Luke Wilson starred as Casey Kelso in multiple seasons of That '70s Show, but the character disappeared abruptly. The actor first joined the Fox sitcom in season 4 as the older brother of series regular, Michael Kelso. The figure then emerged as a love interest to Donna Pinciotti, much to the dismay of the central character, Eric Forman, who Casey referred to as "Foreplay." In total, Casey appeared in six episodes, but his arc was memorable considering the trouble he caused.
Casey was first introduced to the series in the episode titled "Donna Dates a Kelso." Following Eric and Donna's big breakup, Jackie tried to cheer up her friend by setting her up with Michael's brother. Casey, who recently returned to Point Place after serving in the Army, was open to the date. Despite the age difference, Donna and Casey hit it off, but he started to have a worrisome influence on the impressionable teen. After skipping school and getting caught being drunk, Donna's father and Eric's family tried to intervene. While her loved ones tried to force her to end the relationship, Donna found out that Casey didn't have real feelings for her.
Following her split from Casey, Donna was drawn back to Eric who refused her advances. Humiliated by being rejected by both guys, Donna relocated to California to live with her mom, Midge. When she returned to Wisconsin in season 5, Donna was punished for her actions, including being sent to Catholic School. Casey, however, was nowhere to be found, and he didn't make an appearance in the season. Wilson did return for the next two installments in a limited capacity, which filled the gaps regarding his fate.
Casey Kelso Didn't Appear In That '70s Show Season 8
Eric and Donna got back together following the latter's runaway trip to California. In season 6, the pair become engaged, and Donna was ready to build a life with Eric. In "My Wife," Donna leased a trailer for the two of them. While at the trailer park, Casey was seen leaving a nearby trailer through the window, revealing that he never let go of his womanizing ways. Later in that episode, Donna had her bachelorette party at a local strip club. Casey hilariously served as the announcer at the male strip club, but that wasn't his only job in town. The character's final appearance came in season 7's "2120 So. Michigan Ave," which focused on Eric's need to take a summer school gym class in order to graduate high school. Unfortunately for him, Casey was hired as the summer session's gym teacher so he was forced to face his old rival one last time.
Despite being in the area, Casey remained absent during the eighth and final season of That '70s Show. Though his fate was left unknown, it was likely that he job-hopped around town as a way to make a living. Casey never had many aspirations in life, which was why he was so against agreeing to a serious relationship. The character's disappearance was also likely connected to Wilson's busy schedule. The actor starred in a number of featured films during the latter half of the sitcom with major titles like Anchorman, The Family Stone, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, and 3:10 to Yuma. Guest appearances were likely too difficult to schedule, but viewers could assume the character didn't change much heading into the 1980s.