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Milena Markovna "Mila" Kunis[a][b] (born August 14, 1983) is an American actress. Born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, and raised in Los Angeles, she starred as Jackie Burkhart on That '70s Show from 1998 to 2006 and has voiced Meg Griffin on Family Guy since 1999.

Key Information

Kunis's breakout film role was in the 2008 romantic comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall.[1][2] She gained critical acclaim for her performance in the psychological thriller Black Swan (2010), receiving nominations for the SAG Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her other major films include the action films Max Payne (2008) and The Book of Eli (2010), the romantic comedy Friends with Benefits (2011), the fantasy film Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)—as the Wicked Witch of the West—and the comedies Ted (2012), Bad Moms (2016) and its sequel, A Bad Moms Christmas (2017).

Early life and education

[edit]

Milena Markovna Kunis was born into a Jewish family on August 14, 1983,[3] in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union.[4] Her mother, Elvira, was a physics teacher who ran a pharmacy, and her father, Mark Kunis, was a mechanical engineer who worked as a cab driver after the family emigrated.[5] Kunis has an older brother, Michael.[6][7] Her grandparents were Holocaust survivors.[8] Her mother tongue and the common language within her family is Russian.[9] While participating in Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend Kunis confirmed she does not speak Ukrainian, stating Russian was the main language at the time she was there.[10] Children were not taught Ukrainian in school until they were in second grade which was the time she left to come to the United States.[10] She stated in 2011 that her parents had "amazing jobs", and that she "was very lucky" and the family was "not poor"; they had decided to leave the Soviet Union because they saw "no future" there for Mila and her brother.[11] In 1991, when she was 7 years old, her family moved to Los Angeles under a religious-refugee visa,[12] with $250. "That was all we were allowed to take with us. My parents had given up good jobs and degrees, which were not transferable. We arrived in New York on a Wednesday and by Friday morning my brother and I were at school in L.A."[11]

Kunis has cited antisemitism in the Soviet Union as one of several reasons for her family's move to the United States.[13][14][15][16][17] She has stated that her parents "raised [her] Jewish as much as they could", although religion was suppressed in the Soviet Union.[18][13] On her second day in Los Angeles, Kunis was enrolled at Rosewood Elementary School, not knowing a word of English. She later recalled: "I blocked out second grade completely. I have no recollection of it. I always talk to my mom and my grandma about it. It was because I cried every day. I didn't understand the culture. I didn't understand the people. I didn't understand the language. My first sentence of my essay to get into college was like, 'Imagine being blind and deaf at age seven.' And that's kind of what it felt like moving to the States."[19]

In Los Angeles, she attended Hubert Howe Bancroft Middle School. She used an on-set tutor for most of her high school years while filming That '70s Show.[20] She briefly attended Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES), but when that school proved to be insufficiently flexible about her acting commitments, she transferred to Fairfax High School,[21] graduating in 2001.[16] She briefly attended University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.[6][22]

Kunis is a naturalized US citizen.[23][24][25]

Kunis has said that a genealogical DNA test described her ethnicity as 96%[26][27] to 98% Ashkenazi Jewish.[28]

Career

[edit]

1994–2000: Career beginnings and television work

[edit]

At age nine, Kunis was enrolled by her father in acting classes after school at the Beverly Hills Studios, where she met Susan Curtis, who would become her manager.[29][30] On her first audition she landed the role for a Barbie commercial.[31] Shortly after, she did a commercial for the Lisa Frank product line.[32] Her first television roles took place in 1994, first appearing on Days of Our Lives,[33][34] and a few months later doing her first of two appearances on Baywatch.[35] She had a minor role on the television shows 7th Heaven,[20] and Walker, Texas Ranger as well as supporting roles in the films Santa with Muscles, Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves, and the Angelina Jolie film Gia, as the young Gia Carangi.[6]

At the age of 10, Kunis unsuccessfully auditioned for the role of a Russian Jewish girl who moves to North America in the film Make a Wish, Molly.[8] Instead, she was cast in the secondary role of a Mexican girl.[21] In 1998, Kunis was cast as Jackie Burkhart in the Fox sitcom That '70s Show. All who auditioned were required to be at least 18 years old; Kunis, who was 14 at the time, told the casting directors she would be 18 but did not say when. Though they eventually figured it out, the producers still thought Kunis was the best fit for the role.[30] That '70s Show ran for eight seasons.[36] She won two consecutive Young Star Awards as Best Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series in 1999 and 2000 for her performances.[37]

In 1999, Kunis replaced Lacey Chabert in the role of Meg Griffin on the animated sitcom Family Guy,[38] created by Seth MacFarlane for Fox. Kunis won the role after auditions and a slight rewrite of the character, in part due to her performance on That '70s Show. When Kunis auditioned for the role, she was called back by MacFarlane, who instructed her to speak slower. He then told her to come back another time and enunciate more. Once she claimed that she had it under control, MacFarlane hired her. MacFarlane added: "What Mila Kunis brought to it was in a lot of ways, I thought, almost more right for the character. I say that Lacey did a phenomenal job, but there was something about Mila—something very natural about Mila. She was 15 when she started, so you were listening to a 15-year-old. Oftentimes with animation they'll have adult actors doing the voices of teenagers and they always sound like Saturday morning voices. They sound oftentimes very forced. She had a very natural quality to Meg that really made what we did with that character kind of really work."[39] Kunis was nominated for an Annie Award in the category of Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production in 2007. She also voiced Meg in Family Guy Video Game!, released in 2006. Kunis described her character as "the scapegoat".[40]

2001–2008: Transition to film

[edit]

In 2001, she appeared in Get Over It opposite Kirsten Dunst. She followed that up in 2002, by starring in the straight-to-DVD horror film American Psycho 2 alongside William Shatner, a sequel to the 2000 film American Psycho. American Psycho 2 was poorly reviewed by critics,[41] and later, Kunis herself expressed embarrassment over the film.[42] In 2004, Kunis starred in the film adaptation Tony n' Tina's Wedding. Although the film was shot in 2004, it did not have a theatrical release until 2007.[43] Most critics did not like the film, which mustered a 25% approval from Rotten Tomatoes.[44] DVD talk concluded that "fans would be much better off pretending the movie never happened in the first place".[45]

Kunis at the premiere of Max Payne in 2008

In 2005, Kunis co-starred with Jon Heder in Moving McAllister, which was not released theatrically until 2007.[46] The film received generally poor reviews and had a limited two-week run in theaters.[47][48] She followed up with After Sex starring alongside Zoe Saldana, who had also appeared in Get Over It.[49] In October 2006, she began filming Boot Camp (originally titled Straight Edge).[50] The film was not released in theaters in the United States, but was released on DVD on August 25, 2009.[51]

