Behind The Scenes Secrets From 'That '70s Show' Most People Don't Know
That '70s Show began in 1998 and ran on Fox for eight solid seasons. The characters from each '70's Show season grew from silly teens to silly adults while the public watched. The transformations were incredible, and stars from the series shook Hollywood in unprecedented ways. Ashton Kutcher played goofball Michael Kelso on the show, but he later morphed into one of the most attractive and sought after cinematic actors. Wilmer Valderrama portrayed lovable foreigner Fez, but he eventually explored the singing world and the comedic sphere.
In addition to molding young actors' talents, the American sitcom also produced some pretty nostalgic and mismatched couples. That '70s Show celebrated youth, friendship, and Midwestern life, making it seem like even miscreants could find true love. Many '70s Show fans - including the ones who diligently discover the show's historical inaccuracies - believe that they know everything about the period comedy, but the facts below will leave you in awe.
Mila Kunis Lied About Her Age To Get On The Show
All the actresses who auditioned for the role of Jackie Burkhart were supposed to be at least 18 years old. Mila Kunis was only 14 when she auditioned, but she lied in order to land the part. She explained her fib during a 2012 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, noting:
"Legally I was 14, but I told them I was a little bit older... I told them I was gonna be 18, which is not technically a lie, cause at one point... I was gonna be 18."
It wasn't long before That '70s Show producers figured out Kunis's real age. However, the actress was such a great fit for the part that they bent the rules. Kunis played Burkhart for eight seasons.
Donna Had A Sister Who Appeared In One Episode
Remember Donna's sister? Yeah, neither does anyone else. Amanda Fuller played Tina Pinciotti in the fifth episode of the series, but she never appeared again. She was mentioned one other time in "Vanstock," the sixth episode of Season 2, but after that, nothing. Turns out, the show creators wanted Donna to remain an only child.
Mila Kunis Shared Her First Kiss With Ashton Kutcher
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis may have married in 2015, but when they played boyfriend and girlfriend on That '70s Show, they were just good friends. Romance probably didn't spark for the couple until years later because of their five year age difference. Kunis mentioned that she shared her first kiss with her goofy costar:
“My first real kiss ever was with him on the show. And when That ’70s Show had a prom, my date for the prom turned out to be my fiancee. We can honestly say that we went to prom together! Although I do think that in that episode I went home with someone else. We don’t talk about that part.”
Tommy Chong Missed A Season Because He Was In Jail For Selling Drug Paraphernalia
Tommy Chong's lovable, stoner character Leo disappeared in Season 5, only to saunter back into the cast the next year. If you wondered why they would remove such a popular character, it's because they had no choice. Chong's company Nice Dreams was selling marijuana paraphernalia, so the DEA cracked down on him hard, during an operation they ironically named "Pipe Dreams." Chong served about nine months before he could resume his role on That '70s Show.
Eric's Sister Got Replaced Because Actress Lisa Robin Kelly Struggled With Addiction
Actress Lisa Robin Kelly originally played Eric's older sister, Laurie. She struggled with alcohol abuse, however, and had to leave the sitcom in 2003 during Season 3. Kelly came back for a few episodes in Season 5, but she was ultimately replaced by Christina Moore at the start of Season 6. The troubled actress admitted, “With That ’70s Show I was guilty of a drinking problem... And I ran.”
Unfortunately, Kelly passed away at 43 in August 2013. The Los Angeles County coroner's department said the actress died from drug intoxication.
Donna's Mom Disappeared From The Show Because Tanya Roberts's Husband Was Dying
Midge (Tanya Roberts) left husband Bob and daughter Donna high and dry in the fourth season of the show. It was a shock to everybody and managed to produce some real pathos. Unfortunately, Roberts's departure was necessary because her husband had terminal cancer in real life. She wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. It's too bad That '70s Show producers couldn't give Midge a more heroic departure.
