That ’70s Show Cast: Where Are They Now
Few sitcoms capture the hazy, awkward, and hilarious feeling of being a teenager quite like That ’70s Show. The cast of teens—from a deadpan Eric to a clueless Kelso—became household names, and decades later, people still wonder where they ended up. This guide tracks every main cast member, from the pilot episode in 1998 to their lives and careers today, with verified facts about deaths, reunions, and the spin-off That ’90s Show.
Seasons: 8 ·
Episodes: 200 ·
Main cast members: 9 ·
Original network: Fox ·
Years aired: 1998–2006
Quick snapshot
- Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Laura Prepon, Wilmer Valderrama, Debra Jo Rupp, Kurtwood Smith, and Lisa Robin Kelly formed the original main cast (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
- Mila Kunis was only 14 when she auditioned for the role of Jackie Burkhart (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
- Whether a full original-cast reunion movie will ever happen (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
- Exact cause of Lisa Robin Kelly’s death officially attributed to cardiac arrest with multiple drug intoxication (YouTube cast retrospective (fan timeline creator)).
- 1998: Show premieres on Fox (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
- 2023: Danny Masterson convicted of rape; sentenced to 30 years to life (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
- That ’90s Show, the sequel series starring Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp, premiered on Netflix in 2023 (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
- Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are reportedly open to returning for more episodes of the spin-off (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
| Actor | Character | Notable after |
|---|---|---|
| Topher Grace | Eric Forman | Spider-Man 3, BlacKkKlansman |
| Mila Kunis | Jackie Burkhart | Black Swan, Family Guy |
| Ashton Kutcher | Michael Kelso | Punk’d, The Ranch |
| Danny Masterson | Steven Hyde | Legal issues (conviction 2023) |
| Laura Prepon | Donna Pinciotti | Orange Is the New Black |
| Wilmer Valderrama | Fez | NCIS, That ’90s Show |
| Debra Jo Rupp | Kitty Forman | WandaVision, That ’90s Show |
| Kurtwood Smith | Red Forman | RoboCop, That ’90s Show |
| Lisa Robin Kelly | Laurie Forman | Deceased 2013 |
That ’70s Show ran for 200 episodes across eight seasons. Here are the core facts every fan should know.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Show created by | Bonnie Turner and Terry Turner |
| Premiere date | August 23, 1998 (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)) |
| Finale date | May 18, 2006 |
| Setting | Point Place, Wisconsin (fictional) |
| Theme song | “In the Street” by Big Star (performed by Cheap Trick) |
| Number of seasons | 8 |
| Total episodes | 200 |
| Main cast size | 9 (including Lisa Robin Kelly in early seasons) |
Who are the main cast members of That ’70s Show?
Primary young cast
- Topher Grace as Eric Forman – the show’s central everyman (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
- Mila Kunis as Jackie Burkhart – the popular, bossy rich girl (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
- Ashton Kutcher as Michael Kelso – the dim-witted but good-looking jock (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
- Danny Masterson as Steven Hyde – the cynical, anti-establishment friend (YouTube cast retrospective (fan timeline creator)).
- Laura Prepon as Donna Pinciotti – the smart, feminist neighbor and Eric’s love interest (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
- Wilmer Valderrama as Fez – the foreign exchange student with a mysterious accent (YouTube cast retrospective (fan timeline creator)).
Adult (parent) cast
- Debra Jo Rupp as Kitty Forman – Eric’s loving, slightly neurotic mother (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
- Kurtwood Smith as Red Forman – Eric’s stern, boot-in-the-butt father (YouTube cast retrospective (fan timeline creator)).
Season 1 cast differences
In season 1, the main circle was complete. Lisa Robin Kelly played Laurie Forman (Eric’s older sister) as a recurring character through season 5. Topher Grace left after season 7 and was replaced by Josh Meyers (as Randy Pearson) for the final season (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
The core seven teens remained remarkably stable for seven seasons—a rare feat for a sitcom that ran nearly a decade. The cast chemistry, built in their real teens, is what turned the show into a cultural anchor.
The implication: The casting choices created a dynamic that defined the show’s humor and heart.
What did the That ’70s Show cast look like when they were young?
When the show premiered in 1998, the actors were barely out of childhood. Mila Kunis was 14 at her first audition, though producers lied about her age to the network (Just Jared (entertainment news site)). Wilmer Valderrama was 18, Laura Prepon 18, Topher Grace 20, and Ashton Kutcher 20. Debra Jo Rupp, at 47, was the oldest cast member during the first season. Fans love to compare the gangly, youthful cast photos from the late ’90s with their more recent red-carpet appearances—a contrast that shows just how formative those eight years on set were.
The show that made the actors look like typical teens also froze them in time. Even as adults, many still introduce themselves to new generations as “the guy from That ’70s Show.”
The pattern: This early start gave the actors a unique foundation, blending real adolescence with on-screen chemistry.
Where is the That ’70s Show cast now?
Topher Grace
After leaving the show, Grace branched into film with roles in Spider-Man 3 and BlacKkKlansman. He recently starred in the thriller Heretic (2024) (Just Jared (entertainment news site)). He is married to Ashley Hinshaw and has two children.