Kunis starred as Rachel Jansen in the 2008 comedy film, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, co-produced by Judd Apatow. The role, which she won after unsuccessfully auditioning for Knocked Up,[2] entailed improvisation on her part.[52] The film garnered positive reviews,[53] and was a commercial success, grossing $105 million worldwide.[54] Kunis's performance was well-received; Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal praised her "fresh beauty and focused energy",[55] while James Berardinelli wrote that she is "adept with her performance and understands the concept of comic timing".[56] She was nominated for a Teen Choice Award.[57] In an interview, Kunis credited Apatow with helping her to expand her career from That '70s Show.[2]

Also in 2008, Kunis portrayed Mona Sax, an assassin, alongside Mark Wahlberg in the action film Max Payne, based on the video game of the same name. Kunis underwent training in guns, boxing, and martial arts for her role.[58] Max Payne was relatively successful at the box office, grossing $85 million worldwide[59] but was poorly reviewed by critics,[60] with several reviewers calling Kunis miscast.[61][62] Travis Estvold of Boise Weekly wrote that she was "horribly miscast as some sort of undersized, warble-voiced crime boss".[63] Director John Moore defended his choice of Kunis saying, "Mila just bowled us over..... She wasn't an obvious choice, but she just wears Mona so well. We needed someone who would not be just a fop or foil to Max; we needed somebody who had to be that character and convey her own agenda. I think Mila just knocked it out of the park."[58] She was nominated for another Teen Choice Award for her role in the film.[64]

2009–2012: Film breakthrough and acclaim

[edit]
Kunis promoting Family Guy in 2009

In 2009, she appeared in the comedy film Extract with Ben Affleck and Jason Bateman. The film received mostly positive reviews,[65] and grossed $10.8 million at the box office.[66] Roger Ebert, while critical of the film itself, wrote that Kunis "brings her role to within shouting distance of credibility."[67] Director Mike Judge commented that part of what was surprising to learn about Kunis was her ability to make references to the cult animation film Rejected. Judge said: "As beautiful as Mila is, you could believe that maybe she would cross paths with you in the real world."[68] After seeing Kunis perform in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Judge wanted to cast her in the role of Cindy in Extract: "I just thought, 'Wow, this girl's perfect.' And she really wanted to do it, which was fantastic." Kunis herself stated that "I'm a huge fan of Mike Judge's from Office Space, so I was, like, 'Okay, this is a very easy decision.' I told them I would do anything needed to be in this production—like craft service, or, say, acting."[69]

In 2010, she starred alongside Denzel Washington in the action film The Book of Eli. Although the film received mixed reviews,[70] it performed well at the box office, grossing over $157 million worldwide.[71] Film critic Richard Roeper praised Kunis's performance, calling it a "particularly strong piece of work".[72] Several other reviews were equally positive, including that of Pete Hammond of Boxoffice magazine, who wrote that she's "ideally cast in the key female role".[73] Even reviewers who did not necessarily like the film complimented her performance, such as James Berardinelli, who wrote that "the demands of the role prove to be within her range, which is perhaps surprising considering she has been thus far pigeonholed into more lightweight parts",[74] and Colin Covert of the Star Tribune, who wrote that she "generated a spark and brought a degree of determination to her character, developing an independent female character who's not always in need of rescuing."[75] Other critics, such as Claudia Puig of USA Today felt she was miscast, noting that "she looked as if she dropped in from a Ray-Ban commercial".[76] Kunis received another Teen Choice Award nomination for her performance.[77][78] Kunis was also cast in a minor role in the 2010 comedy film Date Night, starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell.[79] She garnered several positive reviews for her performance.[80][81][82] Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune concluded her performance with James Franco helped save the film and gave it "a shot in the arm."[83]

Kunis at San Diego Comic-Con in 2012

Kunis was nominated for multiple awards, including her first Golden Globe, for the 2010 film Black Swan. She played a rival ballet dancer to the main character, played by Natalie Portman. Director Darren Aronofsky cast Kunis in the film based on her performance in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and on the recommendation of co-star and close friend Natalie Portman.[8][84] She underwent a training regimen that included cardiovascular exercise, a 1,200-calorie a day diet (she lost 20 pounds that she regained after filming ended), and ballet classes for four hours a day, seven days a week.[1][85][86] During the demanding production, she suffered injuries including a torn ligament and a dislocated shoulder.[87]

Black Swan received widespread acclaim from critics[88] and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.[89] The film grossed over $106.9 million in the United States and Canada[90] while grossing over $329 million worldwide.[91] Reviews of Kunis's performance were positive,[92][93][94] with Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter stating, "Kunis makes a perfect alternate to Portman, equally as lithe and dark but a smirk of self-assurance in place of Portman's wide-eyed fearfulness."[95] Guy Lodge of In Contention also praised Kunis, saying, "it's the cool, throaty-voiced Kunis who is the surprise package here, intelligently watching and reflecting her co-star in such a manner that we're as uncertain as Nina of her ingenuousness."[96] Kunis's performance won her the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor or Actress at the 67th Venice International Film Festival,[97] and earned her Golden Globe Award[98] and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress.[99] At the 37th annual Saturn Awards, she was also honored with the Best Supporting Actress award for her performance.[100]

Kunis was cast alongside Justin Timberlake in the 2011 romantic comedy Friends with Benefits.[101] Director Will Gluck stated that he wrote the story with Kunis and Timberlake in mind.[102] Friends with Benefits achieved success at the box office, grossing over $149 million worldwide,[103] and received mostly positive reviews with critics praising the chemistry between Kunis and Timberlake.[104] Manohla Dargis of The New York Times wrote that "Ms. Kunis is fast proving that she's a gift that keeps giving to mainstream romantic comedy" and "her energy is so invigorating and expansive and her presence so vibrant that she fills the screen".[105]

In 2012, Kunis co-starred with Mark Wahlberg in Ted, her most commercially successful film to date. The film was directed and co-written by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane. Kunis played the girlfriend of Wahlberg's character. When MacFarlane first conceived the project, he considered Kunis too young for the role. However, the film remained in development for several years and when it was finally ready to begin production, he ended up casting her.[106] Ted has received generally positive reviews from critics[107] and was a commercial success, grossing $549 million worldwide.[108] Drew McWeeny of HitFix wrote that Kunis "brings some lovely subtle grace notes to a role that easily could have just been 'the pushy girlfriend'".[109]

2013–present: Comedic roles

[edit]

In 2013, Kunis played Theodora, the youngest of three witches, opposite James Franco, in the Walt Disney Pictures' prequel, Oz the Great and Powerful.[110][111] She dedicated her performance in the film to Margaret Hamilton, the original Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 film.[112] The film, and Kunis's performance, received mixed reviews from critics.[113] Kim Newman of Empire Magazine wrote that Kunis "walks away with the honours as the wavering witch Theodora, whose heartbreak brings another, less-expected depth to this 3D spectacle".[114] In contrast, Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter found Kunis's performance to be uncertain as her character seemed to be in a state of limbo.[115] Oz the Great and Powerful was a commercial success, grossing over $493 million worldwide.[116]

