Danny Masterson Allegations, What Happened to Danny Masterson? Is Danny Masterson Sentenced? What did Danny Masterson do?
by Mathelene
Updated Sep 08, 2023
Danny Masterson Allegations
Danny Masterson, widely recognized for his role in the popular sitcom "That '70s Show," has faced serious legal repercussions for his alleged involvement in sexual assault cases dating back more than two decades. On September 7, 2023, he was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the assault of two women during the height of his career.
The sentencing came after Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo heard impactful statements from the survivors, who vividly described the enduring emotional and psychological trauma inflicted upon them by Masterson's actions. One of the survivors, identified as N. Trout, spoke powerfully about the profound impact of assault, characterizing it as a theft of one's spirit.
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón praised the courage of the survivors and underscored his commitment to ending the culture where influential figures in Hollywood feel entitled to victimize women. Despite Masterson's sentencing, his lawyer, Shawn Holley, expressed disappointment and revealed plans to appeal the decision, citing significant evidentiary and constitutional concerns. Throughout this ordeal, Masterson has consistently maintained his innocence.
Masterson, aged 47, will become eligible for parole after serving 20 years, as per the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. His acting career featured prominent roles, including Steven Hyde in "That '70s Show," and later appearances in shows like "Men at Work" and "The Ranch," from which he was dismissed in 2017 following the emergence of assault allegations.
What made this case particularly noteworthy was the alleged involvement of the Church of Scientology, of which Masterson was a member, in attempting to dissuade his accusers from coming forward. The survivors' claims were met with strong denial from the church.
In May, Masterson was convicted of sexually assaulting two women at his Hollywood Hills residence in the early 2000s. However, the jury failed to reach a verdict on one charge related to a third woman. The retrial ultimately resulted in Masterson's conviction on two counts of assault by force or fear.
This legal saga commenced in 2020 when Masterson was charged with three counts of assault, to which he pleaded not guilty. Two of the survivors also accused the Church of Scientology of discouraging them from reporting the assault, a claim that the church vehemently denied.
Despite the church's denials, court documents revealed the survivor's distressing experiences when attempting to report the assaults within the church. One survivor reported her assault to the church's "ethics officer," who responded insensitively, implying that assault could not occur within a relationship. Another survivor faced concerns about potential ostracization if she reported a fellow Scientologist to the police.
While the church maintained its stance of non-involvement in the case, the survivors' lawyer, Alison Anderson, emphasized her clients' unwavering determination to hold the church accountable for their alleged efforts to silence them.
Who is Danny Masterson?
Daniel Peter Masterson, an American actor born on March 13, 1976, is best known for his roles in popular television series. He portrayed Steven Hyde in "That '70s Show" from 1998 to 2006, played Milo Foster in "Men at Work" from 2012 to 2014, and assumed the character of Jameson "Rooster" Bennett in "The Ranch" from 2016 to 2018.
However, his career took a dramatic turn in May 2023 when Masterson was found guilty of raping two women. Notably, both of these survivors were former members of the Church of Scientology, of which Masterson himself was a member. A third charge related to sexual assault resulted in a hung jury, as they could not reach a verdict.
These convictions marked a significant development in Masterson's life and career, drawing widespread attention due to his previous fame and involvement in a high-profile religion. The legal proceedings shed light on allegations of the Church of Scientology discouraging his accusers from reporting the assault, adding complexity and intrigue to an already notable case.
Full Name
Danny Masterson
Date of Birth
March 13, 1976
Age (in 2023)
47 years old
Place of Birth
Long Island, New York, USA
Family
Parents: Carol and Peter Masterson
Danny Masterson Age
As of 2023, Danny Masterson is 47 years old. He was born in Long Island, New York, to Carol and Peter Masterson and spent his formative years in Albertson, Garden City, and East Williston on Long Island. Notably, Danny has a sibling, Christopher Masterson, who is also an actor and is known for his role as Francis in "Malcolm in the Middle."
Additionally, Danny shares a family connection with other actors, including his maternal half-siblings, Jordan Masterson and Alanna Masterson. Furthermore, he has a paternal half-brother named Will Masterson. This family background highlights a strong presence of acting talent within the Masterson family.
Danny Masterson Career
Danny Masterson's career began at a remarkably young age. He started his journey as a child model at four years old, gracing magazine articles and television commercials from the age of five. His early years also saw him starring in musicals by the age of eight. Alongside his modeling career, he ventured into acting.
However, his singing talent faded during his teenage years. By the age of 16, Masterson had already appeared in over 100 commercials for various brands, including Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, Hardee's, Hostess, Tang, and Clearasil. In the early 1990s, Masterson landed roles in projects like "Beethoven's 2nd" and portrayed Justin in "Cybill."
His big break came when he secured the role of Steven Hyde in the hit series "That '70s Show," where his talent and humor shone. This role propelled his career, enabling him to explore various acting opportunities in movies and television shows, including "Punk'd" and "MADtv." Masterson's diverse career also extended to DJing, where he performed in Los Angeles nightclubs under various aliases like DJ Donkey Punch and DJ Mom Jeans. He delved into the music scene, spinning rock, hip-hop, indie, electro, and funk tunes.
Additionally, he briefly owned a lounge and bar in Park City, Utah, named Downstairs, and participated in celebrity poker events, showcasing his versatile talents beyond acting. However, his career took a significant hit due to the assault and assault allegations against him, resulting in his removal from "The Ranch" and exclusion from the sequel series "That '90s Show."
What Happened to Danny Masterson?
Danny Masterson, known for his roles in "That '70s Show" and "The Ranch," faced a major legal setback in May 2023 when he was convicted of raping two women, both former members of the Church of Scientology, with a third charge resulting in a hung jury.
These convictions led to his sentencing to 30 years to life in prison, marking a significant turning point in his career and personal life. Masterson's association with the Church of Scientology and the allegations surrounding it added complexity to the case, impacting his career and public image.
Is Danny Masterson Sentenced?
Yes, Danny Masterson has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the assault of two women in May 2023. This sentence came after he was found guilty of the charges, with a hung jury on a third charge. Masterson's sentencing marked a significant legal development following a high-profile trial, impacting his career and personal life.
What Did Danny Masterson Do?
Danny Masterson was convicted for the assault of two women in May 2023, with a hung jury on a third charge. These convictions resulted in his sentencing to 30 years to life in prison. The case involved allegations from survivors who were former members of the Church of Scientology, adding complexity and attention to the legal proceedings and negatively impacting his career and public image.
Danny Masterson Allegations - FAQs
In May 2023, Danny Masterson was convicted of assault two women and was subsequently sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on September 7, 2023.
Danny Masterson is an American actor best known for his role as Steven Hyde in the popular TV series "That '70s Show."
Yes, in addition to the two convictions, there was a third charge related to sexual assault that resulted in a hung jury.
Yes, throughout the legal proceedings, Danny Masterson consistently maintained his innocence, and his defense team noted their plans for appeals.
As of 2023, Danny Masterson is 47 years old.