Danny Masterson: Celebrity Convict #6.
Crimes: Three felony counts of rape
Who is Danny Masterson?
Danny Masterson began his career in entertainment at the young age of four, initially modelling before transitioning into acting. By his early twenties, Masterson had already established himself as a veteran, with regular roles in four TV series, numerous guest appearances, and a significant film career. In 1993, he starred in the short-lived sitcom Joe's Life (ABC), playing Leo Gennero, a role that marked his television debut. He followed this with appearances in Beethoven's 2nd (1993) and Extreme (1995), where he portrayed a snowboarding thrill-seeker.
His career continued to progress with roles in TV movies and miniseries, including Her Last Chance and Seduced by Madness: The Diane Borchardt Story (both 1995). In 1997, Masterson joined the CBS series Cybill, playing Justin Thorpe. However, it was in 1998 when Masterson’s career reached new heights with his iconic role as Steven Hyde on That '70s Show (Fox), which ran until 2006 and cemented his status as a breakout star.
Masterson remained active in television after That '70s Show, starring in Men at Work (2012-14) and The Ranch (2016), where he reunited with his co-star Ashton Kutcher. However, his career took a major downturn in December 2017 when Netflix fired him from The Ranch following multiple sexual assault allegations from four women, dating back to the early 2000s.
Sexual Assault Case Timeline
The legal journey of actor Danny Masterson, best known for his role in That '70s Show, has been a prolonged and highly publicised saga. In 2020, Masterson was charged with forcibly raping three women in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003. Over the course of several years, the case evolved from initial accusations to a lengthy trial, culminating in a verdict in 2023. Here’s a detailed timeline of the key events in Masterson’s case:
2017: Allegations Surface
In March 2017, allegations against Danny Masterson were first reported, with three women accusing him of sexual assault during the early 2000s. Journalist Tony Ortega revealed on his blog, The Underground Bunker, that Masterson was under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Division confirmed that the investigation was underway, focusing on incidents that allegedly took place at Masterson’s home.
Later in the year, in November 2017, a fourth woman came forward to accuse the actor of rape. However, despite the claims and evidence, charges were not immediately filed.
2017: Public Accusations and Career Fallout
In November 2017, Chrissie Carnell Bixler, one of Masterson’s accusers, publicly spoke out. She criticised Netflix for continuing to work with Masterson on The Ranch and vowed to fight for justice, stating that she could "no longer be silent." This sparked growing public pressure, and by December 5, Netflix announced that Masterson had been written off The Ranch. The actor responded with a statement expressing his disappointment, continuing to deny the allegations.
At the same time, actress Bobette Riales also came forward, alleging that Masterson had raped her in the early 2000s. She joined Bixler in their pursuit of justice, adding further fuel to the fire surrounding the actor’s career.
2018: Career Repercussions Continue
The fallout from the allegations continued into 2018. On January 4, United Talent Agency (UTA), which had represented Masterson for 20 years, confirmed that it had severed ties with the actor. This marked a significant blow to Masterson’s career in Hollywood.
2019: Lawsuit Filed Against Masterson and the Church of Scientology
In August 2019, four women, including Bixler and Riales, filed a lawsuit against both Masterson and the Church of Scientology. They claimed they had been stalked and harassed after making sexual assault allegations against the actor. The lawsuit detailed accusations of physical and emotional intimidation designed to silence the women. Masterson responded by stating that he would fight the allegations in court, maintaining his innocence.
2020: Criminal Charges and Arrest
The case took a significant step forward in June 2020, when the Los Angeles County District Attorney charged Masterson with three counts of rape by force or fear. The charges related to three women, with two alleged incidents occurring in 2001 and the third in 2003. The women claimed that all the assaults took place at Masterson’s home. Masterson was arrested but released later that day after posting bail.
Following the charges, Masterson’s lawyer, Tom Mesereau, issued a statement asserting his client’s innocence and expressing confidence that Masterson would be exonerated when all the evidence was presented in court.
2020: Legal Proceedings Begin
In October 2020, a Los Angeles judge ruled that the case would move forward, rejecting the defence’s argument that the charges should be dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Masterson’s lawyer also pushed to have media outlets excluded from the courtroom, citing concerns about the potential prejudice to the jury pool.
Masterson did not attend the hearing and remained free on bail, with his arraignment scheduled for November. However, in November 2020, the arraignment was delayed until January 2021.
2021: Trial Preparation and Court Hearings
On January 20, 2021, Masterson pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his legal team continued to fight the case. In May of 2021, the trial began in earnest, with three of Masterson’s accusers testifying in court. Each woman shared emotional and harrowing accounts of their alleged assaults.
The first accuser detailed being drugged and raped by Masterson after going to his house to pick up a pair of keys. The second accuser, who had been in a relationship with Masterson at the time, recounted a brutal assault in 2001. The third accuser shared a similar story, alleging that Masterson raped her in 2003. The women also spoke of intimidation and harassment from both Masterson and the Church of Scientology.
