About Mila Kunis
Full Name: Milena Markovna Kunis
Date of Birth: August 14, 1983
Place of Birth: Chernivtsi, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Ukraine)
Nationality: American (naturalized)
Profession: Actress, Producer, Voice Artist
Years Active: 1994–present
Languages: English, Russian (native)
Overview
Mila Kunis is an American actress of Ukrainian-Jewish descent, known for her versatility, comedic timing, and natural screen presence. She gained fame as a teenager starring as Jackie Burkhart in the hit sitcom That ’70s Show, and later earned critical acclaim for her dramatic performance in Black Swan (2010). Kunis has established a dynamic Hollywood career across television, film, and voice acting, with credits ranging from romantic comedies to psychological thrillers and animated series. She is also known for her sharp wit, grounded personality, and dedication to family and philanthropy.
Early Life & Background
Mila Kunis was born in Chernivtsi, in what was then the Soviet Union (present-day Ukraine). Her family emigrated to the United States in 1991 when she was 7 years old, settling in Los Angeles, California.
- Parents: Mark Kunis, a mechanical engineer and cab driver; Elvira Kunis, a physics teacher and pharmacy manager
- Of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, her family faced antisemitism in the USSR and sought a better life in the U.S.
- Did not speak English upon arrival and credits watching American TV shows like The Price Is Right with helping her learn the language quickly
- Attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles and later took classes at Loyola Marymount University and UCLA, but did not complete a degree due to her acting career taking off
Career Highlights
Television Breakthrough – That ’70s Show (1998–2006)
- Cast at age 14 in the role of Jackie Burkhart, despite producers requiring actors to be 18 (she was allowed to remain after impressing them in auditions)
- Starred alongside Ashton Kutcher, Topher Grace, and Laura Prepon in the beloved Fox sitcom for all eight seasons
- Became one of the most recognizable teen TV actresses of her time
- Won a Young Star Award and earned a devoted fan base
Voice Acting – Family Guy (1999–present)
- Took over the role of Meg Griffin in Family Guy from the second season onward
- Her deadpan delivery and comedic timing made Meg a standout in the series
- Continues to voice the character in the long-running animated show
Film Career – From Comedy to Drama
Mila Kunis transitioned successfully into film, building a diverse resume:
Comedic Roles:
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) – Breakout film role opposite Jason Segel
- Extract (2009), Date Night (2010), Friends with Benefits (2011, opposite Justin Timberlake)
- Ted (2012) – Major box office hit
- Bad Moms (2016) and A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)
Dramatic and Genre Roles:
- The Book of Eli (2010, with Denzel Washington)
- Black Swan (2010, directed by Darren Aronofsky)
- Played Lily, the dark rival ballerina to Natalie Portman’s Nina
- Earned critical acclaim, winning a Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Venice Film Festival
- Nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Golden Globe Award
Other Notable Projects:
- Jupiter Ascending (2015) – Lead role in the sci-fi epic by the Wachowskis
- Luckiest Girl Alive (2022, Netflix) – Executive producer and star of the psychological thriller
- Four Good Days (2020) – Earned praise for her dramatic performance as a recovering heroin addict
Awards & Recognition
- Golden Globe Nomination – Best Supporting Actress (Black Swan)
- Screen Actors Guild Nomination – Outstanding Performance (Black Swan)
- Venice Film Festival – Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actress
- Spike Guys’ Choice Awards, Teen Choice Awards, and MTV Movie Awards winner
- Regularly named among Esquire, GQ, and People magazine’s “Most Beautiful” or “Sexiest Women” lists
- Forbes has included her in its highest-paid actresses list during peak years
Personal Life
- Married: Ashton Kutcher (since 2015) – Her co-star from That ’70s Show
- Children: Two – daughter Wyatt Isabelle and son Dimitri Portwood
- Known for being very private, candid, and down-to-earth in interviews
- Publicly outspoken on political, cultural, and health issues, including the importance of voting and vaccination
Philanthropy & Advocacy
Mila Kunis is involved in several charitable causes, including:
- Stand Up to Cancer
- Planned Parenthood
- Thorn.org – Alongside Kutcher, supports efforts to combat child sex trafficking and online exploitation
- In 2022, she and Kutcher raised over $35 million for Ukrainian refugees through a GoFundMe campaign following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She called the campaign a deeply personal mission due to her Ukrainian roots.
Business & Media Ventures
- Executive producer on Luckiest Girl Alive and other developing projects
- Partnered with Kutcher in launching investment initiatives in tech startups
- Involved in non-alcoholic beverage brand “KIN Euphorics”, focusing on wellness drinks
- Has appeared in major endorsement campaigns including Gemfields jewelry, Jim Beam, and Dior
Legacy & Influence
Mila Kunis is admired for her:
- Sharp intelligence and comedic instincts
- Commitment to authenticity, rarely indulging in Hollywood pretense
- Successful transition from child star to respected film actress
- Voice for Eastern European immigrants and the Jewish-American experience
She is considered a role model for young women who value both career ambition and family grounding, and remains a sought-after actress for both drama and comedy.
Social Media Presence
- Mila Kunis does not have public social media accounts
- Prefers privacy but frequently appears on husband Ashton Kutcher’s platforms and in campaign videos/interviews
Recent & Upcoming Projects (as of 2025)
- In talks to reprise her role in upcoming Bad Moms spin-off.
- Developing and producing more streaming content, focusing on female-driven stories.
- Active in philanthropy related to Ukraine, women’s health, and child protection causes.