Also in 2013, Kunis co-starred in the crime thriller Blood Ties with Clive Owen, Billy Crudup, and Marion Cotillard.[117] The film premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and had a limited release in the United States in 2014.[118] Blood Ties received mixed reviews.[119] Kunis was also cast in the comedy The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, alongside Robin Williams and Peter Dinklage.[120] The film had a limited theatrical and VOD release[121] and received poor reviews.[122] The Paul Haggis-directed film Third Person co-starring with Liam Neeson, Olivia Wilde and James Franco[123] premiered at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival[124] and had a limited release in 2014, but also received mostly negative reviews.[125] Kunis's performance was praised by some critics; Deborah Young of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that her role gives her "enormous room to express her talent" and she "gives her story a shot of raw intensity".[126] In October 2014, it was announced Kunis, along with her partners, had launched a new production company called Orchard Farm Productions. The company has a first-look deal with ABC Studios, where the company is based. Under the agreement, the team will develop and produce TV projects for broadcast and cable.[127] In 2015, Kunis co-starred with Channing Tatum in the science fiction film Jupiter Ascending, directed by the Wachowskis.[128][129] While the film grossed over $183.9 million on a $176 million budget,[130] it received mostly negative reviews, with a consensus that the production was "narratively befuddled" and a "visually thrilling misfire".[131]

Kunis promoting The Spy Who Dumped Me in 2018

Kunis co-starred with Kristen Bell and Christina Applegate in the comedy Bad Moms, which was released July 29, 2016.[132] It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the cast and humor, though did not feel it could "take full advantage of its assets".[133] Chris Nashawaty from Entertainment Weekly wrote that "Kunis manages to be both sympathetic and funny, and she has crack comedic timing".[134] The film went on to earn more than $183.9 million with a budget of $20 million.[135] Following the financial success of Bad Moms, STX Entertainment reunited Kunis with her co-stars Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn for a sequel, A Bad Moms Christmas, which was released on November 1, 2017.[136][137] It went on to receive mixed reviews[138] and gross over $130 million worldwide with a budget of $28 million.[139]

In 2018, Kunis co-starred with Kate McKinnon in the comedy The Spy Who Dumped Me. The film received mixed reviews[140] and went on to gross over $75 million worldwide with a budget of $40 million.[141] Kunis co-starred with Glenn Close in the film Four Good Days. Principal photography began in September 2019 in Los Angeles,[142] and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2020.[143] The film received mixed reviews[144] but Kunis was praised for her performance, with Pete Hammond from Deadline Hollywood stating Kunis was "a revelation" in the role,[145] while Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times concluded her performance "represents the finest work she has done".[146] In 2021, she co-starred with Allison Janney and Regina Hall in Breaking News in Yuba County, which was filmed in Mississippi.[147] The film was released February 12, 2021,[148] and received negative reviews from critics.[149] On April 30, 2022, it was announced that Kunis would have a guest appearance in the follow-up sitcom, That '90s Show.[150]

In 2022, Kunis produced and starred in a Netflix film adaptation of Luckiest Girl Alive based on the Jessica Knoll novel of the same name.[151] Luckiest Girl Alive was released in select cinemas on September 30, 2022, before its streaming release on October 7, 2022, by Netflix.[152] The film received mixed reviews from critics.[153] However, Kunis received acclaim for her performance with Erick Massoto from Collider stating she delivered a "career best performance" that is "hypnotic and keeps you on the edge of your seat at every turn."[154] Additionally Kunis received a nomination for The Drama Movie Star of 2022 at the 48th People's Choice Awards.[155]

In 2023, it was announced that Kunis was slated to co-star with Michael Keaton in the comedy film Goodrich. Goodrich was released on October 18, 2024.[156] The film received positive reviews from critics.[157] Written and Directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer, Kunis also served as executive producer.[158] In 2024, Kunis closed a deal with Skydance to produce and star in The 47 Night Stand, a new film scripted by Greg Malins.[159] Additionally, Kunis has been added to the cast of the latest installment of the Knives Out franchise, joining Daniel Craig in Netflix's film Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.[160]

In the media

[edit]
Kunis for a spread in Esquire magazine in 2012

In 2007, Kunis participated in a video for the website Funny or Die appearing alongside James Franco. The video was a parody of the MTV show The Hills and was a huge success for the website, with 2.4 million views over the next ten years.[161] Shawn Levy, director of Date Night, stated that part of what made him decide to cast Kunis with James Franco in the film was the chemistry he felt they had in the Funny or Die video.[162] In December 2008, Kunis was featured in Gap's "Shine Your Own Star" Christmas campaign.[163] In 2010, she was featured in the "Women We Love" segment in Esquire with an accompanied video.[164] Kunis was among several female stars photographed by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams in conjunction with the Calvin Klein Collections for a feature titled American Women 2010, with the proceeds from the photographs donated to the NYC AIDS foundation.[165] During the summer of 2010 Kunis served with Randy Jackson as the Master of Ceremonies for the 9th Annual Chrysalis Foundation Benefit. The Chrysalis Foundation is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization formed to help economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals to become self-sufficient through employment opportunities.[166]

GQ magazine named Kunis the Knockout of the Year for 2011,[167] with Men's Health naming her one of the "100 Hottest Women of All-Time".[168] FHM magazine ranked her number 9 on its 2012 Hot 100 list,[169] but she reached number 1 on their 2013 "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list,[170][171] which brought to an end a four-year run by British women.[172] Prior to this in 2008 Kunis stated, "You've got to base your career on something other than being FHM's top 100 number one girl. Your looks are going to die out, and then what's going to be left?"[19] Maxim has consistently ranked Kunis on its Hot 100 list, reaching a ranking of number 5 in both 2009 and 2011[173] and number 3 in 2012.[174][175] Esquire magazine named her 2012's Sexiest Woman Alive.[176] She ranked No. 2 on AskMen's list of Top 99 Women for 2013, behind only Jennifer Lawrence.[177] In 2013, she responded to those lists: "All I can say is, I feel honored to be considered sexy."[178]

Christian Dior signed Kunis in 2012 to be the face of its Spring fashion campaign.[179][180] In February 2013, she was named Gemfields global brand ambassador and the face of their advertising campaign.[181] Gemfields is a luxury company that produces emeralds, rubies, and amethysts. She visited Gemfields' mine in Zambia.[182] Kunis appeared wearing Gemfields's Rubies for the world premiere of Jupiter Ascending.[183] In 2013, she appeared in Forbes list of 100 powerful celebrities, ranking #89 on the basis of five criteria (Money, TV/Radio, Press, Social, and Marketability), with her highest ranking as #14 in marketability. She earned $11 million for the year ending in June 2013.[184] In 2014, Kunis appeared in a range of global advertising for Beam, Inc. (makers of Jim Beam bourbon).[185] Her announcement on Conan that she would donate to Planned Parenthood in Vice President Mike Pence's name received praise from supporters of abortion rights; conversely, several anti-abortion advocates criticized her and Beam, Inc. on Twitter, creating the hashtag #BoycottJimBeam.[186][187]

