How Debra Jo Rupp Really Felt About Working With Her Late That ’70s Show Co-Star, Lisa Robin Kelly
Debra Jo Rupp acknowledged the sadness that her co-star Lisa Robin Kelly felt behind the scenes.
That ’70s Show did a fantastic job of boosting several careers. The show was a hit for eight seasons but in truth, had the cast stayed intact, perhaps the show could’ve lasted longer. The reboot That ’90s Show is currently enjoying lots of success with Netflix, and received a boost with several former cast members appearing, including Mila Kunis. However, Kunis admitted that her experience was tougher than expected.
She revealed, “It was weird to shoot together, I will tell you. It made me super nervous. Oh my God, I was more nervous doing that than anything else in my career — was to shoot with my husband on the set of ’70s show. ‘Cause the set is exactly the same.”
“To be married, but to be at the place where we met — and it looks the same — was trippy. We walked on set and I was like, ‘Oh … this is weird.’ It was really weird.”
The show had several other memorable cast members including the late Lisa Robin Kelly, who played the role of Laurie. She was a great part of the show, though sadly, she struggled behind the scenes. In the following, we’ll take a closer look at her passing, and what life was like for the actress. We’ll also reveal what her co-stars thought of her contributions to the show, including Debra Jo Rupp’s thoughts.
Lisa Robin Kelly Was Hoping To Return Just Prior To Her Tragic Passing
Lisa Robin Kelly had every intention of improving her health behind the scenes. The actress admitted to having problems during her days on That ’70s Show behind the scenes. “With ‘That ’70s Show’ I was guilty of a drinking problem,” she said. “And I ran. I am not running from this,” Kelly said. “I have paid my dues and if I can make it through this I can make it through anything.”
This would eventually cause her exit from the show but according to her agent, Lisa Robin Kelly had every intention of returning to Hollywood once she got cleaned up.
“Lisa had voluntarily checked herself into a treatment facility early this week where she was battling the addiction problems that have plagued her these past few years,” he said. “I spoke to her on Monday and she was hopeful and confident, looking forward to putting this part of her life behind her. Last night she lost the battle.”
It was a tragic moment and one that left her That ’70s Show castmates emotional, and that includes her TV mother, Debra Jo Rupp.
Debra Jo Rupp Had A Positive Experience Working Alongside Lisa Robin Kelly On That ’70s Show
In a throwback interview alongside OMG Insider, Debra Jo Rupp briefly discusses her time alongside Lisa Robin Kelly on That ’70s Show. As expected, Debra Jo Rupp kept things classy when talking about her co-star.
“I just know that when people have trouble like that, there’s a lot of sadness. I loved her, I loved her, she was so good in that part.”Lisa Robin Kelly would also discuss her own personal battles at the time, which included falling into a depression because she lost a baby. She also had to deal with the embarrassment of her mom seeing her mugshot, which was her low at the time.
“My poor mother has to see that picture. That’s not what I look like. That’s not me.”
“I had lost a baby. As a result of that I lost it. I lost everything and I was abusing alcohol.” She confirmed, “With That ’70s Show I was guilty of a drinking problem. And I ran.”
Despite her tough personal life, Lisa Robin Kelly was a major factor for the success of That ’70s Show in a supporting role. Playing the role of Laurie, fans loved her character on the show, and the many ups and downs Laurie experienced. That held true for her castmates as well, who issued tributes following her passing
Lisa Robin Kelly’s Co-Star Wrote Tributes To The Actress Following Her Passing
Her That ’70s Show co-stars took to Twitter, paying homage. Kurtwood Smith played the role of her TV dad. He commented on her passing. “I am so sorry to hear about Lisa’s passing away,” Kurtwood Smith said in a statement. “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.”
Danny Masterson also commented via Twitter. He wrote, “Terrible, awful news. Brilliant on 70s…. See u next time LRK,kisses. RT @sdavis53: #RIPLisaRobinKelly aka Laurie Foreman.”
Without a doubt, Lisa Robin Kelly is smiling from up above seeing the That ’90s Show reboot, which includes both Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp, along with other former cast members.
