Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (Blue Banner Biographies)

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen did not ask to be movie stars, child actresses, or teen icons. In fact, neither of them could speak at seven months old when they were cast in their first TV show, Full House. Their mother and father hadn’t planned on TV careers for their twins, either. The TV careers came quite by accident one day when mom Jarnie was shopping with a friend, a woman whose child was pursuing a career in acting. On the way home, the woman needed to stop by the office of her child’s talent agent. When Jarnie mentioned that she had twin daughters, the agent immediately asked to see pictures. After one look, he wanted them to audition for an upcoming television series. Although Jarnie didn’t really believe the girls would be hired, she decided to go because it seemed like fun. They were hired on the spot.

This is the story of fraternal twins (no, they are not identical twins) who grew up on TV and became successful actors before they even knew what the words meant.