5 Shocking Secrets About Mila Kunis’s Time On That ’70s Show—Including The Lie That Launched Her Career

Mila Kunis’s portrayal of the spoiled but lovable Jackie Burkhart on That ’70s Show is one of the most iconic roles in sitcom history, yet the story behind her casting and her experience on the set is far more complex than most fans realize. Despite the show ending almost two decades ago, interest in the actress’s foundational role remains high, especially with the recent spin-off, That '90s Show.

As of December 2025, Kunis is a global star and a successful producer, but her career began with a shocking secret that she kept from casting directors, a story that continues to be a major talking point in Hollywood. Her journey from a 14-year-old immigrant to a household name is a testament to her talent and the enduring power of the Fox sitcom.

Mila Kunis: A Brief Biography and Career Profile

Mila Kunis, born Milena Markovna Kunis, is a Ukrainian-born American actress who became a star at a remarkably young age. Her career has spanned over two decades, transitioning seamlessly from television sitcoms to major film roles and voice acting, cementing her status as one of Hollywood's most versatile performers. Here is a snapshot of her professional life:

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• Full Name: Milena Markovna Kunis
• Date of Birth: August 14, 1983
• Birthplace: Chernivtsi, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Ukraine)
• Immigration: Moved to Los Angeles, California, with her family in 1991 at the age of seven.
• Breakout Role: Jacqueline "Jackie" Beulah Burkhart on That ’70s Show (1998–2006).
• Voice Acting Landmark: Voice of Meg Griffin on the animated series Family Guy (1999–present).
• Major Film Roles: Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), Black Swan (2010), Friends with Benefits (2011), Ted (2012), Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), and Luckiest Girl Alive (2022).
• Recent Projects: Starred in the film Goodrich (released in 2024) and is set to appear in the highly anticipated Rian Johnson film Wake Up Dead Man in 2025.
• Spouse: Ashton Kutcher (married 2015), her former on-screen love interest, Michael Kelso.
• Estimated Net Worth (2025): Approximately $75 million.

The Infamous Lie: How 14-Year-Old Mila Kunis Landed Jackie Burkhart

The story of how Mila Kunis secured the role of Jackie Burkhart is one of Hollywood’s most enduring tales of youthful deception. The casting call for That ’70s Show specified that all actors must be at least 18 years old. Kunis was only 14 at the time.

During the audition process, Kunis was asked about her age. She famously told the casting directors she would be 18, but she omitted the crucial detail that she would only be 18 by the time the show concluded its run, not when filming began.

The truth eventually came out. Kunis herself confirmed in a 2022 interview with Vanity Fair that she did indeed lie about her age. However, she clarified that the show’s creators, Bonnie and Terry Turner, were made aware of her real age before the pilot was shot.

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The producers saw her talent and believed she was the perfect fit for the role of Jackie Burkhart. They made the decision to keep her on the cast, a move that launched her career and defined the show’s core ensemble, which included Eric Forman (Topher Grace), Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon), Steven Hyde (Danny Masterson), and Fez (Wilmer Valderrama). The producers' willingness to look past the age requirement proved to be a pivotal moment for the series.

The Shocking Truth: Why Kunis Has Never Watched a Full Episode

Perhaps the most surprising revelation about Kunis’s time on That ’70s Show came during a recent interview while promoting her 2024 film, Goodrich. Despite starring in all eight seasons and 200 episodes of the iconic sitcom, Mila Kunis confessed that she has never actually seen a full episode of the show.

Kunis explained that she typically avoids watching herself on screen. This is a common sentiment among actors, but it is particularly striking for a show that defined her teenage years. She spent nearly a decade of her life in the basement of Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty Forman (Debra Jo Rupp), yet she has never experienced the final, polished product as a viewer.

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The actress has, however, seen clips and outtakes, especially when they are shown in interviews or retrospectives. The emotional connection remains, but her perspective is purely from the behind-the-scenes experience, not the nostalgic lens of the audience. This detail adds a fascinating layer to the legacy of Jackie Burkhart, a character whose pop culture impact is immense, even for the woman who played her.

From Point Place to the '90s: The Kelso & Jackie Reunion Update

The enduring popularity of the original series led to the Netflix sequel, That '90s Show, which premiered in 2023. The new series centers on Leia Forman, the daughter of Eric and Donna, visiting her grandparents, Red and Kitty, in Point Place, Wisconsin.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher delighted fans by reprising their roles as Jackie Burkhart and Michael Kelso for a special guest appearance in the first season. Their characters are married with a son named Jay Kelso, who is one of the new main characters.

The cameo was a nostalgic highlight, providing a satisfying update on the couple who started as the most unlikely pair on the show. Kunis noted that filming the reunion with Kutcher, whom she met and shared her first kiss with on the original set, was a surreal and heartwarming experience.

However, for fans hoping for more of the original cast, there is a recent update: Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher will not be returning for That '90s Show Season 2. Kunis confirmed that due to scheduling and creative decisions, the couple will not be making an appearance in the upcoming season, leaving the spotlight firmly on the new generation of Point Place teens.

Mila Kunis’s Lasting Impact Beyond Jackie Burkhart

While That ’70s Show was the foundation of her career, Mila Kunis successfully leveraged the role of Jackie Burkhart into a diverse and highly profitable career. Her immediate transition to voice acting as Meg Griffin on Family Guy has provided her with a constant, high-profile role since 1999.

Her film career took off with critically acclaimed performances, most notably her Golden Globe-nominated role in Black Swan. She has since starred in and produced a variety of projects, demonstrating her range far beyond the high-pitched, fast-talking teen from Wisconsin.

Kunis's story—from a young immigrant who barely spoke English to a successful actress who lied about her age for her big break—is a powerful narrative of ambition and opportunity. As she continues to take on new and challenging roles, such as her upcoming appearance in the ensemble cast of the highly anticipated film Wake Up Dead Man (2025), her legacy remains inextricably linked to the basement in Point Place where it all began.