Known for decades as a staple of prime-time television and ensemble comedy, Danny Masterson once held a secure position in Hollywood. Best remembered for portraying the sarcastic, conspiracy-minded Steven Hyde on Fox’s smash hit That ’70s Show, Masterson built a successful career across television, film, and music. However, his legacy has been permanently redefined by high-profile legal battles, severe criminal charges, and a conviction that resulted in a decades-long prison sentence.
Published exclusively for Tushstories.com, here is an up-to-date look into the biography, career evolution, filmography, net worth, family background, past marriage, public controversies, and modern legal standing of Danny Masterson.
Biography
Born Daniel Peter Masterson on March 13, 1976, in Albertson, New York, he grew up in a family deeply embedded in the entertainment industry. His mother, Carol Masterson, worked as a talent manager, and his father, Peter Masterson, was an insurance agent. Growing up in Garden City and East Williston, Long Island, Masterson began working as a child model at age four, appearing in dozens of commercial campaigns.
By the time he was a teenager, Masterson was acting in musical theater and booking guest roles on network television series such as Roseanne and NYPD Blue. His family relocated to Los Angeles during the 1990s to support the acting careers of Danny and his siblings. Raised within the Church of Scientology alongside his family members, his ties to the organization would later become a focal point of intense legal and public scrutiny.
Danny Masterson’s Age
Born in March 1976, Danny Masterson is 50 years old. Currently incarcerated within the California state prison system, he is serving a 30-years-to-life sentence.
Career
The trajectory of Danny Masterson’s career highlights a rise as a television star, followed by a sudden exit from the industry:
- Child Acting & Television Breakout (1988–1997): Masterson transitioned from commercial modeling to television drama, securing a recurring role as Justin van Buren in Cybill. He also appeared in features such as Beethoven’s 2nd (1993) and John Woo’s action film Face/Off (1997).
- Peak Success with That ’70s Show (1998–2006): In 1998, Masterson was cast as Steven Hyde in Fox’s period sitcom That ’70s Show. The series became a global phenomenon, running for eight seasons and establishing Masterson as a main figure alongside co-stars Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Topher Grace. During this period, he also worked as a DJ under the moniker “DJ Mom Jeans” and co-owned several Los Angeles restaurants.
- Post-Sitcom Work & The Ranch (2007–2017): Masterson continued taking roles in indie films and television shows, including Men at Work. In 2016, he reunited with Ashton Kutcher for the Netflix comedy series The Ranch. However, in December 2017, Netflix wrote him off the show following sexual assault allegations and ongoing LAPD investigations.
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Danny Masterson Movies
Spanning ensemble comedies, indie dramas, action features, and long-running television hits, key highlights of Danny Masterson’s movies and television projects include:
| Title / Project | Release Year | Character / Role | Key Distinction / Notes |
| Beethoven’s 2nd | 1993 | Seth | Early feature film appearance |
| Cybill (TV Series) | 1996–1998 | Justin van Buren | Recurring main television role |
| Face/Off | 1997 | Karl | Action feature co-starring John Travolta & Nicolas Cage |
| That ’70s Show (TV Series) | 1998–2006 | Steven Hyde | Main role; Global breakout sitcom hit |
| Dracula 2000 | 2000 | Nightshade | Horror feature film |
| Yes Man | 2008 | Rooney | Studio comedy co-starring Jim Carrey |
| Men at Work (TV Series) | 2012–2014 | Milo Foster | Lead role in TBS comedy series |
| The Ranch (TV Series) | 2016–2018 | Jameson “Rooster” Bennett | Co-lead on Netflix series before removal |
| Urge | 2016 | Neal | Thriller feature co-starring Pierce Brosnan |
Danny Masterson Net Worth
Once supported by sitcom syndication royalties, streaming salaries, business investments, and real estate, the estimated Danny Masterson net worth sits at approximately $4 million. His fortune has significantly depleted over recent years due to massive legal fees, civil suits, and the complete loss of entertainment industry contracts.
Family
The Danny Masterson family consists of several well-known actors in Hollywood:
- Parents: Son of Carol Masterson (a talent manager) and Peter Masterson.
- Siblings:
- Christopher Masterson (brother), best known for playing Francis in Malcolm in the Middle.
- Jordan Masterson (half-brother), known for his role in Last Man Standing.
- Alanna Masterson (half-sister), best known for playing Tara Chambler in The Walking Dead.
- Will Masterson (half-brother).
- Children: He has one daughter, Fianna Francis Masterson (born 2014), with his ex-wife Bijou Phillips.
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Personal Life & Key Relationships
Danny Masterson and Bijou Phillips
The long-term partnership between Danny Masterson and Bijou Phillips was a prominent Hollywood relationship for nearly two decades. Phillips, an actress, model, and daughter of musician John Phillips, began dating Masterson in 2004. The couple married in a private ceremony at an Irish castle in October 2011 and welcomed their daughter in 2014.
Phillips stood by Masterson throughout his initial legal proceedings and criminal trials. However, in September 2023, shortly after Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, Phillips officially filed for divorce after 12 years of marriage, requesting full legal custody of their daughter. The exes became legally single in October 2024 as Phillips sought to move forward independently.
Controversies
The history of Danny Masterson controversies centers on criminal investigations, high-profile trials, and convictions:
- Criminal Charges & Trials: In June 2020, Masterson was charged with forcibly raping three women in separate incidents between 2001 and 2003 at his Hollywood Hills home. His initial trial in late 2022 resulted in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury. During the May 2023 retrial, prosecutors argued that Masterson used his status and drugged drinks to assault the victims.
- Conviction & Sentencing: On May 31, 2023, the jury found Masterson guilty on two counts of forcible rape. On September 7, 2023, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in state prison.
- Scientology Involvement: The trial drew significant coverage regarding the Church of Scientology. Prosecutors and victims alleged that the organization actively attempted to silence the women and prevent them from reporting the assaults to law enforcement, claims that led to ongoing civil litigation.
Now
Regarding Danny Masterson now, he is serving out his 30-years-to-life sentence in the California state prison system. After spending time at the maximum-security Corcoran State Prison, he was transferred to the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. His legal team continues to file appeals and petitions seeking to challenge the trial’s procedural rulings and conviction, though he remains incarcerated with his first parole eligibility decades away.
Conclusion
Danny Masterson’s biography reflects a stark fall from prime-time stardom to maximum-security incarceration. Once recognized for his television roles, his life story is now permanently defined by his criminal conviction and its legal aftermath.
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