
1. Early Life and Career
Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen were born in 1986 in Sherman Oaks, California. They are fraternal twins and have an older brother, Trent. Their parents divorced when they were young, and they were raised by their mother, Jarnette.
The Olsens began their acting career when they were just nine months old, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner on the sitcom Full House. They continued to play this role for eight years.
During their time on Full House, the Olsens also appeared in several made-for-television movies. In 1995, they starred in the film It Takes Two, playing opposite Steve Guttenberg and Kirstie Alley. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $44 million worldwide.
2. Success as Television Stars
In addition to their work on Full House, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen also starred in their own sitcom, Two of a Kind. The show aired for two seasons on ABC from 1998 to 1999.
After Two of a Kind ended, the Olsens took a break from acting to focus on their education. They both attended New York University, but they did not complete their degrees.
In 2004, the Olsens made their return to television with the sitcom So Little Time. The show aired for one season on Fox Family.
3. Transition to Adult Roles In the early 2000s, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen began to transition to adult roles. They appeared in several films aimed at a teenage audience, including New York Minute (2004) and The Challenge (2003).
The Olsens also had a brief stint on the soap opera Passions, appearing in seven episodes in 2004.
4. Fashion Brands
In 2006, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen launched their first fashion brand, Elizabeth and James. The brand is named after their sibling, Elizabeth Olsen, who is also an actress, and James Franco, who is an actor and director.
The brand offers a mix of classic and contemporary styles. It is available at a variety of retailers, including Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.
In 2012, the Olsens launched a second fashion brand, Olsenboye. The brand is aimed at a younger audience and is available exclusively at JCPenney.
5. Recent Years
In recent years, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen have continued to pursue their careers in fashion. They have been named as two of the most successful female entrepreneurs under the age of 30 by Forbes magazine.
The Olsens have also been active in philanthropy. In 2010, they launched the Elizabeth and James Nirvana White charity campaign, which raises money for ovarian cancer research.