Mila Kunis Photo Flashback: See Her in 1996

By Alison Schwartz

08/14/2011 at 02:15 PM EDT

Long before she hooked up with Justin Timberlake in Friends with Benefits – and Natalie Portman as a bombshell ballerina in Black Swan – Mila Kunis was an unhappy child star.

In 1996, she sported pigtails and her signature sassy grin as a boy-crazy kiddo in an appearance on The WB's Unhappily Ever After, one of her very first acting gigs.

Her accessory of choice? A teddy bear.

PHOTOS: Dresses with Benefits: Mila Kunis's Sexy Sheaths

One thing that hasn't changed: The Ukrainian stunner, who turns 28 on Sunday, was earning approval for her good looks even as a pre-teen.

"Hi baby, you're cooler than the Olsen twins put together," her equally junior costar says in the episode.

And as a possible portent of her future offbeat roles to come, she coos back "Sure" when he asks her if she wants to play with his pet snake.