As we celebrate Ashton’s 48th birthday today, February 7, 2026, we’re looking back at the couple that proved the “long game” is the best game. From their first scripted kiss in 1998 to their real-life partnership today, this is the ultimate Hollywood “slow burn.”
A Teenage Beginning (1998–2006)
The story famously began on the set of That ’70s Show. In 1998, a 20-year-old Ashton was cast as the lovable dimwit Michael Kelso, while a 14-year-old Mila (who famously lied about her age to get the part) played the spoiled Jackie Burkhart.
Ironically, Mila’s first-ever kiss was with Ashton on camera. At the time, there were zero romantic sparks off-screen. Ashton reportedly helped Mila with her chemistry homework between takes, viewing her more as a little sister than a future wife. They played on-again, off-again lovers for eight seasons, eventually going their separate ways when the show ended—Ashton to a high-profile marriage with Demi Moore, and Mila to a long-term relationship with Macaulay Culkin.
The “No Strings Attached” Reunion (2012)
After both stars found themselves single again in early 2012, they reconnected at the Golden Globe Awards. In a plot twist that sounds exactly like their respective movies—Kutcher’s No Strings Attached and Kunis’s Friends with Benefits—the two decided to try a casual arrangement.
As Mila later told Marc Maron on his podcast, they promised each other they would keep it fun and uncomplicated. However, the “casual” phase didn’t last long. Within three months, they realized they were doing all the things couples do: staying over, hanging out with each other’s families, and, most importantly, not wanting to see other people.
Building a Life: The “Kutcher-Kunis” Legacy
The couple officially tied the knot in a private “secret” ceremony in July 2015 at The Secret Garden at Parrish Ranch in California. Since then, they have become the gold standard for grounded parenting and philanthropy in Hollywood.
- Raising Kids with Values: Parents to daughter Wyatt and son Dimitri, Ashton and Mila are famously strict about keeping their children grounded. They have publicly stated they don’t want to raise “entitled” kids, even famously announcing they don’t plan to leave their massive fortune to them in a trust fund.
- The “Stand With Ukraine” Effort: In 2022, the couple used their massive platform to raise over $30 million for humanitarian aid in Ukraine (Mila’s birthplace). This effort solidified their status as more than just actors; they are active, global advocates.
- Business Partners: From their venture capital investments to their “Quarantine Wine” launch, the two have turned their relationship into a productive partnership that spans tech, agriculture, and entertainment.