The testimonies were deeply moving, and the case continued throughout May 2021. On May 21, 2021, after hearing the testimonies, a judge ruled that Masterson would stand trial for the three counts of rape.
2023: Verdict Reached
After years of legal battles and delays, the trial finally reached a conclusion in May 2023. A verdict was reached, and Masterson was found guilty of the charges related to the sexual assaults. This decision marked the end of a long and tumultuous journey for Masterson, his accusers, and those involved in the case.
Masterson, who had enjoyed a successful career in television before the allegations, now faces significant legal and personal consequences. The case also brought renewed attention to the role of the Church of Scientology in handling accusations against its members.
Actor Danny Masterson
Sentencing and Prison Life
On September 7, 2023, Danny Masterson was sentenced to an indefinite prison term of 30 years to life for the sexual assault of three women. He may be eligible for parole after serving 25½ years, though he could remain incarcerated for life. His legal team has announced plans to appeal the conviction. Following the sentencing, Masterson was admitted to North Kern State Prison on December 27, 2023, after several months of post-sentencing hearings. He was later transferred to California Men's Colony, where he currently resides.
In January 2024, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge denied Danny Masterson bail while he awaits the outcome of his appeal. Judge Charlaine Olmedo expressed concerns that Masterson might flee, citing the ongoing divorce proceedings with his wife, Bijou Phillips. "If defendant's conviction and sentence are upheld on appeal, he will likely remain in custody for decades and perhaps the rest of his life," the judge wrote. She further explained, "In light of the fact that defendant has no wife to go home to, defendant now has every incentive to flee and little reason to return to state prison to serve out the remainder of his lengthy sentence should his appeal be unsuccessful." Masterson, sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, is appealing his conviction for the sexual assault of three women.
Civil suit for harassment
In a civil suit filed against Danny Masterson and the Church of Scientology, four plaintiffs accused the Church of conducting an aggressive harassment campaign after they reported sexual assaults to the police. Each plaintiff was a Scientologist at the time, and after making their reports, they were declared "suppressive persons" and expelled from the Church. They alleged that the Church mobilised a "Fair Game" campaign against them, which included stalking, privacy invasions, and emotional distress. One plaintiff claimed her dog died from unexplained injuries, while another reported a break-in at her daughter’s bedroom.
Masterson responded to the lawsuit, stating, "I'm not going to fight my ex-girlfriend in the media like she's been baiting me to do for more than two years. I will beat her in court." However, he did not address the stalking or harassment claims.
On January 22, 2020, Bixler-Zavala, a key plaintiff, alleged that her family’s pet was poisoned by Scientologists in retaliation for her statements. The civil case was delayed until the criminal case concluded.
Interference by Church of Scientology
After the conclusion of Danny Masterson's criminal trial, the victims' civil case against Masterson and the Church of Scientology resumed, bringing to light numerous instances of interference from the Church. During the criminal proceedings, there were several allegations of harassment and intimidation aimed at both the prosecution and law enforcement.
Prosecutors and LAPD detectives involved in the case faced extreme tactics from the Church. One prosecutor’s house was targeted in a break-in, and attempts were made to run him off the road. His car windows were smashed, electronics were tampered with, and he was subjected to surveillance. When seeking co-counsel, the prosecutor warned of possible retaliation, including stalking and harassment, leading two attorneys to refuse representation before another co-counsel was found.
LAPD detectives on the case also reported being stalked and harassed. The head of security for the Church of Scientology, along with their attorney Vicki Podberesky, even met with the LAPD chief of police in an attempt to accuse the detectives and prosecutors of misconduct. They alleged that evidence had been falsified and witness testimony coached, claims that Prosecutor Reinhold Mueller believed impacted the case, as one detective was too intimidated to testify.
The victims themselves reported similar harassment. One victim spoke of security systems being tampered with, their car being vandalised, and being driven off the road, while another victim was followed throughout the trial.
On June 7, 2023, Judge Charlaine Olmedo sanctioned Masterson’s former defence attorneys, Tom Mesereau and Sharon Appelbaum, for leaking confidential discovery material to Vicki Podberesky. The leaked documents, which contained personal information of the victims, led to Podberesky filing complaints against the prosecutors and calling for criminal inquiries into the detectives. This breach of legal protocol violated direct court orders not to share criminal case information with those involved in the civil case.
Personal life
Danny Masterson, a Scientologist, began dating actress Bijou Phillips in 2004. The couple became engaged in 2009 and married on October 18, 2011. They have one daughter, born in February 2014.
However, their relationship came to an end when Phillips filed for divorce on September 18, 2023. In her filing, she cited irreconcilable differences and requested full legal and physical custody of their daughter. Additionally, she sought spousal support. The divorce came amidst ongoing legal troubles for Masterson, who had recently been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for multiple sexual assault convictions. The couple's separation marks a significant turn in Masterson’s personal life, which had previously been under public scrutiny due to the high-profile nature of his criminal case.
