Did you know that Ashton Kutcher is not his real name? He changed his name to become successful in Hollywood.
Hollywood’s sweetheart Ashton Kutcher has done it all – from modelling to doing movies, TV shows, reality shows, producing, investing, and even running his own business. But very few know that the goofy, frat-boy actor of ‘That ‘70s Show’, ‘Two and a Half Men’, and ‘The Ranch’ had begun his career from an actual ranch! Sounds shocking? There are so many things about Hollywood’s chocolate boy Ashton Kutcher that you might not know about.
Here’s the journey Ashton Kutcher had led in Hollywood.
Highlights —
- Carpenter, Farm-Hand, and Cereal Dust Sweeper – The Troubled Boy of Iowa
- 1998 Changed His Life
- Unconventional Return to TV Series: ‘Two and a Half Men’ and ‘The Ranch’
Carpenter, Farm-Hand, and Cereal Dust Sweeper – The Troubled Boy of Iowa
A young Chris ‘Ashton’ Kutcher went to study biochemical engineering at the University of Iowa with a vow to discover the cure for cerebral palsy for his sick little brother. To support his studies, he took up odd jobs like being a carpenter, farm-hand, and even cereal dust sweeper at the general mill’s plant in Cedar Rapids. But the funds weren’t enough to stay afloat. So, Kutcher was forced to drop out.
An attempt at modelling
Kutcher found an easier way to earn money after his chance meeting with a talent hunter for modelling. After winning “Fresh Faces of Iowa”, he travelled to New York as a part of his prize to participate in an International Modeling and Talent Association Convention, 1997. Ashton Kutcher didn’t look back ever since. With the help of the right connections, he became the known face as the underwear model for Calvin Klein and Versace in the same year.
1998 changed his life
Ashton Kutcher got his first break in Hollywood when was cast as Michael Kelso in the famous retro-style sitcom ‘That ’70s Show’.
This is how he met his now-wife Mila Kunis. His role as the lovable but dense Kelso made him an attractive face in the film fraternity.
Before he knew it, several offers for films and TV series from the biggest names started pouring in no time. Now known for his acting skills, Kutcher confessed to Rolling Stone in an interview, surprisingly, “the first five episodes of ‘That ’70s Show’, I was convinced I was going to be fired because I was terrible”.
The life of a movie star began
While working in ‘That ’70s Show’, Ashton began to work in movies since 2000. He starred in ‘Reindeer Games’ (his first movie), ‘Dude Where’s My Car?’ (2000), ‘Down To You’ (2000), ‘Just Married’ (2003), ‘My Boss’s Daughter’ (2003), ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ (2003), ‘Spread’ (2009), ‘Personal Effects’ (2009), and ‘No Strings Attached’ (2011). In 2003, Hollywood’s favourite goofy actor made history by coining the term ‘Punk’d’ with his superhit prank reality TV show of the same name. This word was added to the dictionary in the same year.
Gradually, Ashton Kutcher started taking up more challenging roles in movies like ‘The Butterfly Effect’ (2004) and ‘Jobs’ (2013) and pushed his boundaries. Along with his film list, his social media also pushed boundaries. Ashton Kutcher became the first Twitter user to reach more than one million followers in 2009! And here you thought it must be one of the Kardashians!
An unconventional return to TV series
Ashton Kutcher turned all heads when he joined widely famous CBS sitcom of Chuck Lorre ‘Two and a Half Men’ in 2011 to replace Charlie Sheen. However, his journey in the CBS show was definitely not smooth sailing. Along with a large section of ‘Two and a Half Men’ fans, who didn’t like his presence in the show, Kutcher also faced backlash from Charlie Sheen himself.
After being fired from the show due to his cocaine addiction, anger issues on the set, and offending show creator Chuck Lorre on media, Sheen snubbed Ashton Kutcher by calling him a “lame side-kick” and “really lame” on Twitter. But, here’s the thing, he took so many disturbing controversies and backlashes for a show he didn’t want to do in the first place.
In an interview with Howard Stern, Kutcher said, “I was shocked I took the role in ‘Two and a Half Men’. I had no interest — I was doing movies!” But apparently, the show came with a hefty cheque. According to a report by News.com.au, Kutcher made $755,000 per episode to play billionaire internet entrepreneur Walden Schmidt. How can anyone deny!!
However, everything that starts eventually ends. After ‘Two and a Half Men’ concluded, Ashton Kutcher took on the lead role of Colt Bennet in the Netflix show ‘The Ranch’ in 2016. As Colt Bennet, he returns to his father’s ranch after his dream to become a pro football player failed. The show aired its final episode in January 2020.
Ashton Kutcher’s journey from a carpenter and ranch hand to model and Hollywood’s superstar has been far from a smooth sail. He’s had to undergo many ups and downs in his career and personal life. But what’s his secret to this optimism? As Kutcher likes to put it, “Life can be a lot broader when you realize one simple thing. Everything around us that we call life is made of people who were no smarter than you. So, build a life. Don’t live one. Build one. Find your opportunity, and always be sexy”.
