Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher is an American actor, producer and technology investor who first became known as a television and film star in the early 2000s and later built a prominent second career backing technology startups. He combined a run of popular comedies with a high-profile presence in early-stage venture investing.

Early life

Christopher Ashton Kutcher was born on February 7, 1978, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and grew up in the nearby town of Homestead. He has a twin brother and has spoken publicly about his family, including his brother's experience with cerebral palsy. Kutcher initially enrolled at the University of Iowa to study biochemical engineering before being discovered as a model and moving into entertainment, working in modeling and commercial assignments before pursuing acting.

Career

Kutcher's breakthrough came with the sitcom That '70s Show, in which he played Michael Kelso across the program's long run beginning in the late 1990s. The role established him as a comedic lead and led to film work, including comedies such as Dude, Where's My Car? and later romantic comedies including Just Married, A Lot Like Love, What Happens in Vegas and No Strings Attached. He also took on dramatic roles, notably in The Butterfly Effect, and portrayed Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in the 2013 biographical film Jobs.

In addition to acting, Kutcher created and hosted the hidden-camera prank series Punk'd, which became a signature project and a cultural touchstone of the era. He later joined the cast of Two and a Half Men, taking over as a lead following a major cast change, and subsequently starred in and produced the comedy series The Ranch.

Recent work

Beyond entertainment, Kutcher became widely known as a technology investor. Through investment vehicles including A-Grade Investments and later the firm Sound Ventures, which he co-founded with business partner Guy Oseary, he backed a range of prominent startups during the rise of consumer internet and mobile companies. He has frequently appeared at technology and business events to discuss investing and entrepreneurship.

Kutcher has also been active in philanthropy and advocacy. He co-founded an organization focused on combating child sexual exploitation and trafficking, which developed technology tools used by law enforcement, and he has testified before lawmakers on the issue.

In more recent years Kutcher has continued to appear in film and television projects while maintaining his investment and advocacy work. He has spoken publicly about his health, including recovering from a serious autoimmune condition. Married to actress Mila Kunis, with whom he has children, Kutcher remains a figure who bridges Hollywood and the technology sector, and he continues to balance acting, producing, investing and philanthropy across an extended public career.