US News

Conservatives praise Ashton Kutcher’s work-ethic speech at ‘Teen Choice Awards’

WORKING ACTOR: Ashton Kutcher (as Steve Jobs in “Jobs”) is getting rave reviews from conservatives for his work-ethic speech to teens. (Open Road Films)

WASHINGTON — “Two and a Half Men” star Ashton Kutcher — a staunch supporter of President Obama — has become the unlikely darling of conservatives for extolling the virtues of work in a speech before a teen audience.

Former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin became the latest conservative leader to heap praise on Kutcher, 35, for talking up the importance of work and playing down the importance of sex appeal during the televised “Teen Choice Awards.”

“Good to see his Iowa roots shining through all that Hollywood glitter!” Palin gushed on her Facebook page. “As they say — you can take the boy out of Iowa, but you can’t take Iowa out of the boy.”

The former co-star of “That 70s Show” and the new movie “Jobs” was also applauded by Tea Party champion Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and conservative talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh.

“Remarkable speech,” Cruz tweeted with a link to a YouTube video of the speech, which has received more than 3 million views.

Kutcher’s speech, delivered at the entertainment awards show geared toward youth and aired last week on the kid-friendly Nickelodeon channel, gave conservative leaders a rare opportunity to ally themselves with a genuine Hollywood heartthrob.

The feeling, however, isn’t likely mutual.

Kutcher gave $50,000 to Obama and Democratic Party campaigns last year, Federal Election Commission records show.

In his acceptance speech for the night’s top honor, the Ultimate Choice award, Kutcher revealed that his real name was Chris. Ashton is his middle name.He then launched into a stirring advocacy for a strong work ethic that he said he learned before becoming a celebrity, instructing the young crowd that “opportunity looks a lot like work.”

“When I was 13, I had my first job with dad carrying shingles to the roof, and then I got a job washing dishes at a restaurant, and then I got a job in a grocery-store deli, and then I got a job in a factory sweeping Cheerio dust off the ground,” he recalled.

“And I never had a job in my life that I was better than. I was always just lucky to have a job,” preached Kutcher. “And every job I had was a stepping stone to my next job, and I never quit my job until I had my next job. And so opportunities look a lot like work.”

The actor also warned his ’tween and teenage fans not to worry about being “sexy.”

“Don’t buy it,” he said. “The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart, and being thoughtful, and being generous. Everything else is crap. I promise you.”

Limbaugh on his radio show called Kutcher’s message to young Americans “a traditional, uplifting, motivational and inspirational speech on how he became successful.”

Limbaugh said that he didn’t know Kutcher, but that “what he said is right on. All I know is that what he said is exactly what young people in this country need to hear.”