Jackie Burkhart from ‘That ’70s Show’ Grown Up: Mila Kunis (42) Then and Now
Mila Kunis, now 42, is best known for her role as Jackie Burkhart on the hit sitcom That ’70s Show, but her journey to Hollywood started long before she became a household name. Kunis began acting at the age of nine, when her father enrolled her in classes at the Beverly Hills Studios.
It was there that she met Susan Curtis, who would later become her manager. Her first audition landed her a Barbie commercial, and soon after, she appeared in a commercial for Lisa Frank products.
Kunis’s first television appearances came in 1994 on Days of Our Lives, followed by small roles on Baywatch, 7th Heaven, and Walker, Texas Ranger. She also had supporting parts in films like Santa with Muscles and Gia, playing the young version of Angelina Jolie’s character. Early on, she auditioned for a leading role in Make a Wish, Molly but was instead cast in a smaller part.
Everything changed for Kunis in 1998 when she was cast as Jackie Burkhart on That ’70s Show. At just 14 years old, she had to lie about her age because the role required actors to be at least 18. Even after the producers learned her real age, they kept her in the role, believing she was the perfect fit. That ’70s Show ran for eight seasons and launched Kunis into the spotlight. She won Young Star Awards in 1999 and 2000 for her work on the show.
Kunis’s performance on That ’70s Show also helped her land the voice role of Meg Griffin on Family Guy in 1999, taking over from Lacey Chabert. Creator Seth MacFarlane said, “There was something very natural about Mila…you were listening to a 15-year-old, which made Meg feel real.” She has continued to voice Meg for over two decades and was nominated for an Annie Award for her work in 2007.
After establishing herself on television, Kunis began taking more film roles in the 2000s. She appeared in Get Over It and starred in American Psycho 2, a film she later admitted embarrassed her. She also acted in Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Moving McAllister, and After Sex, gaining experience and learning the film industry.
Her breakthrough came in 2008 with Forgetting Sarah Marshall, where her improvisation and comic timing earned praise from critics like Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal, who noted her “fresh beauty and focused energy.”
In the same year, she played Mona Sax in Max Payne, training in martial arts and guns for the role. Although critics questioned her casting, director John Moore said, “Mila just bowled us over…she just wears Mona so well.” She continued to build her film career with Extract, The Book of Eli, and Date Night, showing she could handle both comedy and action roles.
The 2010 film Black Swan marked a major turning point. Kunis trained intensely, including ballet and a strict diet, to play a rival dancer. Her performance earned her multiple award nominations, including a Golden Globe, and won her the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Venice Film Festival. She later starred in Friends with Benefits, Ted, and Oz the Great and Powerful, further proving her range in comedy, action, and fantasy films.
Kunis also explored producing and launched Orchard Farm Productions in 2014. She continued appearing in comedies like Bad Moms and thrillers like Luckiest Girl Alive. She has become a respected figure in Hollywood, both in front of and behind the camera.
On a personal note, Kunis married That ’70s Show co-star Ashton Kutcher in 2015, and the couple has two children. She has spoken publicly about health struggles, including chronic eye issues, and maintains a busy life balancing family and career.
Looking back, That ’70s Show was more than just a stepping stone,it shaped Kunis’s career. It gave her exposure, acting experience, and the chance to develop her signature comedic timing. The show opened doors to voice acting, film, and long-term fame.
Kunis has shown incredible growth from a child actor to a versatile Hollywood star. That ’70s Show gave her the platform, but her talent and hard work carried her further. What do you think about Mila Kunis’s career path? Share your thoughts in the comments.