Then and Now: That 70s Show

“We’re all alright, we’re all alright… Hello Wisconsin!” With a simple title and heaps of nostalgia it was obvious that a show about a bunch a wannabe wild but unfortunately geeky teenagers from Point Place, Wisconsin would be an instant hit. They made retro cool before retro was considered cool and took a new generation back to a decade that brought us Bohemian Rhapsody, Star Wars and Fawlty Towers. Did you know that it has been 10 years since the cast of That 70s show climbed out of their platform boots, straightened their Farah Fawcett curls and put away their flared jeans? Since then many of your favourite stars have gone on to global success on both the big and small screen.

So as part of our popular Then and Now series, we take a look at what the cast of That 70s Show are up to now-a-days. Think of it as our version of That 2016 Show…

Topher Grace as Eric Forman

Born Christopher John Grace but taking on a twist to a nickname, Topher Grace grew up in Connecticut with quite the A-list school life. His babysitter was Chloe Sevigny and he was school friends with Kate Bosworth. Topher’s first acting role was the lead role of Eric Forman in That 70s Show and quickly became the poster boy for loveable nerds everywhere. He left the show at the end of the seventh series to pursue a movie career. He went on to star in plenty of sickly rom coms but our favourite role to date was went he went on to play 8ball’s favourite Spidey villain in the over complicated but underrated Spiderman 3.

Laura Prepon as Donna Pinciotti

The ultimate girl next door (we dare you to name anyone better), Donna Pinciotti was the red headed crush of guys not only in Point Place, Wisconsin but worldwide. Since her time on That 70s Show Laura Prepon appeared as small role parts in multiple TV shows including How I Met Your Mother and House. But her biggest role to date came in 2013 when she lost the red hair and took on the role of Alex Vause in a little Netflix series you may have heard called Orange is the New Black.

Danny Masterson as Steven Hyde

Danny Masterson grew up in quite the famous family. Growing up with one brother, two half-brothers and a half-sister each of his siblings (bar one) have gone on to appear on TV and in movies, his sister Alanna Masterson plays Tara Chambler in The Walking Dead for those of you wondering. Since his time on the show Danny has gone on to become a DJ and entrepreneur, but made his return to acting along with his That 70s Show cast mate Ashton Kutcher in the Netflix hit The Ranch.

Ashton Kutcher as Michael Kelso

A former model and another member of the That 70s Show cast to not go by their birth name of Christopher Ashton Kutcher played the confident but simple Michael Kelso for the best part of all eight seasons of That 70s Show. Since his time on the show went on to appear in every “sort of ok” rom com in the mid 00’s. From What Happens in Vegas to Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve, his movie credentials don’t really scream Academy Award Winner. Ashton’s success came on TV in his hosting and producing role in the celebrity prank show Punk’d and as the new Charlie Sheen in the bromantic comedy Two and a Half Men. Most recently, apart from marrying and having a baby with co-star Mila Kunis, Kutcher appeared alongside Danny Masterson in the Netflix hit The Ranch.

Mila Kunis as Jackie Burkhart

A 14 year old Mila Kunis won the role of spoilt little rich girl Jackie Burkhart after lying to producers about her age. Since then she has gone on to be one of Hollywood’s favourite A-listers with roles in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Black Swan and Friends with Benefits making her one of the only members of the That 70s Show crew to transition from a TV to movie career successfully. She took over the voiceover role of scapegoat Meg in Family Guy which is a role that she continues to play to this day. She dated Macaulay Culkin for a few years before marrying Ashton Kutcher last year.

Wilmer Valderrama as Fez

The foreign exchange student of the group or FES, Wilmer Valderrama had audiences guessing Fez’s homeland for all eight series of That 70s Show. Since the show wrapped up in 2006, Wilmer went on the produce and host the MTV show Yo Mamma for two years before finding his biggest success in children’s television voice overs. Yes parents that is Wilmer you can hear in the Disney channel show Handy Manny.

Kurtwood Smith as Red Forman

Clarence Boddicker, sorry Kurtwood Smith appeared in pretty much everything in the 80s and 90s. From Rambo III to Dead Poet’s Society he was the go to angry movie guy for the best part of two decades. Since his time as hard faced Red Forman Smith’s only notable role came as Senator Blaine Mayer in season 7 of 24.

Debra Jo Rupp as Kitty Forman

Originally a stage actress with quite the distinctive voice Kitty Forman is Debra Jo Rupp’s biggest role to date. Since her time on That 70s Show she has appeared in many straight to DVD or straight to TV movies playing the stereotypical mother figure, this along with a lot of voice over work has kept the former Mrs Forman busy for the last decade. She was last seen on an off Broadway production Becoming Dr Ruth.

For anyone born into the decade that gave us glam rock, Saturday Night Fever and disco this great new Manufactured in the Seventies t-shirt makes an ideal present for that special person in your life of a certain age.

Let us know your favourite moments and characters from That 70s Show in the comments below, or on social media. Head on over to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and let’s get discussing!