Kunis was included on Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022.[188] Also in 2022 Kunis was included with Matthew McConaughey, Quinta Brunson and Jennifer Hudson on People magazine's annual list of the People of the year.[189]

Personal life

[edit]
Kunis attending the Marine Corps Ball in 2011

Kunis began dating actor Macaulay Culkin in 2002.[190][191] During their relationship, there were rumors of the couple getting married, but Kunis denied them.[192] On January 3, 2011, Kunis's publicist confirmed reports that Kunis and Culkin had ended their relationship, saying, "The split was amicable, and they remain close friends."[190]

In January 2011, she revealed her struggle with chronic iritis that had caused temporary blindness in one eye. Some months earlier she went through with the surgery that corrected the problem.[193] Kunis also has heterochromia iridum, a condition in which the irises are different colors. Her left eye is brown, while her right eye is green.[170]

On September 14, 2011, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced it was investigating the alleged hacking of Kunis's cellphone and email accounts, along with those of other celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson and Vanessa Hudgens.[194][195][196] Christopher Chaney from Jacksonville, Florida, later pleaded guilty in federal court to nine counts of computer hacking.[197]

In November 2011, Kunis was escorted by Sgt. Scott Moore to a U.S. Marine Corps Ball in Greenville, North Carolina. She had accepted Moore's invitation in July after he posted it as a YouTube video while serving with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, in Afghanistan's Helmand province. The event celebrated the Marine Corps' 236th anniversary.[198]

Kunis began dating her former That '70s Show co-star Ashton Kutcher in 2012.[199][200][201] They became engaged in February 2014,[202] and were married in July 2015 in Oak Glen, California.[203] The couple have two children: a daughter born in October 2014[204][205] and a son born in November 2016.[206] The family resides in a sustainable farmhouse, designed by the couple and architect Howard Backen, in Beverly Hills.[207]

In 2016, Kunis, while pregnant with her second child, undertook the surprise renovation of her parents' condominium, over a six-week period, which was documented for My HouzzTV.[208] She had grown up in the condominium from the age of nine, along with her older brother and her parents. In April 2020, Kunis and Kutcher developed their own wine, named Quarantine Wine, with 100% of the proceeds going to give aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.[209] The following year, they launched Outside Wine, a blend of red wine, whose profits would benefit The Skate Park Project and Thorn.org.[210]

In 2022, Kunis and Kutcher started a GoFundMe page to help two online companies (Airbnb and Flexport) to aid refugees fleeing the violence in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They exceeded their $30 million goal as of March 18, 2022. The couple promised to donate $3 million of their own money to the cause.[211][212][213]

In 2023, after the conviction of That 70's Show castmate Danny Masterson for rape, Kunis, along with Ashton Kutcher, wrote letters to the judge in support of Masterson.[214] The letters stated that Masterson was a good person and that he treated people with "decency, equality, and generosity".[215] After the letters were made public, Kunis and Kutcher received immediate backlash and criticism for their support of Masterson, especially due to Kunis and Kutcher's involvement in Thorn, a charity to expose the sexual exploitation of children. After the backlash, Kunis and Kutcher apologized in a video. In the video, the two claimed that the letters were only intended for the judge and not for the public. The apology was similarly criticized as "performative and insincere".[216]

Political views

[edit]

Kunis is a supporter of the Democratic Party.[23] In a 2012 interview, she criticized the Republican Party, saying: "The way that Republicans attack women is so offensive to me. And the way they talk about religion is offensive. I may not be a practicing Jew, but why do we gotta talk about Jesus all the time?"[176] In 2017, Kunis disclosed that she had been making monthly donations to Planned Parenthood in Mike Pence's name.[217]

In 2021, Kunis signed a letter by the American organization Creative Community for Peace denouncing attempts by Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions to boycott the Tel Aviv International LGBTQ+ Film Festival.[218] She also signed another petition by the CCFP calling for Amazon to remove the film and book Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America, an antisemitic work that promoted Holocaust denial after it was promoted by American professional basketball player Kyrie Irving.[219][220]

Following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Kunis signed the "No Hostage Left Behind" letter, calling for United States President Joe Biden to ensure the release of all hostages kidnapped during the attacks.[221]

Acting credits and awards

[edit]
Main articles: Mila Kunis filmography and List of awards and nominations received by Mila Kunis

According to the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Kunis's most critically successful films are Gia (1998), Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), Extract (2009), Date Night (2010), Black Swan (2010), Friends with Benefits (2011), Ted (2012), Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), and Bad Moms (2016).[222] Her television projects include FOX sitcom That '70s Show (1998–2006) and animated series Family Guy (1999–present).[223]

Kunis has received one Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress and two Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Outstanding Performance by a Cast for her performance in Black Swan (2010).[224][225] Kunis was nominated for an Annie Award for Best Voice Acting for her work in Family Guy and has garnered two Critics' Choice Awards nominations for Best Supporting Actress in Black Swan (2010) and Best Actress in a Comedy in Ted (2012) respectively.[226][227][228]

Explanatory notes

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mila Kunis

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from Grokipedia

Milena Markovna Kunis (born August 14, 1983) is a Ukrainian-born American actress of Jewish descent, recognized for her extensive work in television and film. Born in , then part of the , she immigrated with her family to at age seven in 1991, where she began acting shortly after learning English. Kunis rose to prominence portraying Jackie Burkhart on the sitcom from 1998 to 2006 and providing the voice of on the animated series since 1999. Her transition to film included comedic roles in (2008) and Ted (2012), alongside a critically acclaimed dramatic performance as Lily in (2010), which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress. In her personal life, Kunis married actor Ashton Kutcher in 2015, with whom she has two children: daughter Wyatt Isabelle, born in October 2014, and son Dimitri Portwood, born in November 2016. The couple has drawn public scrutiny for submitting character reference letters to the court in support of their former co-star Danny Masterson during his 2023 rape trial, prompting widespread backlash despite the letters emphasizing his character rather than disputing the allegations; Masterson was subsequently convicted.

Early life

Childhood in Ukraine and immigration to the United States

Milena Markovna Kunis was born on August 14, 1983, in , , , to a Jewish family. Her parents, Mark Kunis, a cab driver, and Elvira Kunis, a former and , raised her alongside her older brother, Michael. The family maintained Jewish traditions in secret due to Soviet restrictions on religious practices, amid pervasive in the region; her grandparents were . Kunis's early childhood occurred during the waning years of the Soviet era, marked by economic stagnation and ethnic tensions for , though specific personal anecdotes from this period are limited in . In 1991, following the Soviet Union's dissolution and amid rising instability, Kunis's family immigrated to the as religious refugees, fleeing and seeking economic opportunities unavailable in post-Soviet . At age seven, Kunis arrived with her parents and brother, initially landing in New York before relocating to , , where they settled in the West Hollywood area. The move was facilitated by visas granted on grounds, reflecting broader patterns of Jewish emigration from the former USSR in the early . Upon arrival, the family faced significant challenges, including language barriers—Kunis spoke no English—and financial hardship, with her father working multiple jobs to support them. Despite these difficulties, the marked a pivotal shift, enabling access to new and professional prospects in the U.S.

