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That '70s Show character guide

Who is Donna Pinciotti in That '70s Show?

Eric Forman's smart, tomboyish girl next door in Point Place, Wisconsin, whose on-again, off-again romance with Eric anchors That '70s Show from the pilot to the finale.

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Donna Pinciotti's Sitcomdle clue card

The five clues the game shows when Donna Pinciotti is the answer or a guess.

Show
That '70s Show
Debut
1998
Network
FOX
Role
Main
Gender
Female

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Show
That '70s Show
Played by
Laura Prepon
First episode
“That '70s Pilot”Season 1, Episode 1, aired August 23, 1998
Role
Main cast
Network
FOX
Occupation
Student, radio station intern, later author
Show run
1998 to 2006

Donna Pinciotti is the clever, confident redhead who lives next door to the Formans and spends most of her free time in their basement. Played by Laura Prepon, she is the group's sharpest mind and Eric's longtime girlfriend.

On That '70s Show, Donna Pinciotti's story runs through Eric Forman (Boyfriend), Jackie Burkhart (Best Friend), Michael Kelso (Friend), Steven Hyde (Friend), Kitty Forman (Neighbor), and Red Forman (Neighbor).

Donna Pinciotti from That '70s Show: Sitcomdle character card

Who is Donna Pinciotti?

Donna is the only child of Bob and Midge Pinciotti, the friendly, oblivious couple who live next door to Red and Kitty Forman. She grew up alongside Eric, and the pilot ends with her kissing him, the moment that starts the show's central love story.

She is intelligent, athletic, and outspoken, a proud feminist who can hang with the guys in the basement circle and still beat them at most arguments. Her parents embarrass her constantly, and over the years she becomes something close to a second daughter to Kitty.

Personality and comedy

Donna is often the straight woman of the group, the one who rolls her eyes at Kelso's latest scheme or calls Eric out when he is being a coward. Laura Prepon plays her as dry and unflappable, which makes the rare moments when Donna loses her cool land even harder.

At first she has little patience for Jackie, who is everything Donna is not: spoiled, boy crazy, and obsessed with appearances. The show slowly turns them into real friends, and their odd-couple friendship becomes one of its warmest threads, especially after Jackie moves in with the Pinciottis.

Key storylines

Donna and Eric's relationship moves through nearly every stage a teen romance can: their first date, their first time together on the day of her parents' vow renewal, getting caught by their parents, and a painful breakup in the season three finale when Eric's promise ring makes her feel trapped. In season four she dates Kelso's older brother, Casey, and the season ends with her running off to California with Kelso.

Eric follows her west, they reunite, and in season five he proposes. Their wedding is called off at the end of season six when both of them get cold feet. After Eric leaves to teach in Africa, Donna ends their relationship long distance, and she spends much of the final season dating Randy Pearson, but she reconciles with Eric in the series finale.

Behind the scenes and legacy

Laura Prepon played Donna for all eight seasons. She later became widely known for her role as Alex Vause on Orange Is the New Black, and she returned as Donna in the Netflix sequel That '90s Show, which premiered in 2023.

The sequel confirms the happy ending fans wanted: Donna and Eric married, moved to Chicago, and had a daughter named Leia, the sequel's main character. Donna has also become a published author, a fitting future for the most bookish member of the basement crew.

Key Donna Pinciotti episodes

  1. “That '70s Pilot”Season 1, Episode 1Donna kisses Eric for the first time at the end of the night, kicking off their romance.
  2. “The First Time”Season 2, Episode 16While writing her parents' vows, Donna decides she and Eric are ready to sleep together.
  3. “The Promise Ring”Season 3, Episode 25Eric's promise ring makes Donna unsure about the commitment, and the couple breaks up.
  4. “Love, Wisconsin Style”Season 4, Episode 27Dumped by Casey Kelso, Donna escapes Point Place by heading to California with Michael Kelso.
  5. “Hot Dog”Season 5, Episode 7Eric buys an engagement ring and makes up his mind to propose to Donna.
  6. “That '70s Finale”Season 8, Episode 22Eric comes home on New Year's Eve 1979 and he and Donna reconcile.

Season and episode numbers follow the original broadcast order.

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Donna Pinciotti: frequently asked questions

Who plays Donna in That '70s Show?

Laura Prepon plays Donna Pinciotti in all eight seasons of That '70s Show, and she returned to the role in the Netflix sequel That '90s Show.

Do Eric and Donna end up together?

Yes. After breakups, a canceled wedding, and a long-distance split, they reunite in the series finale. That '90s Show reveals they later married and had a daughter, Leia.

Why did Donna and Eric's wedding get called off?

Both of them got cold feet. Eric disappeared before the rehearsal at the end of season six, and when he came back, Donna admitted she was not ready either, so they called it off.

Who does Donna date in season 8?

Donna dates Randy Pearson, who works at Hyde's record store, for most of the final season. They break up before Eric comes home in the finale.

Is Donna in That '90s Show?

Yes. Laura Prepon appears as Donna, now Eric's wife and the mother of the sequel's lead character, Leia.

Test yourself: Donna Pinciotti quiz

5 questions about Donna Pinciotti. Think of your answer, then open the reveal to check it.

  1. Question 1

    What gift from Eric leads to his breakup with Donna at the end of season three?

    1. A puppy
    2. A promise ring
    3. A mixtape
    4. A Star Wars poster
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. A promise ring

    In "The Promise Ring," Donna is not ready for that kind of commitment, gives the ring back, and the couple splits.

    See question 10 in the full quiz

  2. Question 2

    What is the name of Donna's father, the Formans' next-door neighbor?

    1. Leo
    2. Bud
    3. Jack
    4. Bob
    Show the answer

    Answer: D. Bob

    Bob Pinciotti is the cheerful dad next door, and Donna is quite literally the girl next door to Eric.

    See question 11 in the full quiz

  3. Question 3

    Who plays Donna Pinciotti in That '70s Show?

    1. David Ogden Stiers
    2. Laura Prepon
    3. B. J. Novak
    4. Phyllis Smith
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. Laura Prepon

    Laura Prepon plays Donna Pinciotti.

  4. Question 4

    In what year did Donna Pinciotti first appear on That '70s Show?

    1. 2001
    2. 1992
    3. 2002
    4. 1998
    Show the answer

    Answer: D. 1998

    Donna Pinciotti debuted in 1998, in "That '70s Pilot" (Season 1, Episode 1). That year is the Debut clue in the game.

  5. Question 5

    Which episode was Donna Pinciotti's first?

    1. "All the Way"
    2. "That '70s Pilot"
    3. "The Alliance"
    4. "Pilot"
    Show the answer

    Answer: B. "That '70s Pilot"

    Donna Pinciotti first appeared in "That '70s Pilot," Season 1, Episode 1.

Take the full That '70s Show quiz (20 questions)

Sources and corrections

Reference pages used for this guide, including character, cast, and episode details.

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