The Untold Truth Of Danny Masterson
This article includes mentions of rape and sexual assault.
That '70s Show alum, Danny Masterson, was charged with "forcibly raping three women in separate incidents" in the early 2000s, according to a June 2020 press release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office. The charges consisted of "three counts of rape by force or fear" — a 23-year-old woman in 2001, a 28-year-old woman in April 2003, and a 23-year-old woman "sometime between October and December" of 2003. All of the crimes occurred at Masterson's Hollywood Hills home.
The news came on the heels of four women filing a lawsuit "against Masterson and the Church of Scientology, alleging they were stalked and intimidated after accusing the actor of sexual assault" in August 2019, according to People. Chrissie Carnell Bixler, who dated the Scientologist, was one of the lawsuit's plaintiffs. The actor called Bixler's claims "ridiculous" in a statement to People via his attorney.
Masterson was also fired from Netflix's The Ranch in 2017 amid sexual assault allegations. The actor told CNN at the time that he was "very disappointed" by the decision. In light of these charges against Masterson, as well as his 2023 sentencing, let's take a closer look at his background and life.
Danny Masterson's vigorous defense of Scientology
In 2015, Danny Masterson gave a wide-ranging interview to Paper magazine about his experiences with Scientology, which he has participated in since he was a child. Speaking about his perceived positives about the institution, he shared, "I grew up in New York and it was just sort of like, everyone hated their parents and was always cheating and lying, and I was able to just be friends with my parents. A lot of people have that in their life, but I noticed that all my friends who were Scientologists, kids I had grown up with, we all sort of had the same thing: easy communication."
When asked about the documentary and expose against Scientology, Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (which coincidentally was released a month after Masterson's pro-Scientology interview), Masterson slammed the criticism. "I heard about that documentary; the documentary where they interviewed eight people who hate Scientology. Should be pretty interesting," he said. "I wonder if Sundance would allow a documentary of, like, eight people who hate Judaism. But you know, my religion's fair game, I guess, 'cause it's new."
The actor also addressed Scientology's opposition to psychiatry and the use of medication to treat mental health issues. "Scientology handles those things, those mental problems that people have. It gets rid of them... That's the solution to depression, not f***in' Prozac and whatever other pill that makes the kid then walk into a goddamn school and kill other kids."
How Danny Masterson met his wife, Bijou Phillips
Danny Masterson met his wife, Bijou Phillips, in 2005 at a "celebrity poker tournament in Las Vegas," per the International Business Times. "Every guy at the table was flirting with me but Danny. He wasn't laughing at my jokes," the fellow Scientologist told Paper magazine (via E! News) about her initial interest in Masterson. "I was like, 'who is this Danny Masterson and what does he think he's doing?'" She also described their relationship as "really cheesy and peaceful." The actor added, "There's no craziness or neediness. It's the way it should be."
Phillips, daughter of The Mamas & the Papas musician John Phillips, tied the knot with Masterson in 2011. They welcomed a daughter, Fianna, in February 2014. "Mom and baby are doing amazing," Masterson said at the time. "You can all refer to me as dj dadpants from now on."
Phillips seemingly deleted her Instagram account in 2020 amid the charges against Masterson, In Touch Weekly noted. While the page is back up as of 2023, it remains inactive. Phillips has yet to release any statements about Masterson's sentencing, although she was present in the courtroom during his trial.
Danny Masterson was found guilty of raping two women
In September 2023, Danny Masterson was officially convicted on two counts of rape, per AP News. The "That '70s Show" actor was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women in the early 2000s. The accusations against Masterson first came out in 2017, after multiple women claimed he sexually assaulted and raped them, per Us Weekly. Although he was tried for raping three victims, the actor was only convicted on two counts.
Prior to his sentencing, the three victims shared statements in court that directly addressed Masterson, per AP News. One of the women shared, "When you raped me, you stole from me. That's what rape is, a theft of the spirit. You are pathetic, disturbed, and completely violent. The world is better off with you in prison." Masterson was said to have remained silent as the women spoke.
After the actor's conviction, lawyers for two of the Jane Does released a statement to Fox News, sharing, "[The victims] have displayed tremendous strength and bravery, by coming forward to law enforcement and participating directly in two grueling criminal trials." They continued, "Despite persistent harassment, obstruction, and intimidation, these courageous women helped hold a ruthless sexual predator accountable today, and they are not stopping there." Masterson and his team did not comment on the conviction at the time of this writing.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit RAINN.org for additional resources.