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| At the age of twelve, twin sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are among the most popular female personalities in America. Having made their mark in feature film, home video publishing, recording and multi-media entertainment, the Olsens have returned to network television as the stars of their own series, "Two Of A Kind," kicking-off ABC-TV's "TGIF" line-up Friday nights. As always, Mary-Kate and Ashley and their Dualstar Entertainment companies are setting a new standard-not just for child stars, but for superstars of any age. Best known for sharing the role of Michelle Tanner on the ABC-TV hit comedy series "Full House" from nine-months old to nine years old, the twins have literally grown up in public. Their success as performers is not only limited to the small screen, however, as multi-platinum certifications for "Our First Video" and each of "The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley" musical detective home videos and "You're Invited" party tapes have proven. Released in September of 1993, "Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen: Our First Video" rocketed into the top slot of Billboard's music video chart in less than three weeks and began an unbroken streak of video hits. The quadruple-platinum video enjoyed 12 weeks at the #1 spot and 157 weeks in the top 10-- a first for seven-year-olds. "I Am The Cute One," a companion album, reached Billboard's Top 200 album chart and appeared along with "Brother For Sale," their debut album in 1992, on Billboard's Heatseekers chart for new recording artists. There are now three new "You're Invited" compilations available, the latest is "Ballet Party." Each of the eleven installments of "The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley," a musical detective home video series starring the Olsens as the crime-solving "Trenchcoat Twins," as well as the six titles in their second breakout series "You're Invited To Mary-Kate & Ashley's," have been certified triple platinum, consistently reaching the Top 5 of Billboard's KidVid Chart. Their first movie-length, direct-to video project, "Billboard Dad," was released by Warner Home Video in November 1998. Dualstar's success in children's books parallels its achievements in home video. Mary-Kate and Ashley's books, created by Parachute Press, has grown from the "Adventure" series and "you're Invited" series to include "The New Adventures" original mysteries. They also have two special hardcover books. The Twins' books regularly place in the Top 5 children's book series nationwide. A companion series to their "Two Of A Kind" TV show will be released in Fall 1998. In addition, the girls are actively supporting the Campbell Soup Company's renowned "Labels For Education" program. If the Olsens seem like they are having a lot of fun, it may be because what they do professionally so closely parallels their real-life interests. Among their favorite things to do are to act, sing, shop, watch MTV, enjoy the great outdoors, dance, play baseball (they have even suited up with the Minnesota Twins), ride horses and spend quality time with their real-life family. Above all else, they are still regular kids. Despite their success, Mary-Kate and Ashley's weekly allowance is $10. Mary-Kate and Ashley were born June 13, 1986. While they appear to be identical twins they are fraternal-with Ashley, who is right-handed, born two minutes before southpaw Mary-Kate. They live in Los Angeles with brother Trent, and sister Elizabeth-who appeared in their videos from time to time. In response to thousands of cards and letters sent to the twins each month, an official fan club -- Mary-Kate & Ashley's Fun Club TM -- has been formed. Fans can write to 859 Hollywood Way, Suite 412, Burbank, CA 91505 for information or visit their official website at www.marykateandashley.com. "Two of A Kind" airs Friday nights at 8PM on the ABC television network. |
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