The Tragic And Triumphant: Where The 'That '70s Show' Cast Is Now In 2024

The iconic basement gang from Point Place, Wisconsin, remains one of the most recognizable ensembles in television history, but nearly two decades after the final episode of That '70s Show, the cast's lives have taken dramatically different paths. As of late 2024, the stars are navigating a mix of high-profile career resurgence, major personal changes, and, in one tragic instance, a devastating legal reality that has fundamentally altered the legacy of the beloved sitcom.

The spotlight on the original cast has intensified with the Netflix sequel, That '90s Show, which brought back many familiar faces. However, recent announcements about the sequel's future and the cast's individual projects—from Wilmer Valderrama's long-running TV success to Topher Grace's new villainous turn—prove that for this group, the circle of life continues to spin far beyond Eric Forman's basement.

The Original 'That '70s Show' Main Cast: A Full Profile

The core group of teenagers and the two main parents defined a generation of comedy. Here is a complete biographical profile of the six main young stars and the two central parental figures.

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• Topher Grace (Eric Forman)
  • Birth Name: Christopher John Grace
  • Date of Birth: July 12, 1978
  • Birthplace: New York City, New York
  • Role in Sequel: Guest Star in That '90s Show (Season 1)
  • Notable Works: Spider-Man 3, BlacKkKlansman, Home Economics
• Mila Kunis (Jackie Burkhart)
  • Birth Name: Milena Markovna Kunis
  • Date of Birth: August 14, 1983
  • Birthplace: Chernivtsi, Ukrainian SSR (now Ukraine)
  • Role in Sequel: Guest Star in That '90s Show (Season 1)
  • Notable Works: Black Swan, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Voice of Meg in Family Guy
• Ashton Kutcher (Michael Kelso)
  • Birth Name: Christopher Ashton Kutcher
  • Date of Birth: February 7, 1978
  • Birthplace: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
  • Role in Sequel: Guest Star in That '90s Show (Season 1)
  • Notable Works: Dude, Where's My Car?, The Butterfly Effect, Two and a Half Men
• Laura Prepon (Donna Pinciotti)
  • Birth Name: Laura Helene Prepon
  • Date of Birth: March 7, 1980
  • Birthplace: Watchung, New Jersey
  • Role in Sequel: Recurring Role in That '90s Show (Season 1 & 2)
  • Notable Works: Orange Is the New Black, The Girl on the Train
• Wilmer Valderrama (Fez)
  • Birth Name: Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama
  • Date of Birth: January 30, 1980
  • Birthplace: Miami, Florida
  • Role in Sequel: Guest Star in That '90s Show (Season 1)
  • Notable Works: NCIS, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, Handy Manny (Voice)
• Danny Masterson (Steven Hyde)
  • Birth Name: Daniel Peter Masterson
  • Date of Birth: March 13, 1976
  • Birthplace: Long Island, New York
  • Role in Sequel: Absent from That '90s Show
  • Notable Works: The Ranch, Men at Work
• Kurtwood Smith (Red Forman) & Debra Jo Rupp (Kitty Forman)
  • Role in Sequel: Main Cast and Executive Producers of That '90s Show
  • Status: The anchors of the sequel series.

The That '90s Show Divide: Who's Out and Who's Staying

The Netflix sequel, That '90s Show, served as a highly anticipated reunion for the original cast, but the 2024 updates reveal a major shift in the dynamic for the upcoming second season.

Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp: The Steadfast Anchors

The heart of the new series remains firmly with Kurtwood Smith (Red Forman) and Debra Jo Rupp (Kitty Forman), who reprise their roles as grandparents to Eric and Donna’s daughter, Leia Forman. They are the only original main cast members to sign on as series regulars and are also executive producers, ensuring the show maintains its classic tone and humor. Their chemistry continues to be the foundation for the spinoff, bridging the gap between the two decades.

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Laura Prepon: The Loyal Returnee

Laura Prepon (Donna Pinciotti) is confirmed to return for That '90s Show Season 2, maintaining her connection to the Forman household and her role as Leia's mother. Prepon has been balancing her acting career with her entrepreneurial work, including her popular PrepOn Kitchen cookware line. However, 2024 brought a significant personal change, with reports indicating her separation from actor Ben Foster.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher: Opting Out of Season 2

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Despite their fan-favorite cameo in the first season, Mila Kunis (Jackie Burkhart) and Ashton Kutcher (Michael Kelso) have confirmed they will not be returning for That '90s Show Season 2. The couple, who married in 2015 and share two children, Wyatt and Dimitri, have been focusing on their family life and business ventures. Kutcher, in particular, has devoted significant time to his venture capital firm, A-Grade Investments, in addition to his film projects.

From Point Place to Hollywood: The Cast's Latest 2024 Career Moves

Beyond the nostalgic returns, the cast members are making headlines with major new projects in film, television, and publishing, proving their longevity in the entertainment industry.

Topher Grace's New "Villain Era" and Netflix Series

Topher Grace (Eric Forman) is arguably experiencing one of the biggest career shifts of the group. Known for his "nice guy" roles, Grace has embraced a "villain era" in his recent work. In 2024, he starred in the horror thriller Heretic and joined the cast of the upcoming Netflix series The Waterfront, where he is set to play a clear antagonist. Additionally, he is featured in the Mel Gibson-directed film Flight Risk, co-starring Mark Wahlberg.

Wilmer Valderrama's Dual-Threat Career

Wilmer Valderrama (Fez) has maintained a strong presence on network television, currently starring as Special Agent Nick Torres in the long-running CBS drama NCIS. His production company, WV Entertainment, is also highly active, with his most anticipated project being the development of a live-action Zorro series for Disney Branded Television. In a more personal move, Valderrama is set to release his debut memoir, An American Story: Everyone's Invited, in 2024.

The Elephant in the Room: Danny Masterson's Legal Status

The most somber and unavoidable update for the cast is the legal status of Danny Masterson (Steven Hyde). Masterson was convicted and subsequently sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the forcible rape of two women, with the sentencing taking place in late 2023. Due to the legal proceedings, Masterson was absent from That '90s Show, and his character, Steven Hyde, was not mentioned in the first season. This tragic outcome is a definitive, unchangeable chapter in the history of the show and its cast.

The Final Word on the Reunion and That '90s Show

While the original cast members have expressed enduring friendships and a shared love for their time on That '70s Show, the full-scale reunion many fans hoped for is unlikely to materialize.

The current reality is that That '90s Show has been canceled, meaning the upcoming season (Part 3, or Season 2) will be the final installment of the sequel series. This makes the confirmed appearances of Laura Prepon, Kurtwood Smith, and Debra Jo Rupp in the final season even more significant for fans seeking closure.

From the enduring success of the Forman parents to the high-profile film careers of Kunis and Kutcher, and the tragic circumstances surrounding Masterson, the stars of That '70s Show continue to generate headlines. Their collective story remains a powerful, often complicated, example of how a beloved ensemble cast can evolve in the unpredictable world of Hollywood.