All About Danny Masterson’s Rise, Rape Conviction, and Ongoing Appeal

Danny Masterson rose to fame in the late ’90s and early 2000s as Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show, a sitcom that made him a household name. But decades later, the actor’s career took a dramatic fall when multiple women accused him of rape and in 2023, he was convicted of assaulting two of them. Now serving a 30-year sentence, Masterson is fighting to overturn the verdict in an appeal that his legal team says will expose “fundamental flaws” in the trial process.

From Hollywood stardom to legal scandal, here’s everything to know about Danny Masterson’s life, conviction, and where his case stands today.

How Danny Masterson Became a Star

Born on March 13, 1976, in Long Island, New York, Daniel Peter Masterson started out as a child model and actor. By his teenage years, he had landed roles in Beethoven’s 2nd and Cybill, but it was his breakout part as Hyde on That ’70s Show in 1998 that brought him mainstream attention.

Masterson remained on the series until it ended in 2006, and continued working in TV and film. He later reunited with That ’70s Show co-star Ashton Kutcher for Netflix’s The Ranch, which premiered in 2016.

In 2017, Netflix fired Masterson from The Ranch after allegations of sexual assault against him surfaced publicly. By then, the Los Angeles Police Department had already opened an investigation.

The Rape Allegations and Criminal Charges

In June 2020, Masterson was formally charged with three counts of rape involving three different women. The alleged assaults took place between 2001 and 2003 at his home in the Hollywood Hills. All three women were members of the Church of Scientology, an organization to which Masterson also belonged at the time.

According to prosecutors, Masterson used alcohol to drug the women before raping them. One woman testified that she was smothered with a pillow and lost consciousness. Another said he pulled a gun on her when someone knocked on the door. The third accuser’s case resulted in a hung jury during the initial trial.

“He surreptitiously drugged the victims… and then forcibly raped them as they became incapacitated,” Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller said during closing arguments in 2023.

After a 2022 mistrial, Masterson was retried in 2023. He was convicted in May of that year on two of the three counts and sentenced in September to 30 years to life in prison.

Inside the Trial

The trial put a spotlight on not just Masterson’s conduct but also on the Church of Scientology, with all three accusers testifying that they were discouraged or even harassed by the church for speaking out.

One woman broke down in tears while describing her assault on the witness stand, saying she feared for her life. Another testified that she was stalked after going to the police. All three accusers also filed a civil lawsuit against Masterson and the church in 2019.

Scientology officials denied the accusations and issued a public statement saying their policies instruct members to obey the law and report crimes.

What Masterson’s Defence Argued

Throughout both trials, Masterson’s legal team argued that the actor had consensual sex with the women and was being falsely accused. They pointed to inconsistencies in the women’s testimony, saying their stories had changed over time and were influenced by the potential for a future civil payout if a conviction was secured.

In court, the defence claimed there was no physical evidence tying Masterson to the assaults and argued that he never admitted guilt. They also emphasized that no toxicology tests were performed at the time of the alleged rapes.

The Appeal: What Masterson’s Team Is Saying Now

On December 18, 2024, Masterson’s attorneys filed a formal appeal seeking to overturn his conviction. The filing alleges that the trial was unfair, citing two major concerns: that the court made rulings that improperly restricted the defence and that key evidence — which could have helped Masterson — was either excluded or lost.

“Danny Masterson received neither [a perfect nor fair trial]. Reversal is required,” his attorney Cliff Gardner wrote in the appeal.

Among the claims:

• A tape-recorded 2004 police interview with one of the accusers was lost by authorities before the trial.

• Some defence witnesses died during the years-long delay.

• Masterson’s team was prevented from introducing evidence that could show the accusers had financial motives.

The appeal also claims the accusers violated police instructions by discussing the case among themselves for years before trial, and that their communications weren’t thoroughly scrutinised in court.

In addition to the appeal, Masterson’s attorneys plan to file a petition for writ of habeas corpus, which would allow them to introduce new arguments about flaws in the case.

Where Danny Masterson Is Now

As of June 2025, Danny Masterson is incarcerated at California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo County. The appeal process is still underway, and no decision has been made yet on whether a new trial will be granted or if the conviction will be overturned.

One of the women who testified against him expressed relief after the 2023 verdict:

“I am experiencing a complex array of emotions – relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness – knowing that my abuser… will face accountability for his criminal behavior.”

FAQs

What was Danny Masterson convicted of? He was sentenced in May 2023 on two counts of rape involving two women at his home in 2003.

How long is Danny Masterson’s prison sentence? He is serving a 30-year-to-life sentence, handed down in September 2023.

Where is he being held? Masterson is incarcerated at California Men’s Colony, a medium-security prison in San Luis Obispo County.

Is Danny Masterson appealing his conviction? Yes. In December 2024, Masterson’s attorneys filed a formal appeal, arguing the trial process was flawed and key evidence was missing or mishandled.

What role did Scientology play in the case? All parties involved were former Scientologists. The accusers said the church discouraged them from reporting the assaults and harassed them after they did. The church denies these claims.

What happens if the appeal is successful? The conviction could be overturned, or a new trial could be ordered. His legal team is also pursuing a separate habeas petition.

Quick Facts

Personal Life and Family 

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Education and Favorite Things

Daily Habits

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Net Worth

The Estimated Net worth is $80K – USD $85k.