From Sitcom Star to Serial Rapist: The Disturbing Tale of Danny Masterson
In the early 2000s, actor Danny Masterson was a recognizable face in the world of television. Once a star on the hit series That 70s Show, Masterson is now looking at life in prison
Actor Danny Masterson rose to fame as a cast member of the popular television program That '70s Show. Masterson portrayed the wise-cracking and sarcastic Stephen Hyde, a role that made him a fan favorite.
But decades later, his name became synonymous with stories of abuse and sexual assault. What really happened behind closed doors, and how did a beloved TV star fall so far?
Early Life
Danny Masterson was born on March 13, 1976, in Long Island, New York, to Carol Masterson, a manager, and Peter Masterson, an insurance agent. He spent his early years in Garden City and East Williston, New York, and at the tender age of four, Danny began modeling.
His cherubic face and natural charisma in front of the camera quickly made him a favorite in the advertising industry.
By age five, he began his acting career, eventually appearing in more than one hundred advertisements for well-known brands like Kellogg’s, Tang, Hostess, and Clearasil. It wasn't just about selling products but also about selling a persona.
His upbeat, relatable energy made him a favorite in households across America throughout the 1980s. These early experiences honed his on-screen presence and instilled in him an understanding of the industry's workings.
Acting Career
By the early 1990s, Danny transitioned from commercials to acting. He landed a small role in the 1993 family comedy Beethoven's 2nd, playing Seth, a charming, mischievous teenager. Though it was a secondary role, it gave him a taste of Hollywood.
The same year, he landed a recurring role on the television series Cybill, playing Justin Thorpe, which further provided him with a platform to display his comedic timing and adaptability, thereby solidifying his place in the acting world.
That 70’s Show
Danny Masterson's career reached new heights when he was cast as Steven Hyde on That '70s Show, which aired from 1998 to 2006. His portrayal of Hyde, the rebellious and sarcastic friend, resonated with audiences and became one of the show's standout characters as it embodies the counterculture spirit of the 1970s.
This role not only solidified his place in Hollywood but also opened doors to various opportunities in the entertainment industry.
After the success of That '70s Show, Masterson continued to expand his acting portfolio. In 2016, he reunited with former co-star Ashton Kutcher on the Netflix series The Ranch, playing the character Jameson "Rooster" Bennett. The show enjoyed a dedicated fan base, and since the series blended comedy and drama, Masterson's portrayal of Rooster was well-received by audiences.
Personal Life
Beyond acting, Masterson pursued a passion for music, establishing himself as a DJ. Starting in 1997, he performed under the moniker DJ Donkey Punch, later changing it to DJ Mom Jeans in 2010. His gigs took him to various venues, where he showcased his eclectic music tastes and entertained crowds with his dynamic sets.
Beyond his entertainment endeavors, Masterson ventured into the hospitality industry. He co-owned a lounge and bar named Downstairs in Park City, Utah. The venue became a popular spot, known for its intimate atmosphere and live music events.
In 2004, Masterson began dating actress and model Bijou Phillips, daughter of musician John Phillips and actress Geneviève Waïte. The couple's relationship blossomed over the years, leading to their engagement in 2009.
On October 18, 2011, the couple tied the knot in a private castle in Ireland, surrounded by close family and friends. Their union was blessed with a daughter, Fianna Francis Masterson, born on February 14, 2014.
Throughout their marriage, Phillips stood by Masterson during various challenges, including the serious legal allegations against him. However, following Masterson's conviction in 2023, Phillips filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
In her divorce filing, she requested legal and physical custody of their daughter, with visitation rights for Masterson. In a statement, her lawyer, Peter A. Lauzon, said, "Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time. Her priority remains with her daughter."
Scientology
A significant aspect of Masterson's life is his involvement with the Church of Scientology, a religious organization founded in 1953 by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, which claims to offer paths to spiritual enlightenment and self-improvement. As someone raised within the church, Masterson has been an active member and vocal advocate.
His faith played a central role in his personal and professional relationships, including his marriage to Bijou Phillips, who also has connections to Scientology.
During his legal proceedings, allegations surfaced that the Church attempted to shield him from repercussions. Prosecutors argued that Masterson used his prominence within Scientology to avoid consequences for years.
Sexual Assault Allegations
In March 2017, Danny Masterson faced serious allegations after three women accused him of sexual assault during the early 2000s. These accusations prompted the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to investigate the claims. The women alleged that Masterson had assaulted them while they were members of the Church of Scientology.
The allegations against Masterson were particularly significant given his prominence in the entertainment industry and his affiliation with the Church of Scientology. The accusers, former members of the Church, alleged that they were pressured to remain silent about the assaults, fearing retaliation and ostracization.
This intersection of celebrity, religion, and alleged misconduct drew substantial media attention and public scrutiny.
As the investigation progressed, a fourth woman came forward in December 2017 with similar accusations against Masterson. These additional allegations further intensified public scrutiny and increased pressure on law enforcement to take decisive action.
The mounting allegations had professional repercussions for Masterson. In December 2017, Netflix announced that Masterson had been written out of the comedy series The Ranch, stating that production would resume without him.
Around the same period, Masterson's long-term talent agency, United Talent Agency (UTA), ended their professional relationship with him. UTA had represented Masterson for two decades, but they chose to sever ties amid the mounting allegations.
The agency's decision was made quietly, without a public announcement, reflecting the serious nature of the accusations and the industry's shifting stance on such matters. Masterson expressed disappointment with these decisions but maintained his innocence, denying all allegations against him.