Education and entry into

Following her family's immigration to in 1991 at age seven, Kunis attended local public schools while rapidly acquiring proficiency within six months, retaining no discernible accent. Her parents emphasized regular schooling over pursuits, viewing them as antithetical to stage parenting, which required her to balance education with emerging acting opportunities despite an increasingly erratic schedule. During production of That '70s Show starting in 1998, she relied on on-set tutoring to fulfill high school requirements alongside attendance at a Los Angeles public high school. Kunis briefly enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in the early 2000s, driven by familial expectations—her entire family held college degrees—but did not complete a degree amid professional demands. Kunis's entry into acting began at age nine in 1992, when her father enrolled her in after-school classes at the Beverly Hills Studios, initially as a social outlet and makeshift childcare following the family's relocation. These classes quickly yielded an agent and minor roles, including television commercials and her screen debut in a 1994 episode of Make a Wish, Molly. By 1995, she appeared in guest spots on series such as SeaQuest DSV and Baywatch, alongside a supporting role in the film Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves. Her breakthrough arrived in 1998 at age 14, when she auditioned for and secured the role of Jackie Burkhart on , misleading producers about her age by claiming to be 18 to circumvent child labor restrictions—a decision enabled by her manager's assessment of her maturity despite her youth and heterochromia (one green eye, one hazel). The role, spanning eight seasons through 2006, marked her transition to sustained prominence while she navigated adolescence under intense professional scrutiny.

Acting career

Television roles and early recognition (1994–2005)

Kunis began her television career with a guest appearance on the soap opera Days of Our Lives in 1994, portraying a minor character at the age of 10. She followed this with additional guest spots on series including Walker, Texas Ranger in 1997 and 7th Heaven in 1998, accumulating experience in episodic television while building her acting skills through formal training. Her breakthrough came in 1998 when, at age 14, she auditioned for and secured the role of Jackie Burkhart, the spoiled and opinionated love interest in the sitcom That '70s Show, which premiered on August 23, 1998. To meet the casting requirement that all actors be at least 18, Kunis misrepresented her age during the audition process, a fact she later confirmed publicly. As a series regular, she appeared in all 200 episodes through the show's run until 2006, delivering a performance characterized by sharp comedic timing and evolving character depth from a stereotypical cheerleader to a more nuanced figure. The role marked her transition from obscurity to teen television prominence, contributing to the series' cultural footprint in depicting . In 1999, Kunis began providing the voice of on the animated series , replacing starting with the second season after an audition that adjusted the character's traits to suit her delivery; she was 15 at the time and has continued in the role into the present. This dual workload on and —often recording voice sessions concurrently—solidified her versatility across live-action and animation, with the latter's irreverent humor contrasting her sitcom persona. Early recognition for these efforts included two consecutive YoungStar Awards for Best Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series in 1999 and 2000, specifically for her work on That '70s Show, highlighting her standout presence among adolescent performers. By 2005, her sustained contributions to both long-running series had established her as a reliable fixture in network television, paving the way for expanded opportunities beyond episodic formats.

Transition to film and breakthrough successes (2006–2012)

Kunis shifted her focus toward feature films following the conclusion of That '70s Show in May 2006. She took on supporting roles in smaller productions, including the ensemble romantic comedy After Sex and the drama Boot Camp, both released in 2007. These early film appearances allowed her to explore dramatic and comedic ranges beyond television while maintaining her voice work as Meg Griffin on Family Guy. In 2008, Kunis achieved her first major film breakthrough with the role of Rachel Jansen, a kind-hearted hotel concierge, in the romantic comedy , directed by . The film, produced by , featured Kunis opposite and received positive reviews for its humor, with critics noting her chemistry and appeal as a lead opposite her former TV co-star. That same year, she portrayed the in the action thriller Max Payne, adapted from the series, marking her entry into genre films. Kunis continued building her film profile in 2009 with a supporting role as the secretary in the comedy Extract, directed by Mike Judge. Her performance in the 2010 post-apocalyptic film The Book of Eli, playing Solara alongside Denzel Washington, further demonstrated her versatility in action-oriented roles. The pivotal breakthrough came with Black Swan, directed by Darren Aronofsky, where she played Lily, the seductive rival ballerina to Natalie Portman's Nina. To prepare, Kunis underwent seven months of intensive ballet training, dropping to 95 pounds and sustaining physical injuries, which she later described as transformative but grueling. The film earned widespread critical acclaim, grossing nearly $330 million worldwide, and Kunis received praise for her nuanced portrayal, though supporting actress nominations eluded her. By 2011, Kunis starred as Jamie Rellis in the romantic comedy opposite , capitalizing on her established comedic presence. The year 2012 marked her largest commercial success with Ted, directed by and starring Seth MacFarlane's voice as the titular foul-mouthed teddy bear; Kunis played Lori Collins, the girlfriend urging maturity from Mark Wahlberg's character. The R-rated comedy grossed over $543 million globally, becoming one of the highest-grossing original R-rated films at the time. These roles solidified Kunis's transition from television to a prominent film actress, blending critical recognition from Black Swan with box-office appeal in comedies.

Established film career and recent projects (2013–present)

