When “That ’70s Show” first aired in 1998, its cast of young actors was virtually unknown. Ashton Kutcher, a model from Iowa, Topher Grace without even a headshot, and Mila Kunis, just a teenager, made up the ensemble. Fast forward 20 years after the show’s conclusion in 2006, and these once-unknown faces are now global movie stars, with the added twist of two of them becoming a real-life couple!
Reflecting on their luck, Grace once remarked, “I was honestly lucky to not only get on ‘That ‘70s Show’ with all those talented people, but also land on a show that did so well for all of us. We got to choose what we wanted to do from there. You must know that actors don’t often get to do that or have that kind of privilege.”
Set in fictional Point Place, Wisconsin, the show followed a group of teens navigating adolescence in a smoke-filled basement. Although not a ratings sensation, the show aired for eight seasons and 200 episodes, sparking enough nostalgia to greenlight a spinoff, “That ‘90s Show,” premiering on Netflix in 2023 with original stars Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith. Anticipated guest appearances by Grace, Kunis, Kutcher, Wilmer Valderrama, and Laura Prepon added to the excitement.
“I was lucky to be part of something so successful,” Kutcher shared. “We decided to do the show again as a way to honor where we came from.” With a humble approach, the stars reunited for a week of fun on set.
From the youngest cast member, Kunis, who was just 14 when she auditioned for the spoiled rich girl Jackie Burkhart, to seasoned actor Grace, the “That ’70s Show” cast has carved out varied paths post-show. Kutcher found success not only in rom-coms but also as a tech investor, while Grace transitioned to roles in films. Kunis built a major film career and found love with her former co-star Kutcher in a full-circle romance.
While most of the cast has thrived in Hollywood, the show’s legacy includes the tragic losses of Lisa Robin Kelly and Tanya Roberts. Kelly’s struggle with addiction led to her untimely death in 2013, while Roberts, a Bond Girl and TV star, passed away in 2021 from complications of a urinary tract infection.
Through their diverse journeys, the cast of “That ’70s Show” continues to leave a lasting impact on both the entertainment industry and fans around the world.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.