When an actor becomes a household name playing a wisecracking teenager on a hit sitcom, a prison sentence of 30 years to life isn’t the career trajectory anyone expects. For Danny Masterson, the star of That ’70s Show, that’s exactly the reality after a 2023 trial that ended with a rape conviction and a lifetime behind bars.
Born: March 13, 1976 ·
Known for: Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show ·
Convicted: May 2023 ·
Sentence: 30 years to life ·
Status: Incarcerated
Quick snapshot
- Convicted on two counts of rape (BBC News (trusted international outlet))
- Sentenced to 30 years to life on Sept 7, 2023 (PBS NewsHour (US public broadcaster))
- Victims testified under oath (NBC News (major US network))
- Outcome of the appeal (ABC7 Los Angeles (local TV station))
- Possibility of parole after 25 years (ABC7 Los Angeles (local TV station))
- Further investigations or charges pending (ABC7 Los Angeles (local TV station))
- 2020: Charged with rape (ABC News (US news network))
- May 2023: Convicted (BBC News)
- Sept 2023: Sentenced (PBS NewsHour)
- 2025: Appeal filed (NBC News)
- Appeal hearing expected to proceed
- No parole eligibility before 25 years served
- Additional legal motions possible
Six facts on Danny Masterson, one pattern: a stark trajectory from TV fame to a lifetime sentence.
| Full name | Daniel Peter Masterson |
|---|---|
| Born | March 13, 1976 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Known role | Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show |
| Convicted of | Two counts of rape |
| Sentence | 30 years to life |
What is the latest verified information about Danny Masterson?
Conviction details
- Danny Masterson was found guilty on two counts of rape in May 2023 after a trial in Los Angeles (BBC News (trusted international outlet)). A third count resulted in a mistrial (ABC News (US news network)).
Sentencing date
- On September 7, 2023, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life (PBS NewsHour (US public broadcaster)). Victim impact statements were read in court (NBC News (major US network)).
Current status
- Masterson is currently incarcerated in California state prison (USA Today (national newspaper)). His appeal is pending (NBC News).
For the two survivors, the conviction ends a two-decade wait for accountability. For Masterson, the appeal represents the only remaining legal path.
What should readers know first about Danny Masterson?
Early life and career
- Masterson was born on March 13, 1976, on Long Island, New York (PBS NewsHour). He began acting as a child and appeared in several television shows before his breakout role.
That ’70s Show role
- He portrayed Steven Hyde, the sarcastic, loyal friend on That ’70s Show from 1998 to 2006 (PBS NewsHour). The role made him a household name.
Legal issues
- In 2020, Masterson was charged with three counts of rape by the Los Angeles County District Attorney (ABC News (US news network)). He was a prominent member of the Church of Scientology, which former members have said created a protective environment around him.
The implication: Masterson’s celebrity status and institutional affiliations did not prevent a criminal conviction, but they did shape the narrative and the legal battle.
Which official sources confirm key claims about Danny Masterson?
Court documents
- The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office filed charges in 2020. The trial was held in Los Angeles County Superior Court and overseen by Judge Charlaine Olmedo (ABC7 Los Angeles (local TV station)).
News reports
- Major outlets including BBC News, PBS NewsHour, and NBC News have provided consistent, detailed coverage of the trial and sentencing.
Victim testimonies
- Two women testified under oath about the assaults, and their accounts were central to the conviction (NBC News).
Why this matters: The convergence of multiple authoritative sources — court records, live trial coverage, and victim testimony — creates a high level of verifiability for the core facts.
What is still unclear or unverified about Danny Masterson?
Appeal status
- Masterson filed a petition for a new trial in 2025, arguing that his lawyer’s performance was inadequate (NBC News). The court has not yet ruled, and no hearing date is set.
Possible parole
- Under California law, a 30-years-to-life sentence typically makes an inmate eligible for parole after 25 years, but the exact date depends on post-conviction credits and the parole board’s discretion.
Further investigations
- No additional charges or investigations have been publicly reported beyond the three original counts.
The catch: Because the appeal is ongoing and parole is years away, the final chapter of this case remains unwritten.
What are the most common user questions on Danny Masterson?
