Mila Kunis’ Parents Spent Last $890 on Her Acting Dream — Years Later She Rebuilt Their Old Home While They Were Out

• Mila Kunis’ parents moved their family from Ukraine to the U.S. in pursuit of a better life for their children.
• They sacrificed everything for the sake of her acting dream—even if it meant being left with only $10 to their name.
• Kunis never forgot what her loving mom and dad did for her, repaying them with kindness and gratitude many years later.

Milena Markovna “Mila” Kunis is an American actress born in 1983 in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. She comes from a Jewish heritage, and her grandparents endured the Holocaust and survived. Her parents, Elvira and Mark Kunis, fled Ukraine in 1991 and moved to Los Angeles for their children’s sake.

When Kunis’ family immigrated to the U.S., her father, an engineer, and her mom, a physics instructor, made the tough decision to leave their careers behind. Her dad took on various odd jobs like painting houses and delivering pizzas, whereas her mom accepted employment at a pharmacy.

In a 2008 interview, Kunis shared that her parents sacrificed everything and came to America with only $250 to provide their children with a better and brighter future.

Despite living in poverty and struggling to build themselves in a new country, her parents didn’t think twice before supporting her passion.

Kunis grew up in a small town in Ukraine, utterly clueless about other continents, languages, or diverse cultures. She was only seven when her family relocated to L.A., which she said was a drastic and shocking change for her. Astonishingly, by age eight, she had adapted well to her surroundings.

When she turned nine, her family moved into a condominium where her mom and dad reside even today. That place became special for Kunis as it held countless golden memories—including her high school graduation, getting her first dog without her parents’ permission, and witnessing important career milestones.

The “Forever Love” star spoke with sheer admiration for her parents, calling her mother the greatest mom on the planet, who raised her kids while working full-time. Kunis said her mom was always there in the mornings to take her and her brother to school while ensuring they had dinner together every night.

On the other hand, she described her father as an incredibly determined man who never asked for assistance and believed in working harder in challenging times.

In a 2016 interview, the Ukraine-born star shared more details about her childhood and how her parents gave everything they had for her happiness and dream. Kunis replied in the affirmative when asked if she ever felt embarrassed as a kid who didn’t fit in the American lifestyle and whose parents didn’t speak English.

The actress explained how everything about her stood out when she arrived in the U.S. in the 1990s because she didn’t know the language and lacked the typical American appearance of blue eyes and blonde hair.

Kunis, who was used to attending school in a uniform in Russia, felt more out of place when she saw other kids in sneakers and jeans. Surprisingly enough, she had never worn jeans and didn’t even know what they looked like.

When she turned nine, Kunis told her parents she wished to take an acting class, which was quite expensive at the time. Despite living in poverty and struggling to build themselves in a new country, her parents didn’t think twice before supporting her passion.

Many years later, Kunis learned that her parents only had $900 in their bank account then, but they didn’t think twice before sacrificing all their savings to enroll her in the acting class. With only $10 left to their name, Elvira and Mark spent $890 on their daughter’s acting dream.

While most parents might have hesitated to help their child due to financial constraints or suggested cheaper options, like attending community theater, Kunis’ mom and dad thought otherwise. “There’s absolutely no rhyme or reason for what my mom did and why she did it,” recalled Kunis.

The “Moving McAllister” alum explained how she and her brother never received birthday or holiday presents. Still, her parents’ willingness to invest in her aspirations was a fortuitous moment defying logical reasoning and showcasing their incredible support and belief in her dreams.

At 11, Kunis ventured into the acting arena, debuting on the daytime soap opera “Days of Our Lives.” Four years later, she starred as Jackie Burkhart in the popular TV series “That 70s Show,” sharing the screen with Laura Prepon and her future spouse, Ashton Kutcher.

The “Boot Camp” star said it was impossible to convince her mom and dad to leave their condo because they were emotionally attached to it.

In 1999, Kunis embarked on an exciting new endeavor and became the voice-over artist for the character of Meg Griffin in Seth MacFarlane’s animated situation comedy series, “Family Guy.”

When asked how she found a manager at the tender age of nine, Kunis attributed it to being at the right place and time. Her manager happened to come across a group of children outside a building on Beverly Drive, and upon learning about the showcase, she introduced herself as a manager.

The young Kunis was astounded by her parents’ response, who told her to meet with whoever responded to her and make her own decision about taking up acting. Despite their economic situation, Elvira and Mark never took a dime from their daughter.

With her parents’ encouragement and her determination, Kunis started doing commercials and did her first one for Camping Barbie, followed by her appearances on television shows, such as “Baywatch.”

The “Walker, Texas Ranger” alum explained how her dad continued to work full-time to provide for his family. Despite struggling to make ends meet, Kunis admired her parents for never touching her money or asking her for help, regardless of their financial crisis.

Although the actress admitted to having a hefty sum in her bank account, her parents never let her pay for dinner and always covered the bill. Kunis noted that her mom and dad never allowed her to spoil them, and they were highly obstinate if she tried to offer them help with a new home or anything else.

In 2016, Kunis decided to renovate her parents’ old home and explained why, “They’ve done so many things for my brother and I…So I desperately want to give them something that I think they deserve.”

