Danny Masterson is an American actor known for his roles in That ’70s Show and other productions.
He was born on March 13, 1976, in Long Island, New York.
Masterson faced legal issues related to sexual assault allegations, leading to his conviction on two counts of rape in 2023.
He was sentenced to 30 years in prison and officially admitted to North Kern State Prison.
Masterson case involved accusations from multiple women, with some incidents dating back to the early 2000s.
Despite maintaining his innocence, he was found guilty and is currently serving his sentence.
Additionally, Masterson is associated with the Church of Scientology and was married to Bijou Phillips, with whom he has a daughter.
His legal troubles have significantly impacted his personal and professional life.
Net worth | $8 million |
Date of birth | March 13, 1976 |
Profession | Actor |
Nationality | American |
Background
Masterson was raised by his parents, Peter and Carol Masterson, who were actively involved in supporting his career from an early age.
Peter is an insurance agent, while Carol is a talent agent who has also dabbled in producing.
Masterson has a close relationship with his mother, as evidenced by his Mother’s Day tribute to her in 2020.
He has a sister, Alanna Masterson, and a brother, Christopher Masterson, who is also an actor.
Masterson’s parents are no longer together, and Carol remarried Joe Reaiche, a former professional rugby player from Australia.
He has a cousin, Angus T. Jones, who is also an actor.
Masterson became a father for the first time in 2014 when his wife, Bijou Phillips, gave birth to their daughter, Fianna Frances Masterson.
Net worth
Masterson has an estimated net worth of $8 million, which he accumulated primarily through his acting and DJing careers.
In addition to his acting and DJing income, he has earned money from real estate transactions.
Masterson sold a home in Hollywood Hills for $1.6 million in 2007 and invested in other properties, including apartments.
He also owned a unique Spanish estate in Holly Mont Drive, Los Angeles, which he sold for $1.6 million in 2007.
Career earnings
In 2016, Masterson earned $232,040 from the video release of Urge and $30,810,000 from the sale of the video, Yes Man.
In 2009, he earned $30,810,000 from the sale of the video, Yes Man, and $225,990,000 from the worldwide box office sales of the movie, Yes Man.
In 2007, Masterson earned $179,380 from the worldwide box office sales of the movie, Smiley Face, and sold a unique Spanish estate in Holly Mont Drive, Los Angeles, California for $1.6 million.
In 2000, he earned $47,050,000 from the worldwide box office sales of the movie Dracula 2000 and $40,280,000 from the worldwide box office sales of the movie, The Faculty.
In 1998, Masterson earned $252,710,000 from the worldwide box office sales of the movies Face/Off, Trojan War and Star Kid.
In 1995, he earned $12,100,000 from the worldwide box office sales of the movie, Bye Bye Love.
In 1993, Masterson earned $118,240,000 from the worldwide box office sales of the movie, Beethoven’s 2nd.
Real estate
Masterson has been involved in selling multiple real estate properties.
One of his notable properties is his historic Hollywood Hills home, which he listed for just under $7 million.
This Spanish-style estate, built in 1923, features five bedrooms, four baths, a recording studio, an ozone pool, and a sports court.
Masterson purchased this property for around $3 million in 2007.
Additionally, he faced a criminal trial on allegations of multiple rapes and used his properties as collateral for a bond while awaiting trial.
Another property of Masterson’s was a Beachwood Canyon home, which he sold for $1.59 million in 2007.
This house was known for its unique features like interior surveillance cameras in every room and high-tech amenities.
DJing career
Masterson has been DJing since 1997 under the name DJ Mom Jeans.
He started DJing at house parties in Los Angeles and has since performed at various events, including music festivals like Lollapalooza.
Masterson’s DJing career began as a way to make ladies dance at house parties, playing a wide range of songs, from classics to modern hits, regardless of their perceived cheesiness.
His musical influences are diverse, with his mother’s playlist playing a significant role in shaping his tastes.
Masterson grew up listening to various genres, including Jackson Browne, Dan Fogelberg, The Moody Blues, Motown, Stax, Chess Records and The Boss.
His own musical preferences evolved from the hair metal and hip-hop of the 80s to grunge, garage rock, indie rock, and indie electro in the 90s.
Masterson’s DJing style is eclectic, with playlists that include indie dance rock, old-school hip-hop, 80’s music, and a mix of various genres within his sets.
He has also been playing guitar for about a decade, starting at the age of 30, after realizing he wanted to be able to play any song he wanted without needing to read music or practice scales.
Acting career
Masterson is best known for his roles in popular television series such as Steven Hyde in That ’70s Show, Milo Foster in Men at Work and Jameson “Rooster” Bennett in The Ranch.
His acting career began in his early years, with him working as a child model at the age of four and appearing in over 100 commercials.
Masterson also starred in musicals and began acting, with his singing voice disappearing by his teenage years.
