Jackie Burkhart from ‘That ’70s Show’ Grown Up: Mila Kunis (42) Then and Now

by

Mila Kunis, currently 42 years old, is widely recognized for playing Jackie Burkhart on the popular TV show That ’70s Show. However, her acting career began much earlier. She started taking classes at the Beverly Hills Studios when she was just nine years old, thanks to her father’s encouragement.

She met her future manager, Susan Curtis, during this time. Her career began with a Barbie commercial, quickly followed by an appearance in a Lisa Frank ad.

Mila Kunis began her acting career on television in 1994 with a role on Days of Our Lives. She then appeared in minor roles on popular shows like Baywatch, 7th Heaven, and Walker, Texas Ranger. She also had small parts in films such as Santa with Muscles and Gia, where she played a younger version of Angelina Jolie’s character. Early in her career, she auditioned for the main role in Make a Wish, Molly but ended up with a smaller part in the film.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mila Kunis (@milalkunis)

Mila Kunis’s career took off in 1998 when she landed the role of Jackie Burkhart on That ’70s Show. She was only 14 at the time and had to tell producers she was older, as the part required actors to be at least 18. Despite discovering her true age, the producers decided to keep her, feeling she was ideal for the role. The show ran for eight seasons and made Kunis a well-known actress, earning her Young Star Awards in both 1999 and 2000.

Mila Kunis’s role on That ’70s Show led to her being cast as the voice of Meg Griffin on Family Guy in 1999, replacing Lacey Chabert. Creator Seth MacFarlane praised Kunis’s natural ability, noting she sounded convincingly like a teenager, which brought authenticity to the character. She has voiced Meg for over 20 years and received an Annie Award nomination in 2007 for her performance.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mila Kunis (@milalkunis)

Following her success on television, Mila Kunis started appearing in more movies in the 2000s. While she gained experience with roles in films like Get Over It and American Psycho 2 (a film she later said she regretted being a part of), she also appeared in Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Moving McAllister, and After Sex, all of which helped her learn the ropes of the film industry.

Mila Kunis gained widespread recognition in 2008 with the film Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Critics, including Joe Morgenstern from The Wall Street Journal, particularly praised her natural comedic talent and vibrant on-screen presence, describing her as having “fresh beauty and focused energy.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mila Kunis (@milalkunis)

2008 was a busy year for Mila Kunis. She really transformed herself for Max Payne, diving into martial arts and firearms training to play the character Mona Sax. There was some initial skepticism about her being cast, but director John Moore was a huge advocate, saying she absolutely owned the role. From there, she kept the momentum going with films like Extract, The Book of Eli, and Date Night, proving she wasn’t just capable of action, but could deliver a solid comedic performance too. It was clear she was quickly becoming a versatile and reliable actress.

Natalie Portman’s 2010 film, Black Swan, was a significant moment in her career. To convincingly portray a competitive ballerina, she dedicated herself to intense ballet training and a rigorous diet. Her performance received widespread recognition, including a Golden Globe nomination and the Marcello Mastroianni Award from the Venice Film Festival. She continued to showcase her versatility in popular films like Friends with Benefits, Ted, and Oz the Great and Powerful, demonstrating her ability to excel in comedies, action movies, and fantasy adventures.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mila Kunis (@milalkunis)

Mila Kunis expanded her work into producing, starting her own production company, Orchard Farm Productions, in 2014. She continued to act in popular comedies such as Bad Moms and thrillers like Luckiest Girl Alive, establishing herself as a well-respected talent in Hollywood, both as an actress and a producer.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, her co-star from That ’70s Show, got married in 2015 and have two children together. She’s also been open about her health, including dealing with long-term eye problems, and juggles the demands of both her family and her acting career.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mila Kunis (@milalkunis)

Looking back, That ’70s Show wasn’t just an early role for Mila Kunis—it really launched her career. The show gave her valuable experience, helped her hone her comedic skills, and brought her to a wider audience. It ultimately led to opportunities in voice acting, movies, and lasting success.

Read More

2026-03-18 14:16