Unveiling the Intricate Family Tree of That '70s Show's Forman Clan

Summary

The dynamics of the Forman family are a highlight of both That '70s Show and That '90s Show, providing numerous jokes throughout the shows' nine combined seasons.

Red Forman, the family patriarch, is adored by fans of both shows for his deadpan humor. His wife, Kitty Forman, exudes cheerfulness but is prone to feeling overwhelmed.

While Eric Forman serves as the primary protagonist in That '70s Show, his absence in the later seasons contributed to a decline in the series' overall quality. The central storyline revolves around his enduring relationship with Donna, his long-term girlfriend turned wife. In That '90s Show on Netflix, their daughter, Leia, takes on a prominent role as a main character.

That '70s Show and its spinoff, That '90s Show, center around the Forman family, consisting of Red, Kitty, Eric, Leia, and a few other recurring members. The popular Fox sitcom aired from 1998 to 2006 and was set in the fictional town of Point Place, Wisconsin, during the mid to late 1970s. Alongside the Forman family, the series featured Eric's close-knit group of friends - Donna Pinciotti, Jackie Burkhart, Michael Kelso, Steven Hyde, and Fez.

The dynamics of the Forman family are a key aspect of both That '70s Show and The '90s Show. Their relationships serve as a source of many jokes throughout the combined nine seasons (That '70s Show ran for eight seasons, while That '90s Show has only aired one season on Netflix at the time of writing). The original series had a more extensive roster of Forman family members compared to the sequel set in the mid-1990s, where Red, Kitty, and Leia are the only prominent members. Nevertheless, the Forman family tree remains relatively straightforward, with just eight relatives appearing in the two series.

Bernice Forman

Red Forman

Bernice Forman, portrayed by Marion Ross, was the eldest member of the Forman family in That '70s Show. She played the role of Red's mother and Eric's grandmother, making appearances in four episodes across the first two seasons of the Fox sitcom. Unfortunately, Bernice's husband, Albert Forman, had passed away before the events of the first season, and tragically, Bernice herself would not survive beyond the initial set of episodes. Her presence could be seen in three episodes, namely "Sunday, Bloody Sunday," "The Best Christmas Ever," and "Grandma's Dead." The title of the final episode already hinted at Bernice's demise, which occurred in Eric's car immediately after he uttered the words, "I don't think being nice for a whole day would kill you."

Kurtwood Smith portrayed Red Forman in both That '70s Show and That '90s Show. As a main character in both series, Red serves as the authoritative figure within the Forman family. With his deadpan humor, he quickly became a beloved character among fans. Red and Kitty first got together at a USO dance over two decades prior to the original sitcom's events. Over time, they welcomed two children, Laurie and Eric. In That '90s Show, Red's granddaughter, Leia, pays him and Kitty a visit during the summer of 1995.

Marty Forman

Red's younger brother, Marty Forman, portrayed by Pat Skipper, made a solitary appearance on That '70s Show in the episode titled "Grandma's Dead" during the show's first season. Marty arrived in town to attend their mother's funeral, revealing stark differences between him and Red. In stark contrast to Red, Marty displayed a deep emotional sensitivity and consistently encouraged his family members to freely express their emotions, particularly during the heightened emotions of the funeral. Consequently, Red and Marty had a strained relationship, as Red regarded his brother as less manly due to his contrasting behavior.

Kitty Forman

Kitty Forman (née Sigurdson), portrayed by Debra Jo Rupp, joined the Forman family in That '70s Show through marriage, causing dissatisfaction for her mother-in-law Bernice who had hoped for a wealthier union. Unlike her husband, Kitty exudes a cheerful demeanor; however, she can easily crumble under extreme pressure. In the initial series, Kitty worked as a nurse and occasionally displayed an overbearing attitude towards her offspring and grandchild. In the subsequent revival, That '90s Show on Netflix, Kitty, alongside Kurtwood Smith's character Red, continued their narrative approximately 17 years later.

Laurie Forman

Red and Kitty's oldest child, Laurie Forman, portrayed by Lisa Robin Kelly in the early seasons and later replaced by Christina Moore in season 6, was born in 1958. This made her 18 years old during the first season of That '70s Show. Laurie happens to be Eric's elder sister, and their relationship was characterized by mutual disdain in the initial series. Frequently, Laurie would torment Eric with hurtful words while he held her in low regard. Although Eric was undeniably Kitty's favorite child, Laurie held a special place in her father's heart.

Eric Forman

Despite being an ensemble cast, Eric Forman was the central character in the Fox comedy TV series 'That '70s Show'. He took on the role of the de facto leader within the core group of friends while his family played a significant part in the show's storyline. Unfortunately, actor Topher Grace, who portrayed Eric, chose to depart from the series after the seventh season. This absence was one of the factors that contributed to the decline of the show in its eighth and final season. However, Grace did make a brief return in 'That '90s Show', where it was revealed that his character had married Donna and they had a daughter named Leia.

Donna Pinciotti

Donna Pinciotti (played by Laura Prepon) begins her journey on That '70s Show as Eric's long-term girlfriend, even though she is not initially part of the Forman family. However, their relationship becomes so significant throughout the series that she might as well have been a member of the family. In the Netflix sequel series, That '90s Show, Donna and Eric are officially married, solidifying her status as an official Forman.

Donna, who was Eric's next-door neighbor while growing up, was always a close friend. As they grew older, their friendship transformed into romantic feelings, which they finally acted upon during the first episode of the Fox sitcom. Their relationship had its share of ups and downs over the seasons, but as portrayed in the Netflix sequel series, the couple eventually found their happily ever after.

Leia Forman

Leia Forman is the final member of the Forman family in the That '70s Show universe. She is the daughter of Eric and Donna and makes her first appearance in the first episode of That '90s Show. Leia, portrayed by Callie Haverda, is named after Princess Leia from Star Wars, which happens to be one of Eric's favorite movies. She was born in 1980, a decade after the original series finale. As her father was the main protagonist in That '70s Show, it was fitting for Leia to be the star of the sequel on Netflix.