His early acting roles included appearances in Beethoven’s 2nd and the television series Cybill.
Masterson’s breakthrough role came with That ’70s Show, where he played the character of Steven Hyde.
His performance in the show was well-received, and it helped launch his career, allowing him to pursue other acting opportunities.
After the show ended, Masterson appeared in various movies and television shows, including Punk’d, MADtv and Yes Man.
Movies and TV shows
Masterson has been involved in various movies and TV shows throughout his career. Some of his notable works include Urge, California Solo, Alter Egos, The Chicago 8 ), Yes Man, The Bridge to Nowhere, The Dead Zone and Dracula 2000.
In terms of TV shows, he has appeared in That ’70s Show, Men at Work, The Ranch, Supah Ninjas, Haven and Royal Pains.
Legal issues
Masterson has faced significant legal issues related to allegations of sexual assault.
In May 2023, he was convicted of raping two women in 2003, with a third count resulting in a hung jury.
The victims accused Masterson of sexually assaulting them at his Hollywood Hills home after plying them with alcohol in the early 2000s.
The Church of Scientology, of which Masterson and his victims were members at the time of the assaults, was accused of suppressing the victims from reporting the assaults to the LAPD, resulting in a 20-year delay in bringing the crimes to justice.
During his sentencing in September 2023, Los Angeles judge Charlaine F. Olmedo sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in prison for the two counts of rape he was convicted of.
Masterson’s accusers recounted the impact of the assaults on their lives during the sentencing hearing, with one victim expressing that Masterson had not shown any remorse for the pain he caused.
The legal proceedings also involved a retrial where Masterson was found guilty on two counts of rape by force or fear, with prosecutors arguing that he had drugged his accusers before assaulting them.
Furthermore, Masterson’s legal troubles led to professional consequences, including being dropped by his agency and fired from The Ranch by Netflix after additional rape allegations surfaced in 2017.
The allegations and subsequent trial also impacted his involvement in the sequel series That ’90s Show, where his character was not mentioned.
Church of Scientology involvement
Masterson has been involved in the Church of Scientology since his childhood.
He has been open about how the church has impacted his life, stating in a 2015 interview with Paper magazine that he grew up in the church and that it was a “huge part” of his life.
In recent years, Masterson has faced allegations of sexual assault from multiple women, all of whom were also members of the Church of Scientology at the time of the incidents.
The church was not directly involved in the trial, but the allegations have raised questions about the church’s role in the case.
In 2023, a lawsuit was filed accusing the Church of Scientology of “harassment and intimidation” directed at a prosecutor assigned to the Masterson case.
The lawsuit alleges that the prosecutor’s home and car windows were broken, home electronics were tampered with and the prosecutor was surveilled.
The church has denied any involvement in the incidents.
In addition to these allegations, there have been other reports of harassment and intimidation directed at those involved in the Masterson case.
In a speech last fall, L.A. County Deputy Dist. Atty.
Reinhold Mueller alleged that he had been run off the road, his home had been vandalized, and his cellular and internet service had been knocked out.
He also claimed that LAPD detectives on the case had been stalked and had their photographs taken while they were off-duty.
Mueller did not directly blame Scientology in his speech, but two law enforcement sources told The Times that he accused the church of being behind the incidents.
The Church of Scientology has denied any involvement in the incidents and has vigorously defended itself against the allegations.
However, the accusations have raised questions about the church’s influence and involvement in the criminal justice system, particularly in cases involving its members.
Personal life
Masterson has been married to Bijou Phillips since 2011.
Bijou is an actress and model, and the daughter of the late musician John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas.
The couple met in 2005 and married in 2011 in a private castle in the Irish countryside.
They have one child together, a daughter named Fianna Francis, who was born on Valentine’s Day in 2014.
Bijou has been a constant presence in the courtroom to support Masterson during his trial for raping three women.
However, Bijou filed for divorce from Masterson on Sept. 18, 2023, citing irreconcilable differences.
She is seeking spousal support, legal fees, and legal and physical custody of their daughter.
Children
Masterson has a daughter named Fianna Francis with his estranged wife, Bijou.
Fianna was born on Valentine’s Day in 2014. Masterson has often shared photos of his daughter on social media, showing his love and affection for her.
He has referred to her as “Muppet” in some posts and has shared moments of her baking, playing, and even helping him with house chores.
Additionally, Masterson has several siblings, including Christopher Masterson, Alanna Masterson, and Jordan Masterson.
Christopher Masterson is known for his role as Francis on the TV show, Malcolm in the Middle.
Alanna Masterson is recognized for her role as Tara Chambler on The Walking Dead and Jordan Masterson has had various television roles, including co-starring on the ABC sitcom, Last Man Standing, from 2012 to 2017.
Additionally, Masterson has a paternal half-brother named Will Masterson, who works in film production.