His legal representatives asserted that any encounters were consensual and criticized the media coverage as a "public relations campaign" against him. Despite these denials, the mounting accusations and subsequent legal actions marked a turning point in Masterson's career and personal life, leading to ongoing legal battles and a tarnished public image.
Civil Proceedings
In August 2019, four women filed a civil lawsuit against Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology, alleging harassment, stalking, and intimidation after they had filed sexual assault allegations against Masterson.
The plaintiffs claimed that the Church orchestrated efforts to silence them, including surveillance, threats, and other forms of harassment, to prevent them from speaking out.
According to the plaintiffs, Scientology discourages its members from reporting fellow members to law enforcement under any circumstances. After reporting the alleged assaults to the police, the plaintiffs claimed they were labeled "suppressive persons," a term used within Scientology to designate individuals who are deemed threats to the Church. This designation resulted in their expulsion from the organization.
One plaintiff alleged that her dog suffered fatal injuries to its trachea and esophagus under unexplained circumstances. She also claimed she was chased by Church members while driving, filmed without her consent, harassed online, and targeted by fake social media ads soliciting sexual services in her name.
Another plaintiff reported that a man was seen taking photos from her driveway, and later that same night, someone broke a window in her 13-year-old daughter’s bedroom.
Masterson responded publicly to one of the plaintiffs, his ex-girlfriend, stating that he was going to beat her in court because he believed he was being railroaded by her and the other women for the sexual assault claims they made. However, Masterson did not directly address the stalking or harassment allegations in the statement.
By May 21, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo deemed the evidence presented credible enough to advance the case to trial. Judge Olmedo did not mince words, ruling that Scientology's doctrines actively discouraged and even outright prohibited members from reporting crimes to the police.
She ordered Masterson to surrender his passport and scheduled his arraignment for June 7, 2021.
At the arraignment, Masterson once again pleaded not guilty. His defense team alleged collusion among the three women, claiming they had coordinated their stories and pointed to an alleged financial settlement between Masterson and one of the accusers in 2004.
Despite these arguments, Masterson remained out on a $3.3 million bail, with a pretrial hearing set for August 9, 2021. The trial was then officially set for August 29, 2022, in Judge Olmedo's courtroom but was later postponed until October 11, 2022.
Trial and Sentencing
During his trial, Masterson declined to testify, nor did his legal team call any witnesses in his defense. Both sides rested their cases by November 14, with closing arguments delivered the next day.
The jury began deliberating but quickly reached an impasse after three days. Instead of immediately declaring a mistrial, the judge ordered the jury to resume deliberations after Thanksgiving. However, the deadlock persisted, leading to a mistrial on November 30, 2022.
Undeterred by the mistrial, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office promptly announced plans to retry the case. The retrial began in April 2023, with both sides presenting new evidence and witness testimonies.
The prosecution aimed to strengthen their case by addressing the shortcomings of the first trial, while the defense continued to assert Masterson's innocence. After several weeks of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict on May 31, 2023, finding Masterson guilty of two counts of forcible rape.
However, they remained deadlocked on a third charge, resulting in no verdict for that particular count.
Following the guilty verdicts, the sentencing phase took place in June 2023. The court heard impact statements from the survivors, who recounted the profound effects of the assaults on their lives. Taking into account the severity of the crimes and the lasting trauma inflicted upon the victims, the judge sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in prison.
This sentence reflected the court's commitment to holding perpetrators of sexual violence accountable, regardless of their celebrity status. By July 2023, the District Attorney's Office announced that they would not pursue a retrial for the third charge, citing the sufficient length of the sentence and the desire to avoid further emotional distress for the survivors.
Then, on September 7, 2023, the court reaffirmed Masterson’s sentence of 30 years to life. His legal team announced plans to appeal the convictions, citing concerns over the admissibility of evidence and potential constitutional violations during the trial.
Fallout and Aftermath
The allegations and subsequent conviction elicited mixed reactions from Masterson's peers and family. Notably, former co-stars Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, who worked with Masterson on That '70s Show, faced significant backlash after it was revealed that they had written character letters supporting Masterson during his sentencing phase.
In these letters, they described Masterson as a positive influence and a person of integrity.
However, the public perceived these letters as dismissive of the victims' experiences, leading to widespread criticism. In response, Kutcher and Kunis issued a public apology, stating that their intent was not to undermine the victims' testimonies but to provide insight into their personal experiences with Masterson.
Also, the entertainment industry took decisive steps to distance itself from the actor. Notably, he was excluded from participating in That '90s Show, the sequel to the popular That '70s Show, where he initially portrayed Steven Hyde.
The show’s creators chose not to reference his character, effectively erasing his presence from the show's universe. This decision was a result of the serious allegations and subsequent conviction, reflecting the industry's broader commitment to addressing such issues.
Danny Masterson is currently serving his 30-year to life prison sentence. He is incarcerated at the California Men's Colony, a state prison in San Luis Obispo.
Sources:
“Danny Masterson.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Dec. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Masterson.
Savya, ere. “Danny Masterson.” FactMandu, Fact Mandu, 12 Sept. 2023, factmandu.com/danny-masterson.
Angela, Yang. “Danny Masterson Sentenced to 30 Years to Life in Prison.” NBCNews.Com, NBCUniversal News Group, 7 Sept. 2023, www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/danny-masterson-sentenced-30-years-life-prison-rcna102463.