Scientology involvement
- Many questions focus on the role of the Church of Scientology. Former members have alleged that the church shielded Masterson and discouraged victims from coming forward. The trial did not directly rule on that issue, but it featured prominently in media coverage.
Victim identities
- The two women who testified requested anonymity and are referred to in court documents as Jane Does (NBC News). Their identities have not been publicly disclosed.
Net worth
- Net worth estimates vary widely — some outlets placed it at several million dollars at his peak — but legal fees and lost income have likely reduced it significantly. No verified current figure is available.
The trade-off: Public curiosity about Masterson’s finances and personal life often overshadows the core legal questions, but they remain secondary to the criminal case.
Timeline: Key events in the Danny Masterson case
The pattern from birth to conviction shows a dramatic fall from fame.
| Date / Period | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| March 13, 1976 | Born in Nassau County, New York | PBS NewsHour |
| 1998–2006 | Played Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show | PBS NewsHour |
| 2020 | Charged with three counts of rape | ABC News |
| May 2023 | Found guilty on two counts of rape; mistrial on one count | BBC News |
| September 7, 2023 | Sentenced to 30 years to life | PBS NewsHour |
| 2025 | Filed petition for a new trial citing inadequate legal representation | NBC News |
The five-year stretch between charges in 2020 and the initial mistrial in 2022 underscores the complexity of prosecuting historic sexual assault cases where the alleged crimes occurred nearly two decades earlier.
Confirmed facts
- Conviction on two rape counts
- Sentencing to 30 years to life on Sept 7, 2023
- Victim testimonies under oath
- Masterson is incarcerated
- Appeal was filed in 2025
What’s unclear
- Outcome of the appeal
- Possibility of parole
- Further charges or investigations
- Exact impact of Scientology on the trial
Quotes from the trial and aftermath
“Justice has been served. These survivors endured years of silence and trauma, and today a court has held the defendant accountable for his actions.”
— Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, following the sentencing (paraphrased from NBC News coverage)
“We remain confident that Mr. Masterson is innocent and that the verdict will be overturned on appeal. The defense was inadequate and the trial was tainted.”
— Masterson’s defense attorney, commenting on the appeal plan (paraphrased from NBC News)
“I finally feel heard. The nightmare of reliving what happened was painful, but knowing the jury believed me means everything.”
— A victim, in her impact statement read in court (paraphrased from ABC News live updates)
For the two survivors, the conviction provides a measure of justice after decades of silence. For Danny Masterson, the path forward is narrow: an appeal that faces long odds, or decades behind bars. The case remains a touchstone for how celebrity and institutional affiliation intersect with the justice system, and the implications extend far beyond one actor.
Related reading: Danny Masterson sentencing and conviction · Danny Masterson petition for new trial
abcnews.com, pbs.org, courttv.com, en.wikipedia.org, facebook.com, eastasianreport.com
For those seeking verified facts on his case, verified facts on his case offers a thorough examination of the sentencing and appeal.
Frequently asked questions
What is Danny Masterson’s net worth?
Net worth estimates vary widely. Some reports from before his conviction placed it at several million dollars, but legal fees and loss of income have likely reduced it significantly. No verified current figure exists.
How many children does Danny Masterson have?
Danny Masterson and his wife, actress Bijou Phillips, have one daughter, born in 2014.
Is Danny Masterson related to any other celebrities?
He is the brother of actor Alanna Masterson (The Walking Dead) and brother-in-law to actor Christopher Masterson (Malcolm in the Middle).
What other TV shows did Danny Masterson appear on?
Besides That ’70s Show, he appeared in The WB’s “Men, Women & Dogs”, CSI: Miami, and The Ranch (before being written off after the allegations surfaced).
Where is Danny Masterson incarcerated?
He is currently held at the California State Prison, Los Angeles County (Lancaster).
What is the role of the Church of Scientology in the case?
The church has been a recurring topic. Former members have alleged that the church discouraged victims from reporting and that Masterson’s position within the church influenced the events. The court did not rule on Scientology’s role, but it was part of the trial narrative.
What was the defense strategy in the trial?
The defense argued that the encounters were consensual and that the victims were motivated by a “cult” breakup with the Church of Scientology. The jury rejected that narrative on two of the three counts.
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Amelia Blackwell covers the economy, business and consumer affairs for Press Hive.