To his loved ones and the friends back in his hometown, he’s simply Christopher, or Chris. To the world, he’s recognized by a different name — one tied to a long list of Hollywood roles. Born just five minutes before his twin brother, he grew from being a fiercely protective sibling in childhood to the person who pushed his brother toward finding his life’s purpose.
As a teenager lay in a hospital bed with only hours left to live, his identical twin began seriously considering an option that could take his own life but save his brother’s. Doctors warned the family that there was almost no time left — and the choice they made next would determine everything.
The two had already endured medical challenges since birth, but nothing as urgent as this. What unfolded over the following two days would leave an unshakable mark on the rest of their lives.
An Unexpected Arrival and Early Challenges
In February 1978, Larry and Diane were expecting one baby. Instead, they welcomed twin sons. The first, Christopher, was born healthy, weighing nearly 11 pounds. Just five minutes later, Michael arrived — weighing only 4 pounds and not breathing. His lungs were underdeveloped, and doctors worked frantically to stabilize him.
By the time Michael turned three, Diane noticed he was falling behind his twin in development. Multiple doctor visits eventually led to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) — a neurological condition that can cause issues with muscle tone, posture, and movement.
Experts explain that CP mainly affects motor control but can also impact nearby brain areas. The condition shows up in early childhood, and its effects vary widely from person to person. While CP does not always cause intellectual disabilities, it results from damage to brain regions controlling movement — damage that can occur before, during, or after birth. About 80 percent of cases begin before birth, while around 10 percent occur after. There’s no cure, but symptoms can be managed through tailored treatments.
For Michael, CP affected his vision, hearing, speech, and movement on the right side of his body. At home, with his twin Christopher and their older sister, Tausha, he felt completely included. But beyond that safe space, life was different.
On playgrounds, he endured cruel taunts, mocking of his thick glasses, and name-calling. Christopher often jumped to his defense — once confronting a group of boys hurling insults as they rode bikes. He refused to attend sleepovers unless Michael was also invited; if not, he simply stayed home.
Christopher would tell him, “I wish I could take all of this off you — and carry it myself.” But nothing could have prepared them for the next crisis that would dwarf all earlier struggles.
A New Threat Emerges
At 13, Michael was diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy — his heart had swelled to four times its normal size. Doctors said he had three to four weeks to live. The condition is often linked to myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle that reduces its ability to pump blood effectively.
Myocarditis can be caused by viral infections, allergic reactions to medications, or inflammatory conditions. Severe cases can prevent the heart from supplying enough blood to the body, leading to clots, stroke, or heart attack. Treatments range from medication to surgery, depending on severity.
Not long after his diagnosis, Michael went into cardiac arrest. His prognosis dropped from weeks to just 48 hours — and he needed an emergency heart transplant. That’s when Christopher made a shocking offer to their parents.
The Offer That Left Everyone Speechless
With time running out, Christopher told his parents he was willing to give his own heart to save Michael’s life. Years later, he admitted he had truly meant it. In fact, he had even contemplated jumping from a balcony so his heart could be used for the transplant.
Michael, touched but also wanting to be seen beyond his medical condition, said, “It’s a connection you can’t explain… a deep love for someone who would sacrifice that for you.”
Christopher remembered Michael telling him, “Every time you feel sorry for me, you make me less. This is the only life I’ve ever known. So stop feeling sorry for the only thing I have.”
While they waited for a donor, Michael’s heart stopped in front of Christopher’s eyes. Hospital staff rushed Christopher out of the room. Then, with mere hours left, a matching heart became available. Michael underwent transplant surgery immediately.
Recovery and a Defining Moment
The transplant was a success. Over the following months, Michael regained his strength. On December 11, 2018, he celebrated the 27th anniversary of his surgery, crediting the donor and their family for giving him decades he might not have had.
By then, Christopher — known to the world as Ashton Kutcher — was a household name. He had starred as Michael Kelso in That ’70s Show (1998–2006) and appeared in films like Just Married (2003), A Lot Like Love (2005), and Killers (2010).
In 2003, during a national TV interview, Ashton revealed that Michael had cerebral palsy — something Michael had kept private for years. At first, he was upset. But later, he recognized that Ashton’s disclosure gave him the chance to speak openly and inspire others.
That same year, a woman from Iowa invited him to speak at a gala about living with CP. Initially unsure, he agreed to meet her for coffee — a conversation that convinced him to accept. That speech became the start of his public advocacy work.
Public Advocacy and #BeTheGift
Speaking at that first event gave Michael a sense of purpose he hadn’t anticipated. He became a passionate advocate for disability awareness and organ donation, working with the #BeTheGift campaign to encourage donor registration and highlight the severe shortage of available organs.
The campaign reports that in the U.S., an average of 20 people die each day while waiting for lifesaving transplants. Michael often shares his own story — that, at 13, his life was saved because a matching heart appeared just hours before it was too late.
In January 2019, he reflected, “I’m thankful for another holiday season. I’m thankful for another year to spend with my family. I’m thankful for the chance to impact lives, to be part of #BeTheGift, to raise awareness, get more donations, and raise my son to be the amazing person he is.”
At the time, he was raising a blended family with his partner, including his own 14-year-old son and two younger stepchildren.
Michael Kutcher’s journey has shaped far more than his health — it has deepened his bond with Ashton, whose willingness to sacrifice everything for his twin showed the profound lengths family will go to for each other.
Today, Michael’s story stands as a powerful testament to the importance of organ donation and disability advocacy. His survival proves that awareness and action can save lives — and behind every statistic are families like the Kutchers, whose loyalty and love turned a life-or-death crisis into a lifelong mission.