In 2013, Kunis portrayed the witch Theodora in Oz the Great and Powerful, a Disney fantasy prequel directed by Sam Raimi that earned $493 million worldwide against a $215 million budget, marking one of her highest-grossing lead roles. The film received mixed critical reception, with praise for its visual effects but criticism for narrative inconsistencies. That year, she also appeared in the ensemble drama Third Person as Julia, a role in Paul Haggis's interconnected stories that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival but achieved limited commercial release. Kunis took the titular lead as Jupiter Jones in the 2015 , directed by with a reported budget exceeding $176 million, yet it grossed only $184 million globally, resulting in financial underperformance. Kunis later reflected that the production's budget was halved before filming, contributing to challenges in execution. Critics noted ambitious world-building overshadowed by convoluted plotting, though Kunis's as an ordinary woman thrust into interstellar conflict was highlighted for its earnestness. Shifting toward comedy, Kunis starred as Amy Mitchell, an overworked mother rebelling against societal expectations, in the 2016 R-rated hit , which opened to $23.4 million domestically and ultimately grossed $113 million in North America on a $20 million budget. The film resonated with audiences for its irreverent take on parenthood, earning a 59% approval rating from critics who appreciated its relatable humor despite formulaic elements. She reprised the role in the 2017 sequel , which collected $130 million worldwide, reinforcing her appeal in broad-appeal ensemble comedies. Kunis diversified into voice acting with the role of park designer Greta in the 2019 animated feature , aimed at family audiences but receiving middling reviews for its derivative storyline. In dramatic territory, she played Molly, a heroin-addicted young woman seeking recovery under her mother's supervision, in (2021), opposite ; her portrayal of physical and emotional deterioration drew acclaim for authenticity, informed by consultations with addiction specialists. The film, based on real events, explored opioid dependency's toll, with Kunis's performance noted for its raw intensity amid a 54% score. More recently, Kunis led the 2022 Netflix thriller Luckiest Girl Alive as Ani FaNelli, a confronting past and trauma, adapted from Jessica Knoll's ; the streaming release garnered mixed feedback, with a 42% critics' score praising Kunis's layered depiction of suppressed rage but faulting pacing. In 2024's Goodrich, she supported as adult daughter Grace, aiding her father's navigation of sudden single parenthood with young twins; the comedy-drama earned an 82% approval for its heartfelt family dynamics. Kunis is set to appear in the ensemble of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025), Rian Johnson's third Benoit Blanc installment, alongside . These projects reflect her sustained versatility across genres, from high-stakes blockbusters to intimate character studies and streaming originals.

Business ventures and philanthropy

Entrepreneurial activities

In 2014, Kunis co-founded the production company Orchard Farm Productions with producers Susan Curtis, Cami Curtis, and Lisa Sterbakov, securing a with ABC Studios. The company has focused on developing television series and films, including the series Stoner Cats, an animated project funded through NFT sales in 2021. In September 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged the Stoner Cats entity, backed by Orchard Farm Productions, with conducting an unregistered securities offering via NFTs; the project settled the charges by paying a $1 million penalty without admitting or denying wrongdoing. Kunis has engaged in angel investing, participating in at least five startup funding rounds since 2017. Notable investments include a stake in the coconut-based beauty brand Kopari during its $15 million Series A round on January 25, 2017, and fashion label Autumn Adeigbo's Series A round on June 22, 2022. In April 2021, she joined the board of advisors for Bartesian, a Chicago-based cocktail appliance startup, coinciding with its $20 million Series A funding round led by investors including Beam Suntory. In June 2022, Kunis partnered with producer to launch Armored Kingdom Media, a entertainment company developing animated franchises, games, and NFTs centered on a fantasy universe. This venture builds on her prior explorations through Stoner Cats and reflects broader industry shifts toward blockchain-based content funding, though such projects have faced regulatory scrutiny over securities laws.

Charitable efforts and activism

Kunis has supported humanitarian efforts for , her country of birth, particularly following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. In March 2022, she and her husband launched the "Stand With Ukraine" campaign, targeting $30 million to fund emergency aid, refugee logistics via .org, and short-term housing through .org. The couple contributed $3 million of their own funds and matched public donations up to an additional $3 million, with the drive ultimately exceeding $37 million raised by late 2022. She has participated in anti-child initiatives through Thorn, a technology-focused nonprofit co-founded by Kutcher in 2012 to identify victims and combat exploitation. Kunis served as a board observer for the organization until her resignation on September 15, 2023, alongside Kutcher, following public backlash over their prior support for convicted actor . In July 2023, Kunis partnered with to promote a charity pet pack, with proceeds directed to BlueCheck Ukraine for ongoing war relief efforts.

Public image and media

Media portrayals and cultural impact

Mila Kunis has been depicted in media outlets as a prominent , topping Esquire's list of Sexiest Woman Alive in 2012 and featuring highly on Hot 100 rankings, which emphasized her physical appeal alongside her acting prowess. Publications like , , and have similarly lauded her allure, contributing to a public image blending sensuality with approachability. Kunis has publicly dismissed overemphasis on this status, calling it "insane" in interviews while noting the positives of perceived attractiveness, a stance that media coverage has framed as grounded rather than denial. Her portrayals extend to versatile roles challenging conventional tropes, such as the overburdened, rebellious mother in (2016), where media reviews highlighted Kunis's character as a of "sacred" motherhood ideals, portraying domestic and self-liberation without romanticization. In dramatic contexts like (2010), outlets praised her shift from comedic to intense performer, underscoring media narratives of her range beyond . Culturally, Kunis's voicing of on since 1999—beginning at age 15—has cemented the character's status as an enduring emblem of familial neglect and resilience in animated satire, influencing fan discussions and memes around underappreciated siblings in pop culture. Her sustained involvement, spanning over two decades, has been credited with stabilizing the show's voice cast amid its controversial humor, enhancing its longevity as a touchstone for irreverent comedy. Recognition in TIME magazine's 2022 list of the 100 most influential people underscored her broader footprint, blending entertainment with public advocacy.

Health challenges and personal disclosures

Mila Kunis has disclosed suffering from chronic iritis, an of the iris, which caused temporary blindness in her left eye for several years during her childhood and adolescence. The condition also led to the development of a in the affected eye and contributed to her heterochromia, where her irises differ in color—one and one —due to damage from the . Kunis kept the severity of her vision impairment private for years, as it did not prevent her from passing vision tests required for acting roles, including her early work on . In a 2011 Cosmopolitan interview, Kunis publicly revealed the extent of her struggle, stating she had been "blind in one eye for many years, and nobody knew," amid promotion for Black Swan, where her character's mirrored her own experiences. She underwent corrective surgery several months prior to the disclosure, which addressed the blindness and , restoring vision in the eye. The iritis stemmed from an underlying infection or autoimmune response, though Kunis has not specified further causes in public statements. Kunis has occasionally referenced the lasting effects, such as her heterochromia, in later interviews, attributing the eye color disparity directly to the iritis treatment and . No other major chronic health conditions have been verifiably disclosed by Kunis herself, though tabloid rumors during her pregnancies, such as unfounded health scares in , prompted family stress without basis in fact.

Personal life

Relationships and marriage

Kunis dated actor from 2002 until their breakup in early 2011, maintaining a relatively private relationship over nearly nine years. The couple, both former child stars, rarely appeared together publicly, with Kunis later describing the split as "horrible" and attributing fault to herself in a 2016 interview, though she emphasized personal growth from the experience. Kunis began a romantic relationship with her former That '70s Show co-star in April 2012, following their initial on-set meeting in 1998. The pair, who portrayed on-screen couple Kelso and Jackie, transitioned from platonic colleagues to partners after Kutcher's divorce from . They announced their engagement in February 2014 and married on July 4, 2015, in an intimate ceremony at Secret Garden at Oak Glen Preserve in . The couple has two children: daughter Wyatt Isabelle Kutcher, born on October 1, 2014, and son Dimitri Portwood Kutcher, born on November 30, 2016. Kunis and Kutcher have prioritized family privacy, rarely sharing details of their children's lives publicly while co-parenting in . Their marriage has been marked by public affirmations of commitment, including joint statements addressing rumors of discord, which they have consistently denied.

