You probably know him as a smoking hot Hollywood actor with a smoking hot wife to match, but Ashton Kutcher started off as a Hawkeye. Unfortunately, he was recruited to be a model and dropped out before graduating, but we can still claim him as one of our own. He's not just eye candy, though. Kutcher's accomplishments should be an inspiration to all of us current Hawkeyes and here's why.
1. He’s a small-town Iowa boy.
Kutcher grew up in Cedar Rapids and Homestead, Iowa before attending the University of Iowa. He grew up in a typical Midwest home and still made it big in Hollywood.
2. He loves his family.
This one is a heartbreaker. Kutcher’s fraternal twin brother, Michael, was born with cerebral palsy. Michael also received a heart transplant as a child and lived with cardiomyopathy while he and Ashton were growing up. Ashton Kutcher stated that he contemplated committing suicide just so that his brother could receive his heart when he died.
More recently, Kutcher returned to his childhood home in Iowa and completely remade the basement of the house to surprise his mother for Mother’s Day.
3. He’s a successful actor.
Kutcher is most famous for his role as Kelso on "That 70s Show," but he has also acted in 25 films and has appeared in multiple television roles. Kutcher is also credited as the executive producer of multiple television shows, including his most famous production: "Punk’d."
4. He’s a successful businessman.
Kutcher is a venture capitalist. His investments include Skype, Path, Airbnb, Fab.com, and two restaurants. He has had positions with Lenovo and Ooma and he was also featured on "Shark Tank."
5. He and Mila Kunis are goals.
Kutcher was Kunis’ first kiss and they were friends for years before dating. They’re all the love of Kelso and Jackie in real life, minus all of the dramatics.
6. He’s a loving dad.
Kutcher gushes about his daughter at any chance he gets. He told Parade magazine, “I have a new number one priority… Only parents understand the absolute awe of parenthood."
7. He used his social media presence to start a campaign for more diaper-changing stations in men’s restrooms.
Kutcher posted a Change.org petition that he created asking for more diaper-changing stations in men’s restrooms to his social media accounts. The petition currently has 104,385 signatures and Target and Costco have agreed to consider putting more diaper-changing stations in their restrooms.
8. He donates money to worthwhile causes.
According to the Press-Citizen, Kutcher donated money to fund projects in 132 Iowa schools. His money will help buy musical instruments in some schools and will go to STEM class materials in others.
9. He founded an international human rights organization.
His organization, Thorn, protects children around the world from sexual exploitation, including trafficking and child pornography.
10. He helps strangers.
TMZ reported that Ashton Kutcher pulled over to help random strangers whose car battery died. A video of the good deed showed that Kutcher pulled over without even knowing exactly how to help, as he asks the strangers to Google how to find the battery.
11. He’s ridiculously attractive.
Looks definitely aren’t everything, especially when you’re as accomplished as Kutcher. However, look at that face. Here's a fun fact: he was discovered as a model at the Airliner.
