5 Shocking Transformations: Topher Grace’s Unexpected Shift To Hollywood Villainy And His Massive 2025–2026 Slate

Topher Grace, the actor forever etched in pop culture history as the affable Eric Forman, is currently undergoing one of the most compelling and successful career reboots in Hollywood, trading in his lovable sitcom persona for complex, often sinister, roles on the big screen. As of December 2025, his professional focus is firmly on a series of high-profile, intense film projects slated for 2025 and 2026, solidifying his status as a versatile dramatic actor rather than just a nostalgic cameo star. This new phase sees him collaborating with major directors and starring opposite A-list talent in thrillers and black comedies, proving his ability to completely shed the shadow of his breakout role.

This article dives deep into the latest updates, revealing the full scope of his busy schedule, his family life with wife Ashley Hinshaw, his surprising net worth, and how he is successfully navigating the post-sitcom landscape by embracing the role of the antagonist. His upcoming slate, particularly the Mel Gibson-directed thriller *Flight Risk* and the A24 black comedy *How To Make A Killing*, marks a significant and exciting turning point for the 47-year-old star.

Topher Grace: Full Biography and Career Profile

Christopher John "Topher" Grace has built a career defined by his sharp wit and ability to play both the charming lead and the unsettling supporting role. After his unexpected discovery in a high school play, his career trajectory has been anything but conventional.

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• Full Name: Christopher John Grace
• Date of Birth: July 12, 1978
• Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.
• Wife: Ashley Hinshaw (married 2016)
• Children: Two (Daughter, Mabel Jane, and a second child, whose name has not been widely publicized)
• Breakout Role: Eric Forman in the Fox sitcom *That '70s Show* (1998–2005)
• Notable Film Roles: Eddie Brock / Venom in *Spider-Man 3*, Carter Duryea in *In Good Company*, David Duke in *BlacKkKlansman*, and Seth in *Traffic*.
• Estimated Net Worth (2025): $14 Million.

Grace's early career was marked by his successful transition from television to film, a move that is notoriously difficult for sitcom stars. His decision to leave *That '70s Show* after the seventh season to pursue a film career, including his controversial role in *Spider-Man 3*, demonstrated a clear ambition to diversify his portfolio beyond the basement in Point Place.

The New Era: Topher Grace's Major Upcoming Film Roles (2025–2026)

The next two years are set to be the busiest and most diverse period of Topher Grace’s career, with a lineup of projects that firmly establish his new identity as a dramatic and thriller actor. The focus is on intense, high-stakes narratives, a complete departure from his comedic roots. This slate is the core of his current professional focus.

The High-Stakes Thriller: Flight Risk (January 2025)

The first major release is the action-thriller *Flight Risk*, directed by Mel Gibson, which is scheduled for release on January 24, 2025. This film is a critical entry in his new career phase, as Grace takes on the role of a fugitive being transported to trial.

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He stars alongside Mark Wahlberg, who plays the pilot, and Michelle Dockery, who plays an Air Marshal responsible for the transfer. The plot revolves around the dangerous journey, where the pilot is secretly plotting to kill the fugitive. This role offers Grace a chance to play a character under extreme pressure, highlighting his move toward more sinister, complex, and high-octane material.

The A24 Black Comedy: How To Make A Killing (2026)

Topher Grace is also set to appear in the highly anticipated A24 black comedy thriller, *How To Make A Killing*, which is currently slated for a 2026 release. He joins an ensemble cast that includes Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley, and Ed Harris.

The film, which is loosely inspired by a 1949 novel, centers on a blue-collar protagonist who resorts to extreme measures to reclaim his inheritance from his obscenely wealthy family. While the specifics of Grace's role have not been fully detailed, his involvement in a darkly comedic project from a studio known for prestige and boundary-pushing content signals his strong standing in the independent film world.

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From Eric Forman to a Hollywood Villain: A Career Evolution

Topher Grace's most significant evolution has been his willingness to embrace villainous and morally ambiguous roles. This shift has not only revitalized his career but has also allowed him to showcase a dramatic range that was often overshadowed by his sitcom fame.

His turn as the white supremacist David Duke in Spike Lee's Oscar-winning film *BlacKkKlansman* was a critical highlight, demonstrating his capability to embody a truly unsettling character. The success of this role opened the door for more complex, villain-centric parts.

The actor has openly discussed the "seductive" nature of playing a bad guy, noting that these roles are often more fun and offer a greater challenge than playing the hero. This mindset is clearly reflected in his upcoming slate, where he is frequently cast as the antagonist or the morally compromised character.

The That '90s Show Cameo and Future

Fans were thrilled to see Grace reprise his role as Eric Forman in the premiere of the sequel series *That '90s Show*. However, his return has been limited. The showrunners have largely focused on establishing a new ensemble cast, and scheduling conflicts, combined with his busy film slate, have made a full-time return impractical.

While the door is always open for a guest appearance, Topher Grace’s current professional trajectory suggests that his priority is now firmly in the film world, particularly in the dramatic and thriller genres. His brief return was a nostalgic nod, but his future lies in new, challenging roles.

Personal Life, Net Worth, and Family: What He’s Doing Now

Despite his busy professional schedule, Topher Grace maintains a relatively private personal life, centered around his wife, actress Ashley Hinshaw. The couple married in 2016 and have since welcomed two children.

They welcomed their daughter, Mabel Jane Grace, a few years after their wedding, and a second child during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grace has spoken about the challenges and joys of being a "New Dad" while balancing his demanding acting career, a sentiment that resonates with many working parents in the industry.

In terms of his financial standing, Topher Grace has an estimated net worth of $14 million as of 2025. This wealth has been accumulated through his long-running television career, diverse film roles, and strategic investments. While he may not be the wealthiest cast member of *That '70s Show*, his consistent work in both mainstream and independent projects has ensured a robust and stable financial portfolio.

From the basement in Point Place to the cockpit of a Mel Gibson thriller, Topher Grace has successfully engineered a dramatic and compelling career transformation. His upcoming projects for 2025 and 2026 prove that he is a versatile and bankable star whose best work may still be ahead of him. Fans and critics alike are eagerly anticipating his next move as a leading man in the world of high-stakes drama.