Christopher Ashton Kutcher ( ; born February 7, 1978), best known as Ashton Kutcher, is an American actor and former fashion model best known for playing Michael Kelso in the FOX sitcom That '70s Show. He was the creator, executive producer, and host of the MTV celebrity prank show Punk'd. He is known for his roles in films such as Dude, Where's My Car?, Just Married, The Butterfly Effect, The Guardian and What Happens in Vegas. He is also the producer and co-creator of the supernatural TV show Room 401 and the reality TV show Beauty and the Geek. He is married to actress Demi Moore.

Early life

Kutcher was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Diane Kutcher (née Finnegan), an employee of Procter & Gamble, and Larry Kutcher, who worked at a General Mills factory. He is of part Irish ancestry on his mother's side. Kutcher has an older sister, Tausha, and a fraternal twin, Michael, who had a heart transplant when the brothers were young. Kutcher's childhood was that of a rugged, outdoorsy Midwesterner, and he had various odd jobs, including carpentry, and other jobs relating to farm life.

Kutcher attended Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for about a year when his family moved to Tiffin, Iowa, where he attended the Clear Creek-Amana High School. In addition to being a student, he played on the football team as a wide receiver and appeared in school plays. Meanwhile, his home life was stressful. He has stated that "I didn't want to come home and find more bad news about my brother" and "kept myself so busy that I didn't allow myself to feel." Kutcher admitted that as a teen, he contemplated committing suicide. At thirteen, he attempted to jump from a hospital balcony, but his father intervened at the last minute. At around this time, his parents divorced. During his senior year, he broke into the high school at night with his cousin in an attempt to steal money; he was caught leaving the scene. Kutcher was convicted of third-degree burglary and sentenced to three years' probation and 180 hours of community service. Kutcher stated that though the experience "straightened him out", he lost his girlfriend and anticipated college scholarships, and he was ostracized at school and in his community.

Kutcher attended the University of Iowa, where he majored in biochemical engineering (but did not receive a degree), motivated by the desire to find a cure for his brother's heart ailment. At the University of Iowa, Kutcher was kicked out of his apartment for being too "noisy" and "wild".Meers, Erik (2001). "Dude - He's a star." Papermag.com Accessed October 6, 2006. Kutcher stated, "I thought I knew everything but I didn't have a clue. I was partying, and I woke up many mornings not knowing what I had done the night before. I played way too hard. I am amazed I am not dead." He was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. To make ends meet, Kutcher worked as a college summer hire in the cereal department for the General Mills plant in Cedar Rapids, and sometimes donated blood for money. During his time at the University he was approached by a scout at a bar called The Airliner in Iowa City, Iowa, and was recruited to enter the "Fresh Faces of Iowa" modeling competition. After placing first, he won a trip to New York City to the International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) Convention. Following his stay in New York City Ashton returned home to Cedar Rapids, Iowa before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career.