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher
Kunis starred in films like Black Swan, Ted, and Luckiest Girl Alive. Kutcher co-created Punk’d and starred in Two and a Half Men and The Ranch. The two married in 2015 and have two children. In mid-2025, a Just Jared feature noted that Kunis is 41 and remains active in both film and voice work (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
Laura Prepon
Prepon earned critical acclaim for her role as Alex Vause on Orange Is the New Black. She reprised Donna Pinciotti for a cameo on That ’90s Show in 2023 (Just Jared (entertainment news site)). She is married to actor Ben Foster with two children.
Wilmer Valderrama
Valderrama has been a regular on NCIS since 2016 and also appears in That ’90s Show. A 2025 YouTube cast retrospective estimates his age at 46 in 2026 (YouTube cast retrospective (fan timeline creator)). He is an active philanthropist.
For most cast members, the show’s massive popularity opened doors—but also created an enduring association that some found hard to shake. Kutcher and Kunis turned it into a lasting Hollywood power couple; others like Masterson faced very different headlines.
The takeaway: Each actor navigated post-’70s fame differently, but the show remains the common thread.
Which That ’70s Show cast members have died?
Only one main cast member has passed away. Lisa Robin Kelly, who played Eric’s sister Laurie Forman in seasons 1–5, died on August 15, 2013, at age 43. The official cause was cardiac arrest due to multiple drug intoxication (YouTube cast retrospective (fan timeline creator)). No other main cast member has died as of 2025. Rumors about Tommy Chong’s death are false; the actor is alive and well.
Who played Bob and Kitty on That ’70s Show?
Kitty Forman (Debra Jo Rupp)
Debra Jo Rupp played the warm, wine-loving matriarch across all eight seasons. She later appeared in WandaVision and reprised Kitty in That ’90s Show (Just Jared (entertainment news site)). Rupp is still active in television and stage work.
Bob Pinciotti (Don Stark)
Don Stark played Donna’s goofy father, Bob Pinciotti, a recurring character throughout the series. Stark has continued working in TV and film guest spots, including roles on The Middle and Mom (YouTube cast retrospective (fan timeline creator)).
The implication: The adult cast brought steady comic relief and grounded the teen chaos. Both Rupp and Stark moved easily into other roles, proving the show’s ensemble strength extended beyond the main seven.
Timeline of key events
- August 23, 1998: That ’70s Show premieres on Fox (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
- 1999: Lisa Robin Kelly leaves after season 2, returns briefly in season 5 (YouTube cast retrospective (fan timeline creator)).
- 2003: Topher Grace announces he will leave; departs after season 7.
- 2005: Ashton Kutcher and Grace leave; Josh Meyers joins as Randy Pearson in season 8.
- May 18, 2006: Series finale airs.
- August 15, 2013: Lisa Robin Kelly dies at age 43.
- 2023: Danny Masterson is convicted of rape and later sentenced to 30 years to life (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
- 2023: That ’90s Show premieres on Netflix, starring Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
This timeline highlights the cast’s diverging paths, from tragic loss to legal consequences.
Clarity check: what we know vs. what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- All nine main actors and their characters are verified (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
- Mila Kunis was 14 at audition (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
- Lisa Robin Kelly died in 2013 (YouTube cast retrospective (fan timeline creator)).
- That ’90s Show sequel exists (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
What’s unclear
- Full original cast reunion in development?
- Exact cause of Lisa Robin Kelly’s death (officially cardiac arrest with drug intoxication) (YouTube cast retrospective (fan timeline creator)).
- Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis’s future involvement in That ’90s Show beyond cameos (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
- Whether any other original cast members will return for future seasons of That ’90s Show (YouTube cast retrospective (fan timeline creator)).
The confirmed facts provide a solid foundation, while the uncertainties show how much remains in flux.
Quotes from the cast
“We genuinely are a family. It was a very special time in our lives.”
Wilmer Valderrama, speaking to Entertainment Tonight in 2023 (YouTube cast retrospective (fan timeline creator))
“I was 14 when I auditioned. I feel like I grew up on that set.”
Mila Kunis, commenting during a 2018 watch-along (Just Jared (entertainment news site))
The pattern from both quotes is clear: the cast’s bond wasn’t just for cameras. That real friendship explains why the show still feels authentic—and why fans keep hoping for a full reunion.
The final picture
For fans of That ’70s Show, the story of its cast is a mix of triumph and tragedy. Most of the young actors built substantial careers, while the adult cast found renewed success. The spin-off That ’90s Show keeps the Forman household alive, but the original gang has scattered. Topher Grace’s post-show choices exemplify that transition, but the cast’s collective chemistry remains the show’s enduring asset.
Frequently asked questions
Is there going to be a That ’70s Show reunion?
No official full-cast reunion has been announced. However, several cast members reunited for That ’90s Show and have expressed interest in doing more together.
Why did Topher Grace leave That ’70s Show?
Grace left after season 7 to pursue film roles. He said he felt it was the right time to move on (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
Who was the oldest cast member of That ’70s Show?
Kurtwood Smith (born 1943) was the oldest at premiere, aged 55. Debra Jo Rupp (born 1951) was 47.
Did Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher meet on That ’70s Show?
Yes. They met on set when Kunis was 14 and Kutcher 20. They later married in 2015 (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
What happened to Danny Masterson from That ’70s Show?
Masterson was convicted in 2023 of two counts of rape and sentenced to 30 years to life (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
How old was Mila Kunis when That ’70s Show started?
She was 14 at her audition and turned 15 during the first season (Just Jared (entertainment news site)).
Who played Fez on That ’70s Show?
Wilmer Valderrama played Fez for all eight seasons (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
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