The Ultimate Truth Behind Laurie Forman's Surprising Recasting

Summary

Actress Christina Moore replaced Lisa Robin Kelly as Laurie Forman in That '70s Show's sixth season due to Kelly's personal struggles.

Kelly reportedly left the show due to her escalating alcohol and substance abuse, prompting her decision to enroll in beauty school.

Moore's portrayal of Laurie received a varied response from critics, with some finding the recasting to be disruptive and the character's negative qualities somewhat toned down. Nevertheless, Moore's career flourished during her tenure on the show.

Actress Christina Moore took on the role of Laurie Forman in season 6, replacing Lisa Robin Kelly. Fans of That '70s Show may wonder why Laurie left the show. Laurie was portrayed as manipulative, and her parents had low expectations for her, although she was favored by her father, Red. Despite Kelso being in a relationship with Jackie, he had secret flings with Laurie.

However, during season 3, Laurie mysteriously vanished from the show. In reality, Lisa Robin Kelly was written out of the cast as her character went off to beauty school. Kelly's role on That '70s Show opened up new opportunities for her, including roles in Charmed, Jawbreaker, and Clubland. Laurie did make a comeback in later seasons, but she was portrayed by Christina Moore instead. The decision to recast Laurie was necessary, although it had a tragic backstory.

Laurie Was Recast Due To Lisa Robin Kelly's Personal Struggles

Lisa Robin Kelly's return for the following season of That '70s Show was cut short due to a tragic loss she suffered, reportedly leading to increased alcohol and substance use. Ultimately, her struggles with alcoholism were revealed as the main reason for her departure. Despite managing to mend her relationship with the show, her character's return in season 5 marked the end of her acting career. The scenes featuring Laurie in the season 6 premiere had to be reshot to accommodate the casting change, which occurred before Ashton Kutcher's exit from the show.

In the meantime, MADtv's Christina Moore left the show to take on the role of Laurie in the recast for That '70s Show. Moore had previously worked on popular shows such as Beverly Hills, 90210, The Drew Carey Show, and Friends. However, her time on That '70s Show was short-lived, as she only appeared in six episodes.

Sadly, Lisa Robin Kelly's career or life never fully regained momentum after leaving That '70s Show. In 2010, Kelly faced a DUI arrest and had a record of domestic violence charges. In 2013, just before finalizing her divorce, she was apprehended for another DUI. Determined to turn her life around, the actress embarked on a rehabilitation journey. However, tragically, Kelly passed away in her sleep, and her death was later attributed to an accidental overdose.

How Lisa Robin Kelly's '70s Show Costars Reacted To Her Death

Following the tragic death of Lisa Robin Kelly in 2013, fellow cast members from That '70s Show paid tribute to their beloved colleague. Among those paying their respects was Danny Masterson, known for his portrayal of Hyde on the show, who took to Twitter to express his heartfelt condolences. He wrote, "Terrible, awful news. Brilliant on 70s.... See u next time LRK, kisses. RT @sdavis53: #RIPLisaRobinKelly aka Laurie Foreman." Additionally, Kurtwood Smith, who played the character Red Foreman, released a statement acknowledging the passing of Lisa Robin Kelly. The seasoned actor shared, "I am so sorry to hear about Lisa's passing away. I know the last 10 years have been such a difficult struggle for her, but I will always remember the lovely, funny, and very talented young lady I worked with."

Lisa Robin Kelly's agent, Craig Wyckoff, confirmed that the actress had taken the initiative to seek treatment for her alcohol and substance addiction by admitting herself into a rehabilitation center. Despite the widespread exploitation of celebrities facing similar struggles, such as Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears, Kelly remained optimistic and confident in her path to recovery before her untimely passing.

Tragically, Lisa Robin Kelly's death coincided with a period when the obsession with celebrity gossip was at its peak. If she were to face the same challenges today, it is likely that more support and assistance would be available to her, both on and off the set. Additionally, the tabloid media's reaction might have been less disgraceful and inhumane. Nonetheless, Kelly made a significant impact through her portrayal of Laurie on That '70s Show, and her absence is deeply felt by her loved ones, colleagues, and fans.

Christina Moore Took Over As Laurie

Kelly's departure from That '70s Show led to the introduction of Christina Moore as the new Laurie. Unfortunately, her portrayal in the six episodes she appeared in was not well received. However, it was not the fault of Moore's acting, but rather the writing and execution of the recasting. The new Laurie looked completely different from the original, making it distracting for the audience. Additionally, the character's mean traits were toned down, even though it was those very qualities that made her beloved by viewers.

Despite this setback, Moore had previous success with shows like MadTV and Friends, but it was her role in That '70s Show that really propelled her career. After her brief stint on the show, Moore landed roles in movies such as Without a Paddle and continued to work in sitcoms like Will and Grace and Two and a Half Men. She also had notable roles in 90210 and the medical drama Hawthorne. While it may be unlikely, there is a possibility that Moore could join the cast of That '90s Show season 2.

Laurie Was Absent From That '90s Show

That being said, the spinoff of That '70s Show, titled That '90s Show, does not feature a recast of the character Laurie, and interestingly enough, her existence is never acknowledged. This is rather peculiar, considering she is still supposed to be Red and Kitty's daughter. Additionally, while most of the main cast has returned for That '90s Show, including Tommy Chong's recurring character Leo, Hyde is noticeably absent from the sitcom, and the cast of That '90s Show has yet to mention the character. At this point, it remains uncertain whether Laurie will ever be referenced in the second season of That '90s Show.