That ’70s Showis one of America’s most beloved sitcoms. The show originally aired on Fox from 1998 to 2006 but remains popular through its cast of lovable characters, quirky dialogue, and non-stop laughs. The success of this show hasinspired a spinoffseries calledThat ’90s Show, which will stream on Netflix and contains much ofthe original cast. The show takes place in the fictional town of Point Place, Wisconsin, uniquely representing regional mid-west culture, and, more generally, the easy-going lifestyle of the 70s.
At its core, the show is a comedy. But it sets itself apart from other television series by using humor as a tool for addressing poignant social issues, generational conflict, economic hardship, mistrust of the American government, and drug use. Its representation of working-class blue-collar Americans resonated with many of its viewers, and the show was nominated for 16 Primetime Emmy Awards over the course of its life. The show finds its real success through its cast of affable characters, each of whom has unique relationships with one another. Here is every major character from the show, ranked.
9Bob Pinciotti
Bob Pinciotti is the father of Donna and neighbor to the Formans; he is played byDon Stark. The actor is also known for his role inStar Trek: First ContactandPeggy Sue Got Married.His relationship with the kids on the show is not as strong as Kitty and Red’s, and the majority of his interactions are with the other parents. The character is lovable and a bit oafish, but the realistic rendition of a Midwestern father makes him a key asset to the show.
8Stephen Hyde
Stephen Hyde, played byDanny Masterson, is the classic burnout stoner character. For a time he lives with the Forman family and develops an open rapport with Red and Kitty as theystart to treat him like a son. Much of his comedy comes from his outlandish theories and the antagonizing of Donna and Jackie. He fits the archetype of the groovy ’70s deadbeat and fits into the world of the show seamlessly.
7Jackie Burkhart
Played byMila Kunis, Jackie plays your typical popular kid in school. She prides herself on her good looks, and many of her funny lines come from her superficial interests and absentmindedness. Jackie, however, gains depth with her insight into romantic relationships and quick wit when countering insults from the other characters.Kunis has also landed rolesin feature-length films likeBlack SwanandForgetting Sarah Marshall,the former of which she was nominated for a Golden Globe.
6Micheal Kelso
Micheal Kelso, often called by just his last name, is played byAshton Kutcher. In a similar role to Jackie, he plays a sort of airhead cool guy. Although the character can be quite dumb, he is also incredibly sensitive and centers his life around his love interests at the time. Kutcher plays the role marvelously andmarried Mila Kunis in 2015. He has been featured in films such asNo String AttachedandA Lot Like Love, as well as the television seriesTwo and a Half MenandThe Ranch.
5Donna Pinciotti
Donna is one of the core members of the group and long-time friends with Eric. She is a strong-willed and intelligent teenager with overwhelming confidence that often leads to arrogance. She uses a healthy amount of sarcasm, which is where a lot of her character’s humor comes from. She is known for not having the best relationship with her parents, and often comes to the Formans' house to escape the drama of her own household.Laura Preponplays Donna in this series and is also known for her performances inOrange Is the New Blackand The Hero.
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4Kitty Forman
America’s favorite mother, Kitty Forman, played byDebra Jo Rupp, is the wife of Red Forman and the mom of Eric Forman. Her motherly love doesn’t stop at the immediate family; she takes on a matriarchal role with all of Eric’s friends, offering assistance and also stern guidance when needed. Her contagious laughter and ability to tell it how it is, make her a hilarious cast member and a great addition to the show.
Fez is an exchange student with a running joke about his unknown home country. He wearsflamboyant clothing and is outgoing. Fez is a good friend of Eric, Donna, Hyde, Jackie, and Kelso, and is an integral part of their group of friends. The character is portrayed byWilmer Valderrama, who is also known for his part inLarry CrowneandNCIS.
2Eric Forman
Eric can be viewed as the main character of the series; his parents play strong roles in the show, and his house, including the infamous smoke circle, is where the teenagers spend much of their time. He is an easygoing guy with good relationships with his friends and family. The Eric Forman character is played byTopher Grace, who is also known for his acting inSpider-Man 3andIn Good Company.
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1Red Forman
Although maybe not one of the core characters which the show centers around, Red Forman gets his fair share of screen time and is behind some of the funniest jokesof the entire series. Red is a hardworking, stern father, with a dry demeanor, but behind his cold exterior is a loving father who wants to see the best in his kids and their friends. He imparts wisdom through sarcastic quips and is not afraid to be blunt about his feelings. Red is played by Kurtwood Smith, who is also known for his role inRoboCopandStar Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