The “Boot Camp” star said it was impossible to convince her mom and dad to leave their condo because they were emotionally attached to it. Her parents cherished the bond they shared with their friends residing on the same floor, and it felt like they held a prominent position in their neighboring community.

Kunis stated that her parents’ condo had aesthetic and functional issues, mainly in the family room and kitchen, where everyone gathered. She said the kitchen’s layout isolated whoever was there, hindering effective communication.

From a spatial viewpoint, the furniture’s arrangement was mismatched, and the outdated decor made the house resemble an aesthetic from the 1990s. Kunis mentioned that her parents knew they had to leave the house, but they were oblivious to the plans for the future.

The “Extract” star also expressed sheer gratitude to “Houzz” for helping her manage the renovation project, which she couldn’t have done alone while working full time and pregnant with her second child.

While discussing the dynamics of rebuilding her family home, Kunis told the designer, Breeze, not to move three paintings her parents brought from Russia. The triptych paintings held great significance to her mom and dad as they symbolized the past, present, and future and represented their family.

The “Baywatch” star wanted to preserve the portraits in the space to ensure that they maintained their unique touch and continued to reflect her parents’ essence in the years to come.

Once everything was handled, Kunis was eager to share the surprise with her parents. “I can’t wait to see the reaction on my parents’ faces. I hope they love it,” she added.

Kunis’ enthusiasm for rebuilding her parents’ condo was evident from her active participation in the project. As she jumped into action, she shared how she had wanted to knock down the wall in her family home for 20 years. Despite being nine months pregnant, she was ecstatic to bring it down, and she did.

In a subsequent update, the “American Psycho 2” actress stated that she had been unable to connect with the interior designer in weeks because she was busy delivering her baby.

Kunis, who married Kutcher in 2015, welcomed her son, Dimitri Portwood Kutcher, in November 2016. The pair became parents to their firstborn, a daughter named Wyatt Isabelle Kutcher, in October 2014.

When asked why she decided to spruce up her parents’ first and only home since they arrived in America, Kunis said they deserved a new and fresh beginning—which they never considered or gave much importance to while raising their kids.

The “Four Good Days” alum noted that her parents were almost retired and needed a welcoming change in their lives for all the hard work and love they had always shown to their family.

On their way home, Kunis’ parents reflected on living in the condo for 20 years and spending six weeks out of it. Her father explained how it was challenging for him and his wife to move out and accept their daughter’s changes to the house.

Unsure about what to expect, Elvira and Mark opened the door and stepped inside the condominium they had called home for a long time. Stunned and speechless, they looked around and couldn’t believe their eyes.

When Kunis asked her mom whether she liked the revamped condo, a teary-eyed Elvira could only utter a frail “Yes.” Soon afterward, the “A Bad Moms Christmas” actress hugged her mom while ensuring her gorgeous hair wasn’t ruined.

“Seeing my parents’ reaction to their condo for the first time made everything worth it. All the stress, the timing, everything, and anything became null and void when my mom started crying,” gushed Kunis.

Once they had recovered from their initial shock and excitement, Kunis took her parents on their new and improved condo tour. She showed them how the dining table could be extended on both sides to adjust more people.

When her father remarked the table was spacious enough for six grandchildren, Kunis, a mother of two, amusingly told him not to spread rumors.

While gathered in their living room, Kutcher thanked his in-laws for their unwavering dedication and sheer selflessness. He raised a toast to pay tribute to their hard work and recognized their continued love and support for their children.

The “Two and a Half Men” actor explained that he and Kunis wanted to show their appreciation by doing something special for them. Later, Kutcher lightened the atmosphere with his witty banters, encouraging his emotional mother-in-law to have more champagne.

Kutcher’s moving speech and Kunis’ extraordinary gesture of love moved Elvira and Mark to tears, and they couldn’t help but emphasize their relentless devotion to their kids and grandkids.

The “No Strings Attached” actor doted on Kunis’ parents, saying he couldn’t have asked for better in-laws and made no distinction between them and his family. He felt that the newly renovated space embodied their love and respect for one another.

His parents-in-law acknowledged their occasional disagreements while shedding light on their unconditional love and gratitude for being a happy family. Kunis expressed that the open and bright space would positively impact their lives while looking forward to more gatherings and Sunday dinners.

Besides valuing their familial bonds and admiring their parents, Kunis and Kutcher are dedicated to raising their children as humbly as possible. In a 2018 podcast with Dax Shepherd, the “Spread” actor explained that his kids had lived a privileged life, but he wanted to ensure they didn’t take it for granted.

Kutcher said he refused to take pictures when he was with his children, teaching them to value real moments and experiences instead of material possessions. The actor shared that he planned to expose them to camping trips and instill in them essential skills, such as resourcefulness.

The “Your Place or Mine” alum revealed that he and his wife intended not to establish a trust fund in their kids’ name, choosing instead to donate their money to charitable causes.

Nonetheless, he admitted to being open to investing in their entrepreneurial ventures if they had solid business plans in place, thus motivating them to carve their own path to success.

Kunis’ admiration for her parents, her loving relationship with Kutcher, and the couple’s shared support and love for their kids show how much they cherish their familial connections despite living in the spotlight.

We hope they continue to prosper in love and create countless precious memories in their revamped family home, echoing their affection, support, and devotion for each other.