Ashton Kutcher will play an internet billionaire with a broken heart when he arrives as the new star of television series "Two and a Half Men" next month.

CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler made the announcement on Wednesday during a press event in California about the much-anticipated cast change for TV's biggest sitcom. Kutcher will fill the void left by Charlie Sheen -- who made a stormy exit from the TV series last season due to his erratic behavior-- and for publicly insulting the producers of the show.

Kutcher's character will be named Walden Schmidt, Tassler said, adding, that Schmidt has no family connection to the characters played by returning stars Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones. The two actors play the role of the brother and nephew of Sheen's departed character. Tassler wouldn't confirm nor deny reports that the new season begins with the death of Sheen's character, Charlie Harper.

"Two and a Half Men" will begin its ninth season on Sept. 19 in the U.S., with a two-part kickoff that establishes Kutcher's character.

Tassler voiced her excitement about the show's new star. "Kutcher is an extraordinarily professional, talented, funny, gifted actor who comes with a tremendous amount of commitment and enthusiasm," she said.

Kutcher's first week on the job begins a new chapter for "Two and a Half Men" -- after a chaotic conclusion to Sheen's eight-season run as a fast-living, womanizing bachelor.

Sheen's portrayal drew inspiration from his own life of sex sprees, several marriages and substance abuse, which led to clashes with the show's studio as well as its creator, Chuck Lorre, and CBS. He was fired in March and the season ended early.