Joseph Gordon-Levitt appeared in a memorable episode of That ’70s Show that many viewers would consider a landmark moment for television. The actor played Buddy Morgan in an episode that aired in 1998 during the sitcom’s debut season. Here’s what happened to the character in the series and why his cameo is still talked about over two decades later.

After making a name for himself on 3rd Rock from the Sun, Gordon-Levitt guest-starred on That ’70s Show season 1 episode titled “Eric’s Buddy”. In the episode, Buddy was paired with the central character, Eric Forman (Topher Grace), as lab partners at school. Buddy was considered rich and popular while his cool car quickly won over Eric. The lab partners spent a lot of time together, and Eric quickly realized that Buddy was more than just his social status.

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In reality, Buddy was gay and had a major crush on Eric. Due to Eric’s constant talk about his complicated relationship with Donna Pinciotti, Buddy thought that Eric might also be gay. After a heart-to-heart, Buddy made his move and planted a kiss on Eric. Grace’s character, of course, wasn’t gay and acted in complete shock. Eric came clean to his friends about the encounter but Buddy was never seen on the show again. Gordon-Levitt’s time on That ’70s Show was brief, but it was significant with regards to TV history.

Why Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Cameo On That ’70s Show Was So Groundbreaking

The kiss between Gordon-Levitt and Grace on That ’70s Show was the first-ever kiss between two males on North American primetime TV. The 1998 kiss from the actors occurred just mere months before another gay kiss on Dawson’s Creek. It wasn’t the first gay kiss, however, since there were several shows prior to That ’70s Show that featured a smooch between two female characters. Even though it was the late ’90s, it was still a big moment for TV and something the cast and crew were proud to include. Unfortunately, the reaction from fans was mixed.

There were rumors that Gordon-Levitt was set for a recurring role on the series but audience reception regarding the kiss nixed that idea. Some weren’t offended by the kiss, but instead, how Eric reacted to Buddy’s sexuality in an over the top manner. There was also criticism pointing out that the kiss and reaction were meant for laughs. On the other hand, Buddy felt comfortable with himself and felt no shame in his identity, which was why Gordon-Levitt felt so proud portraying the character in that scene. The series was also set in the ’70s when many people weren’t open to homosexuality, and the situation was a product of the times. Either way, that episode from That ’70s Show served as a lesson in representation for all involved.

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Kara Hedash
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Kara Hedash is a features editor and writer for Screen Rant. From time to time, she dives into the world’s most popular franchises but Kara primarily focuses on evergreen topics. The fact that she gets to write about The Office regularly is like a dream come true. Before joining Screen Rant, Kara served as a contributor for Movie Pilot and had work published on The Mary Sue and Reel Honey. After graduating college, writing began as a part-time hobby for Kara but it quickly turned into a career. She loves binging a new series and watching movies ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to hidden indie gems. She also has a soft spot for horror ever since she started watching it at too young of an age. Her favorite Avenger is Thor and her favorite Disney princess is Leia Organa. When Kara’s not busy writing, you can find her doing yoga or hanging out with Gritty.

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