Ashton Kutcher

NEW YORK, NY, USA – SEPTEMBER 23, 2010: Ashton Kutcher in attendance for Annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). – Photo By: Kristin Callahan / Deposit Photos

Ashton Kutcher (born February 7, 1978) is an American actor, film producer, and venture capitalist who rose to prominence through his role as Michael Kelso on the television series That ’70s Show (1998–2006) and Two and a Half Men (2011–2015). He also created, produced and hosted the popular MTV prank show Punk’d (2003–2012). He transitioned to a successful film career, appearing in Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000), Just Married (2003),  The Butterfly Effect (2004), No Strings Attached (2011),  and Jobs (2013).

In tandem with his entertainment career, Kutcher established himself as a venture capitalist, co-founding A-Grade Investments and later Sound Ventures in 2015. His early investments in companies such as Skype, Airbnb, and Duolingo positioned him as one of Hollywood’s most successful investors in the tech sector.

Early Life and Acting Career

Kutcher was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Diane and Larry Kutcher. Raised in a conservative Catholic household, Kutcher experienced early adversity due to his twin brother Michael’s severe health issues, including cerebral palsy and a heart transplant. These challenges shaped his youth, contributing to a period of rebellious behavior in high school, where he was arrested for burglary.

After briefly studying biochemical engineering at the University of Iowa, Kutcher was discovered by a talent scout, which led to a successful modeling career and his eventual move to Los Angeles.

Personal Life and Relationships

Kutcher was married to actress Demi Moore from 2005 to 2013. Their marriage ended due to Kutcher’s widely publicized infidelity. He later married Mila Kunis, his That ’70s Show co-star, in 2015. They have two children and reside in a sustainable farmhouse in Beverly Hills.

While Kutcher has cultivated an image of activism, particularly through his co-founding of Thorn, a nonprofit organization focused on combating child sex trafficking through technology, his personal associations have raised questions about the authenticity of his philanthropic endeavors. Thorn, co-founded with Demi Moore, positions itself as a leader in addressing child exploitation.

Kutcher’s Questionable Friendships

However, Kutcher’s public support for convicted rapist and That ’70s Show co-star Danny Masterson casts doubt on his commitment to such causes. Masterson was convicted of multiple counts of rape in 2023, and Kutcher, along with Kunis, provided character references to the court, describing Masterson as a person of “decency” and “generosity.” The release of these letters provoked widespread criticism, given Kutcher’s involvement in Thorn and his public stance against sexual exploitation.

Further complicating his public image is Kutcher’s long friendship with Sean “Diddy” Combs. The pair touted themselves and their friend Jamie Foxx as “The New Rat Pack” to late night talkshow host James Corden.  Long-standing rumors of Combs misogyny and abusiveness came to a head when video footage of him assaulting his ex-partner Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura was aired on CNN. Combs faces criminal charges, including sex trafficking. The contrast between Kutcher’s personal associations and his leadership of Thorn has led many to question the genuineness of his advocacy work. Following the backlash over his support for Masterson, Kutcher stepped down as chairman of Thorn in 2023, but the incident left a lasting mark on his reputation.

Image by Deposit Photos.