Celebrity

Ashton Kutcher Almost Made The Ultimate Sacrifice For His Brother

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Celebrity twins are few and far between, but they do exist.

Of course, there are double acts like Sister Sister stars Tia and Tamera Mowry. But stars like Scarlett Johansson and Vin Diesel also have less famous twins, who are not identical.

One of Hollywood's best-kept-secret twins is Michael Kutcher, the twin brother of That 70s Show actor Ashton Kutcher. But although Michael is not as famous as his brother, the Kutchers share an incredible life story straight out of a Hollywood movie.

Michael Kutcher

Michael, who has cerebral palsy, suffered from other health problems as a teenager. He was diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy, a condition that made his heart swell dangerously, when he was only 13.

After suffering a heart attack because of his condition, doctors gave Michael just 48 hours to live. That's when Ashton offered to donate his matching heart to his brother, volunteering to sacrifice his own life to save his twin.

Luckily, another donor was found just in time, and Kutcher's sacrifice was not needed. But Michael told Us Weekly that Ashton's heartfelt gesture meant the world to him.

"It's just ... I can't find the words," he said. "It's a connection that you can't explain. In all seriousness, we're just very connected... It's an honor or deep appreciation and a deep love for someone who would sacrifice that for you. I really can't put words to it."

Michael Kutcher

Michael also spoke about feeling "different" from his brother because of his disability and his health struggles, and how he refused to let Ashton see him that way.

"Every time you look at me, every time you feel sorry for me, in a way, you make me less. You make me less," Michael told his brother.

"I am who I am, right? I was put in these situations. Who I am is for a reason. I strongly feel that a major part of that reason is to be an advocate and be outspoken and use the platform that I am to advocate for disability, to advocate for organ donation, and I feel I've found my purpose in that."

Today, Michael uses the dramatic story of his famous brother's generosity to promote Be The Gift, a campaign that urges people to sign up for organ donation.

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The campaign says that 20 people die each day waiting for organ transplants that could have saved their lives. If it wasn't for a stroke of luck, Michael could have been one of them.

Like his famous brother, who has two children with actress Mila Kunis, Michael has also started his own family, and says he's "thankful for the ability to enjoy the holidays another year with my family."

[H/T: Us Weekly]

Did you know Ashton Kutcher has a twin brother?

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