Family and parenting

Kunis married on July 4, 2015, in a private ceremony at the Secret Garden at Parrish Ranch in Oak Glen, California. The couple has two children: daughter Wyatt Isabelle Kutcher, born on October 1, 2014, and son Dimitri Portwood Kutcher, born on November 30, 2016, weighing 8 pounds and 15 ounces at birth. Kunis and Kutcher prioritize their children's privacy, avoiding public photographs or posts of them, and instead share images through a private family network accessible only to relatives like grandparents. In their home, the family maintains an open-door policy, including for bathrooms, to foster transparency and prevent secretive behavior among the children. Kunis has described her parenting philosophy as emphasizing presence and engagement over perfection, stating that attentive involvement constitutes effective motherhood regardless of minor imperfections. She encourages her daughter Wyatt to assert herself physically if pushed by peers, advising her to push back and verbalize boundaries like "no thank you," a stance that once surprised Kutcher. Kunis has also shared that motherhood shifted her focus toward personal growth and realism about parental limitations.

Political views and controversies

Political affiliations and public statements

Mila Kunis has identified as a supporter of the Democratic Party, stating in a 2011 interview that she voted for in 2008 and would "forever be proud" of that decision. She has reiterated her pro-Obama stance publicly, including during discussions of , where she and husband affirmed their Democratic affiliation despite possessing firearms. Kunis has not disclosed donations to specific political campaigns, but her endorsements align with Democratic figures and causes. In November 2017, Kunis disclosed on Conan that she established a recurring monthly donation to in the name of then-Vice President , framing it as a direct response to his opposition to abortion and reproductive health funding. She described the act as a form of symbolic protest, noting she would have donated regardless but chose Pence's name to highlight policy disagreements. The revelation prompted conservative backlash, including boycott calls against , a brand she endorsed at the time. Kunis has voiced opposition to Donald Trump, recounting in 2018 a heated argument with a relative of over the politician's support for the Trump-Pence ticket. She noted that such family tensions arose amid broader political divisions, with Trump supporters reportedly counter-donating to anti-abortion groups in response to her Planned Parenthood contributions. Born in , , Kunis has made public statements emphasizing her heritage in the context of geopolitical events, particularly the 2022 Russian invasion. In March 2022, she described feeling "never... more proud" to be Ukrainian while condemning the aggression, and she co-launched fundraising efforts tied to the conflict's humanitarian impacts. Prior to Volodymyr Zelensky's presidency, Kunis recounted a lighthearted encounter with him during his entertainment career, later highlighting 's resilience in interviews. In May 2023, , Kunis's co-star on , was convicted by a jury of two counts of forcible committed against women in 2003, following a retrial after a in the first proceeding. Prior to Masterson's sentencing on September 7, 2023, Kunis submitted a letter to Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo requesting leniency, describing her 25-year acquaintance with Masterson since their teenage years on the set, portraying him as an "outstanding " and "extremely honest and hardworking individual" whose influence positively shaped her life, while emphasizing that she could not speak to the allegations. Her husband, , submitted a similar letter, calling Masterson a "" who avoided the excesses common in Hollywood. The letters, intended as private character references but released publicly by the , prompted widespread from victims' advocates and commentators, who accused Kunis and Kutcher of undermining sexual assault survivors by vouching for a convicted rapist and prioritizing personal ties over accountability, particularly in the context of the . Critics, including some outlets, highlighted the perceived insensitivity given Masterson's shared affiliation with the victims, which had factored into the trial's allegations of and . The backlash intensified calls for boycotts of their projects and scrutiny of their anti-trafficking nonprofit work, with Kutcher resigning as board chair of Thorn on September 15, 2023, stating it would allow the organization to maintain focus amid the controversy. On September 9, 2023, Kunis and Kutcher released a joint Instagram video apology, expressing regret for any "pain" caused to victims, affirming their support for "real justice" and victims' rights, and clarifying that the letters aimed solely to provide character insight without intending to question the jury's verdict or trial outcome. Kunis reiterated in the video that they had submitted the letters as friends offering personal perspective to aid sentencing discretion, not to endorse or minimize the crimes. Despite the apology, some detractors dismissed it as insincere, viewing the original letters as evidence of misplaced loyalty to Masterson, while defenders argued that character references are standard in U.S. sentencing procedures and based on long-term personal observation rather than denial of guilt. The episode drew comparisons to prior celebrity support letters in high-profile cases, underscoring tensions between personal relationships and public expectations of alignment with victim advocacy narratives.

Associations with other controversies

In July 2021, Kunis drew public criticism for revealing her family's infrequent bathing routine for their children during an appearance on a hosted by Jake Resnicow. She explained that she did not bathe her newborns daily, stating, "I wasn't that parent that bathed my newborns, ever," and that baths occur only "when you can see the dirt on them." Kutcher elaborated on their approach, noting a focus on washing genitals and armpits as needed rather than daily full baths. The comments sparked debate over child hygiene standards, with detractors labeling it neglectful amid concerns about skin infections and bacterial growth, while supporters cited pediatric guidelines from the endorsing baths two to three times weekly for toddlers. Kunis later defended the practice on in September 2021, attributing it to her childhood in without reliable hot water, emphasizing that her children were healthy and odor-free. Kunis has been indirectly linked to scrutiny surrounding Sean Combs' legal troubles through her husband Ashton Kutcher's documented friendship with the rapper, dating to the early 2000s via collaborations and co-hosted events like Combs' annual White Parties. Following Combs' September 2024 federal indictment on charges including , , and transportation for prostitution—allegations spanning 2008 onward—resurfaced photos of Kutcher at Combs' gatherings and Kutcher's 2019 anecdotes about "crazy" parties fueled media speculation and calls for from associates. No direct involvement or allegations have implicated Kunis or Kutcher in Combs' alleged crimes, but the association amplified rumors of marital strain and potential relocation abroad, with outlets reporting Kunis' discomfort over Kutcher's ties. Kutcher has not publicly distanced himself beyond general statements, and the couple's joint public appearances continued amid the fallout. In December 2012, Kunis was targeted in an anti-Semitic by Ukrainian politician Igor Miroshnichenko of the far-right Svoboda party, who posted on calling her a "zhydovka"—a derogatory slur for Jew—while criticizing her support for and perceived lack of Ukrainian loyalty. The remark, amid Svoboda's of and ethnic nationalism, prompted international condemnation from groups like the , highlighting Kunis' Jewish-Ukrainian heritage as a flashpoint in nationalist . Kunis did not publicly respond, but the incident underscored tensions between her immigrant background and ethno-political debates in .

