American actor Ashton Kutcher, known for his role as Walden Schmidt in Two and a Half Men, has a twin brother he once offered his heart to. Their story highlights a powerful sibling bond.
Ashton Kutcher, born on February 7, 1978, is a well-known Hollywood actor, thanks to his roles in various TV series and movies. He shares a close bond with his twin brother, Michael Kutcher, who has faced serious health challenges, prompting Ashton to once offer him his own heart.
Ashton’s Career:
Ashton’s acting journey began with the role of Michael Kelso on That ’70s Show. His film debut came in 1999 with the romantic comedy Coming Soon, followed by success with Dude, Where’s My Car? in 2000. He starred in popular romantic comedies like Just Married and My Boss’s Daughter in 2003. He also created and produced Punk’d, hosting eight of its ten seasons. In 2004, Ashton took on a lead role in the psychological thriller The Butterfly Effect.
In the years that followed, Ashton Kutcher continued his success in romantic comedies, starring in Guess Who, What Happens in Vegas, and No Strings Attached. From 2011 to 2015, he played Walden Schmidt on the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men. In 2013, Ashton portrayed Steve Jobs in the biographical film Jobs.
Beyond acting, Ashton is also a venture capitalist. He co-founded A-Grade Investments, a venture capital firm, and in 2015 introduced its successor, Sound Ventures.
Ashton Kutcher has invested in numerous tech startups, including over 60 companies like Skype, Airbnb, and Path, in addition to his venture capital firms.
Ashton has been married twice. His first marriage was to actress Demi Moore in September 2005. They separated in 2011, and Ashton filed for divorce in December 2012, which was finalized in November 2013.
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis began dating in 2013 and got engaged in early 2014. They welcomed their first child, Wyatt Isabelle, in October 2014 and married in July 2015. In November 2016, they had their second child, Dimitri Portwood. The family resides in a sustainable farmhouse in Beverly Hills, which they designed with architect Howard Backen.
Ashton Kutcher and his twin brother, Michael, share a close bond that began at birth. Michael, born significantly smaller and struggling to breathe, survived due to his strong will and the dedication of medical staff. At 13, he faced developmental challenges and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy before starting kindergarten. Throughout his childhood, Michael received immense love and support from his family, including Ashton, who helped him value his health and embrace life despite his circumstances.
At age 13, Ashton’s twin brother, Michael, was diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy, which caused his heart to enlarge to four times its normal size. Doctors initially gave Michael a few weeks to live, but after he suffered cardiac arrest, his prognosis dropped to just 48 hours.
In that critical time, Ashton wished he could give his own heart to save Michael. Reflecting on Ashton’s selfless offer, Michael shared with Us Weekly that their connection is indescribable, saying, “It’s an honor or deep appreciation and a deep love for someone who would sacrifice that for you.”
After surviving another near-death experience, Michael became deeply aware of life’s fragility, motivating him to take control of a future he once doubted he would see. In his interview with Us Weekly, he shared a pivotal moment with Ashton, reflecting on this newfound appreciation for life and the impact it had on both of them. Michael recalled telling Ashton:
Michael came to believe that his life had a purpose: to use his voice and platform to advocate for disability rights and promote organ donation awareness.
However, despite their close bond, there was a time when Michael felt anger toward Ashton, who had otherwise been a steadfast support throughout his life.
Several years ago, Ashton, with good intentions, publicly revealed that Michael had cerebral palsy during an appearance on national television. However, Michael was mortified by the disclosure, as he had spent much of his life trying to keep his condition private. He shared with Today Parents how he felt, expressing that it was a deeply uncomfortable moment for him.
Michael’s initial anger towards Ashton soon transformed into gratitude, as he recognized that his brother’s revelation had a profound impact on his life. He acknowledged that Ashton had done him the biggest favor by allowing him to be his true self.
A few months after the revelation, Michael received a call from a woman in Iowa, inviting him to speak at a gala about living with cerebral palsy. The woman had a five-year-old daughter, Bella, who suffered from a severe form of the condition and couldn’t speak. Despite Bella’s challenges, she had a bright smile that left a lasting impression on Michael.
Meeting Bella had a profound effect on Michael, as her bright smile and resilience made him realize he needed to let go of the shame he had carried about his condition. It inspired him to advocate for others like her. From that moment, Michael knew he was ready to share his story, especially with the significant reach he had thanks to his brother Ashton.
Michael now works closely with The Cerebral Palsy Foundation and Donate Life, serving as an advocate and public speaker. He has contributed to raising awareness for both local and national fundraising initiatives, making a meaningful impact in the disability and organ donation communities.
In 2017, Ashton Kutcher delivered an emotional tribute to his twin brother, Michael, while receiving the Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award. He shared how Michael’s struggle with cerebral palsy taught him that love is not a choice and that people are not created equally in terms of abilities, thinking, or perceptions.
Ashton explained that while everyone is unequal in what they can do, everyone has an equal capacity to love one another, a lesson he learned from his brother. Although Ashton spent many years feeling bad about the disparities between him and Michael, Michael rejected that notion, teaching Ashton to embrace their differences.
Both Ashton and Michael have had extraordinary journeys and continue to be there for each other, inspiring others through their achievements and unwavering support.
