The Shocking Truth: How Old Was Mila Kunis When She Started That '70s Show? (The Lie That Launched A Career)

Few Hollywood secrets are as enduring and charming as the one surrounding Mila Kunis's true age when she landed her breakout role as Jackie Burkhart on *That '70s Show*. The story of a 14-year-old actress securing a role explicitly written for an 18-year-old is a legendary tale of ambition, a clever half-truth, and an undeniable talent that ultimately convinced the show's creators to bend their own rules. As of the current date, December 15, 2025, Kunis is 42, a seasoned veteran who looks back on her time in Point Place, Wisconsin, as the foundation of her entire life and career, a time that began with a white lie.

The truth is that Milena "Mila" Kunis was barely a teenager when she walked into the audition room, setting the stage for a television phenomenon that would run for eight seasons and define the careers of its young cast. This article delves into the exact timeline of her casting, the famous lie she told, the reaction of the producers, and how her remarkably young age shaped the dynamic of the iconic ensemble cast.

Mila Kunis: Biography and Current Profile

Mila Kunis has built an impressive career spanning three decades, transitioning from a beloved teen sitcom star to a critically acclaimed film actress and successful producer. Her journey began far from Hollywood.

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• Full Name: Milena Markovna Kunis
• Date of Birth: August 14, 1983
• Current Age (as of December 2025): 42 years old
• Birthplace: Chernivtsi, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Ukraine)
• Family Background: She is the daughter of Elvira, a physics teacher who ran a pharmacy, and Mark, a mechanical engineer and taxi driver. Her family moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1991 when she was seven years old, seeking better opportunities.
• Breakthrough Role: Jackie Burkhart on *That '70s Show* (1998–2006).
• Voice Role: She has famously voiced Meg Griffin on the animated series *Family Guy* since 1999.
• Notable Film Roles: *Forgetting Sarah Marshall* (2008), *Max Payne* (2008), *The Book of Eli* (2010), *Black Swan* (2010) (for which she received a Golden Globe nomination), and *Friends with Benefits* (2011).
• Marital Status: Married to former co-star Ashton Kutcher (Michael Kelso) since 2015. They have two children.
• Recent Work: She continues to work as an actress and producer, notably reprising her role as Jackie Burkhart in the Netflix sequel series *That '90s Show* (2023).

The Clever Lie: Mila Kunis’s True Age at Audition

The core of the story lies in the specific casting requirements for the role of Jackie Burkhart, the spoiled, fast-talking, and fashion-obsessed member of the group. The show's creators, Bonnie and Terry Turner, were looking for a young cast, but there was a crucial legal requirement: all actors needed to be at least 18 years old to avoid strict child labor laws and long hours on set.

When She Auditioned: 14 Years Old

Mila Kunis was just 14 years old when she first auditioned for the role in 1998. She was notably younger than the other main cast members, who were already legal adults or close to it: Ashton Kutcher (20), Danny Masterson (22), Laura Prepon (18), and Wilmer Valderrama (18).

The Infamous Half-Truth

Knowing the 18-year-old requirement, Kunis devised a brilliant, albeit technically dishonest, answer when asked about her age. Instead of giving her actual age, she simply told the casting directors, "I will be 18 on my birthday."

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This statement was true—she would, eventually, turn 18 on a birthday—but it cleverly omitted the fact that she was four years away from that milestone. The casting team, impressed by her talent and the way she embodied the character, either didn't press for details or initially accepted the ambiguous answer.

The Producers' Reaction: Why They Kept Her

The truth inevitably came out. Before production began, the creators, Bonnie and Terry Turner, learned that Kunis was only 14. However, by that point, the decision was essentially made: she was the perfect Jackie Burkhart, and they couldn't imagine anyone else in the role. The character was integral to the dynamic of the show, particularly as the love interest for Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) and later Steven Hyde (Danny Masterson).

The producers chose to keep her, demonstrating their belief in her star quality. They worked around the child labor laws, which required a tutor on set and limited working hours, to ensure she could continue. Her talent outweighed the legal hurdles, turning a potential disaster into a legendary Hollywood success story.

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Growing Up on Set: The Unique Experience of the Youngest Cast Member

Being the youngest cast member had a profound impact on Kunis's formative years. She essentially grew up on the set of *That '70s Show* from age 14 to 22, spending her entire adolescence in the company of older actors, which she has often credited with keeping her grounded and away from the typical pitfalls of child stardom.

The First Kiss: A True On-Screen Rite of Passage

Perhaps the most famous anecdote related to her young age is the story of her first kiss. Mila Kunis’s first-ever kiss happened on screen with her future husband, Ashton Kutcher, during the filming of the show's first season (Season 1, Episode 5, "Kiss Me Deadly"). Kunis was just 15 at the time, and Kutcher, who was 20, has openly discussed how awkward the experience was for both of them, knowing he was her first kiss.

This unique situation created a genuine, familial bond among the cast members. The older actors—especially Laura Prepon (Donna Pinciotti), Wilmer Valderrama (Fez), and Topher Grace (Eric Forman)—took on a protective, sibling-like role for the much younger Kunis. She has often spoken about how the supportive environment of the Fox series helped her navigate her teen years, providing a safe and professional space.

From Jackie to Meg: A Seamless Transition

The success of *That '70s Show* gave Kunis the platform to immediately transition into other major roles, most notably landing the voice role of Meg Griffin on the animated comedy *Family Guy* in 1999, just one year after the premiere of *That '70s Show*. This dual success solidified her as a fixture in Hollywood, proving that the producers' decision to overlook her age was one of the best casting choices in television history.

Today, the story of Mila Kunis's casting serves as a powerful reminder that talent often trumps technical requirements. Her youthful energy and perfect portrayal of Jackie Burkhart were essential to the show's success, making the clever lie she told at 14 the pivotal moment that launched her into superstardom. It’s a Hollywood tale that continues to fascinate fans of the beloved sitcom, a true testament to the enduring power of a great performance.