Professional recognition

Awards and nominations

Kunis received early recognition for her role as Jackie Burkhart on That '70s Show (1998–2006), winning two YoungStar Awards for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series in 1999 and 2000. Her performance as Lily in Black Swan (2010) marked a career highlight, earning her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a Critics' Choice nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and a win for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films. She also won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor/Actress at the 2010 Venice Film Festival for the role. The following table summarizes selected awards and nominations across her career:
YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
1999YoungStar AwardsBest Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV SeriesWon
2000YoungStar AwardsBest Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV SeriesWon
2010Won
2011Best Supporting Actress – Motion PictureNominated
2011Best Supporting ActressWon
2011Critics' Choice AwardsBest Supporting ActressNominated
2013Favorite Comedic Movie ActressTedNominated
2015Teen Choice AwardsChoice Movie Actress: Sci-Fi/FantasyNominated
2016Worst ActressNominated
2018Comedy Movie StarThe Spy Who Dumped MeNominated
2022Drama Movie StarNominated
Overall, Kunis has accumulated 14 wins and 62 nominations, with concentrations in supporting roles and comedic performances.

Critical reception and legacy

Kunis's portrayal of Jackie Burkhart on (1998–2006) established her as a capable comedic actress, with her character's evolution from spoiled socialite to more grounded figure drawing consistent viewer engagement over eight seasons, though the series itself garnered modest critical praise focused on ensemble dynamics rather than individual standouts. Her concurrent voice work as on since 1999 has endured as a defining element of the animated series' irreverent humor, sustaining her visibility in television despite the show's polarizing reception for its satirical edge. In film, Kunis achieved a breakthrough with (2008), where critics highlighted her charm and timing in the role of Rachel Jansen, contributing to the film's 84% score and marking her shift toward leading parts. This momentum peaked with Black Swan (2010), earning her widespread acclaim for embodying the seductive rival dancer Lily; reviewers noted her "fresh beauty and focused energy," while the thriller's psychological depth amplified her impact, yielding an 85% approval rating and positioning her alongside Natalie Portman's Oscar-winning performance. Subsequent roles in comedies like Ted (2012), which scored 69% on amid commercial success, showcased her in lighter fare but drew mixed notices for leaning on broad humor over nuance. Later projects reflected varied critical fortunes: (2015) was widely panned for narrative incoherence, with Kunis's lead performance unable to salvage its 28% rating, while dramas such as (2022) praised her for delivering an "eye-opening" intensity in addressing trauma, bolstering the film's thematic weight despite uneven pacing. In (2021), her depiction of addiction alongside earned commendations for authenticity, though the film opted for restraint over bolder resolution. Kunis's legacy lies in her pragmatic navigation from child TV roles to a career blending commercial viability with selective dramatic risks, amassing over $2 billion in global from key titles like (2013) and (2016), where her relatable maternal archetype resonated in ensemble comedies. Her Ukrainian immigrant background underscores a of resilience, influencing public perception of her as a self-made talent who prioritized versatile employment over prestige pursuits, though post-Black Swan output has prioritized family life and selective indie work over consistent critical elevation. This trajectory highlights causal trade-offs in Hollywood, where early acclaim often yields to market-driven choices, sustaining relevance without attaining dramatic pantheon status.

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  62. https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/mila-kunis-on-meg-griffins-most-obscene-family-guy-moments-22958/
  63. https://movieweb.com/family-guy-mila-kunis-meg-griffin-half-life-loves-series/
  64. https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2022/6177757/mila-kunis/
  65. https://www.nydailynews.com/2011/01/11/black-swan-star-mila-kunis-i-was-blind-in-one-eye-for-many-years/
  66. https://www.medpagetoday.com/popmedicine/celebritydiagnosis/24441
  67. https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-body/news/mila-kunis-i-was-blind-in-one-eye-2011101/
  68. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/celebrities-chronic-eye-diseases
  69. https://www.today.com/popculture/mila-kunis-reveals-rumor-gave-her-family-scare-t132317
  70. https://www.instyle.com/celebrity/tbt-mila-kunis-macaulay-culkin-relationship
  71. https://bestlifeonline.com/mila-kunis-macaulay-culkin-breakup/
  72. https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a42544454/mila-kunis-ashton-kutcher-relationship-timeline/
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  74. https://people.com/parents/all-about-mila-kunis-ashton-kutcher-kids/
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  77. https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/mila-kunis-and-ashton-kutcher-kids-a-guide-to-their-children/
  78. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/ashton-kutcher-mila-kunis-son-dimitri-portwood/story?id=43940942
  79. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2017/10/176779/ashton-kutcher-mila-kunis-pictures-children-private
  80. https://www.today.com/parents/moms/mila-kunis-explains-family-doesnt-shut-bathroom-doors-rcna50142
  81. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/19-spot-on-parenting-quotes-from-mila-kunis_n_5b71dab0e4b0530743cc7845
  82. https://people.com/parents/mila-kunis-parenting-fail-caught-ashton-kutcher-off-guard/
  83. https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/slideshow/2602410/mila-kunis-raising-kids-quotes/
  84. https://www.politico.com/blogs/click/2011/09/mila-kunis-still-loves-obama-038949
  85. https://torontosun.com/2015/07/14/mila-kunis-and-ashton-kutcher-own-guns-but-support-obama
  86. https://filmindustry.network/list-of-celebrity-supporters-for-obama-and-romney/16903
  87. https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/mila-kunis-donates-to-planned-parenthood-in-mike-pences-name/
  88. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/mila-kunis-mike-pence-conan-interview-donation-trolling-vice-president-a8036031.html
  89. https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/mila-kunis-reveals-she-makes-planned-parenthood-donations-in-mike-pences-name-causing-jim-beam-boycott
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  91. https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/mila-kunis-reveals-she-argued-with-a-family-member-of-ashton-kutcher-over-donald-trump
  92. https://www.eonline.com/news/1321896/mila-kunis-says-shes-never-been-more-proud-to-be-ukrainian-amid-invasion
  93. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-11-30/mila-kunis-volodymyr-zelensky-people-of-the-year-ukraine
  94. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/07/arts/television/danny-masterson-rape-trial-sentencing.html
  95. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66744480
  96. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/ashton-kutcher-mila-kunis-apologize-letters-support-danny/story?id=103057481
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  109. https://www.tmz.com/2024/09/24/ashton-kutcher-grilled-about-diddy-parties/
  110. https://pagesix.com/2012/12/21/mila-kunis-targeted-by-anti-semitic-ukrainian-pol/
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  113. https://www.kinoafisha.info/en/person/7666487/awards/
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  116. https://www.highonfilms.com/best-mila-kunis-movies/
  117. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_swan_2010
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  119. https://www.thelist.com/1981863/mila-kunis-changed-after-black-swan/
  120. https://www.facebook.com/LostTrailsofHistory/posts/mila-kunis-journey-from-ukraine-to-hollywood-stardom-is-a-story-of-perseverance-/122214800516292159/
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