‘Billboard Dad’ Turns 20: Here’s What The Cast’s Doing Now, In 2018

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen owned the tween market from the 1990s to the early 2000s with their direct-to-video films, but it all started with their 1998 flick, “Billboard Dad.”

Set in Los Angeles, the classic movie, which turns 20 today, revolved around twins Tess (Mary-Kate) and Emily (Ashley) playing matchmaker for their dad. There were evil plots to foil, schemes with friends to hatch and a rebel boy to eventually befriend.

Before this, the Olsens had done “Full House,” their “You’re Invited” and “Adventures” movie series, a few TV movies — like “To Grandmother’s House We Go” and “Double, Double Toil and Trouble” — and the theatrical film, “It Takes Two.” “Billboard Dad,” though, was the start of the twins’ reign as the tween and teen queens of direct-to-video. This movie led to 1999’s “Passport to Paris,” 2000’s “Our Lips are Sealed,” 2001’s “Winning London and “Holiday in the Sun” and more.

To honor “Billboard Dad” on its 20th anniversary, check out what the cast is up to now.

Mary-Kate Olsen (Tess Tyler)

While she started in the entertainment industry when she was just a baby on “Full House,” Mary-Kate hasn’t acted on screen since starring in the fantasy-romance, “Beastly,” in 2011.

Since then, running her fashion empire with her sister, Ashley, has been her primary focus. They have their couture clothing and accessory company, The Row, as well as their high-end line, Elizabeth and James.

Ashley Olsen (Emily Tyler)

Though they were inseparable in movies and on TV shows growing up, Ashley and Mary-Kate did part ways in their acting careers later on. While the latter’s last project was the “Beauty and the Beast” interpretation, Ashley wasn’t in that movie. She mainly stopped acting after 2004’s “New York Minute” with Mary-Kate. Although, she did have a small role in 2009’s “The Jerk Theory” and played herself in 2010’s “I’m Still Here.” She could also be seen in Thirty Seconds to Mars’ 2013 music video for “City of Angels.”

As mentioned earlier, Ashley’s currently busy with her multiple fashion lines with her sister.

Tom Amandes (Maxwell Tyler)

After playing the Olsen twins’ onscreen dad, Amandes had a few TV guest spots and a few movie roles before landing the role of Dr. Harold Abbott on The WB’s 2002 drama, “Everwood.” The show lasted until 2006 and the actor began a string of guest-starring roles again. In 2008, he joined “Eli Stone” for over 10 episodes. Since then, he’s worked on shows like “Parenthood,” “Chicago Fire,” “Arrow” and “Scandal.”

Sam Saletta (Ryan)

He worked on TV for a while after the Olsen movie, continuing his “7th Heaven” role of George Camden for a few episodes from 1999 to 2001. He was also on “The Kids from Room 402” from 1999 to 2000 and voiced the character Sam Dullard on “Rocket Power” from 1999 to 2002. His last onscreen role was a guest spot on “ER” in 2003. Instead of acting, Saletta’s been focusing on a singing career. He was a top 40 finalist on the first season of “American Idol” and released an EP earlier this year.

Rafael Rojas III (Cody)

Rojas hasn’t done much acting since “Billboard Dad,” aside from a few TV guest roles on “The Brothers Garcia” in 2002, “Hannah Montana” in 2006 and “CSI: NY” in 2010.

Jessica Tuck (Brooke)

A year after this movie was released, Tuck reprised her role of Megan Gordon Harrison on “One Life to Live.” Once she wrapped up her 1999 return to the show, she came back to it again in 2004 and for an episode in 2012. Within that time frame, Tuck also played Gillian Gray on “Judging Amy,” from 1999 to 2005.

In 2007, she joined the “High School Musical” franchise as Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) and Ryan’s (Lucas Grabeel) mother, Mrs. Evans, in the second installment and later reprised the role in the third movie. Recently, she joined the cast of “General Hospital” as Cassandra Pierce.

Carl Banks (Nigel)

He was on episodes of “The Drew Carey Show,” “Girlfriends” and “Black Scorpion” until his last onscreen role in 2005, on “Fat Actress.”

Troian Bellisario (Kristen)

She might’ve only had a few lines in “Billboard Dad,” but it was another step for Bellisario in building her acting career. Twelve years later, she landed a lead role on Freeform’s (then ABC Family) uber-popular teen drama, “Pretty Little Liars.” She played Spencer Hastings on the series, which lasted for seven seasons and wrapped up last year. She’s currently working on the film adaptation of Maria Semple’s novel, “Where’d You Go, Bernadette.”