Ashton Kutcher. He's not a dummy, he just played one on TV. As the infamous Michael Kelso he had the whole world fooled. Beyond the lens, this dude is definitely smarter than the average Joe. Now little Kelso is all grown up, married a movie star and become one heck of a Hollywood mogul!

Besides, I just like saying his name. Ashton Kutcher. Read it aloud. Ashton Kutcher. It really has a ring to it!

Though he could have easily banked on the success of That 70s show, he quickly began branching out and taking on new, diverse projects. And no, I don't mean his movie career. Though yes, of course, he's also been successful at that.

What really set Ashton apart was the celebrity smashing Punk'd, which catapulted him from talent to show creator and executive producer with this MTV gem. Who can forget the time he almost made Justin Timberlake cry because they told him all his stuff - including his dogs - had been repossessed by the IRS? Classic!

Now I'll be honest, when I heard about his next project, Beauty and the Geek, I doubted it would have the success or quality of Punk'd. I'm a skeptic. But still, I gave it a shot. It turned out the show actually touched my heart. Yes, I have a heart. Not all celebrity-journalist types are on the dark side of the force, you now. We're just not easily impressed and doubt anything will be good. We're manic depressives, basically.

Beauty and the Geek proved to be a hit. With the show hanging around the CW for at least the next two years, an upcoming reality series based around rap group Three 6 Mafia, as well as another reality series called The Real Wedding Crashers, you'd think this guy would have his hands full.

That's not all. In addition to other network shows, possibly on CBS or ABC, Ashton's interests go further than the entertainment industry.

He's part of the management team for Ooma, a tech start-up launched last year. Ooma is a Voice over Internet Protocol business (fancy long-winded name for, essentially, an internet phone company). He's the Creative Director, working with the marking campaign and producing viral videos to promote their handy online service.

But wait, there's more! Dang, I feel like a late-night infomercial, selling you Ashton Kutcher. This guy's got a lot going on! He can also cut through this tin can!

As another elegant diversion to showbiz, he's invested in the Los Angeles Italian eatery Dolce (along with other owners including former 70s Show castmates Danny Masterson and Wilmer Valderrama, by the way). I've eaten there, it's not bad!

Add all thus up and consider that Ashton just broke thirty this past February. Suddenly I feel like I've done nothing with my life. Maybe we can all learn a little something from the kid who came to L.A. as a fresh young thing from Cedar Rapids, Iowa - and became a modern day Hollywood legend.

Word.
-Wes

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