Danny Masterson is an American actor, producer, and DJ with a notable career in the entertainment industry.
He is best known for his role as Steven Hyde on the U.S. sitcom That ’70s Show.
He has also appeared in other TV shows and films, including The Ranch and Men at Work.
However, Masterson faced serious allegations of raping three women at his Hollywood home in the early 2000s.
Despite the public scrutiny, Masterson and his wife, Bijou Phillips, have maintained a relatively private life, even while being part of a social circle that includes celebrities like Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis.
Danny Masterson: An Overview
Danny Masterson: An Overview |
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Full Name | Daniel Peter Masterson |
Date of Birth | March 13, 1976 |
Birthplace | Albertson, New York, USA |
Occupation | Former actor, producer, DJ |
Years active | 1980–2018 |
Spouse | Bijou Phillips (m. 2011; sep. 2023 |
Children | 1 |
Relatives:
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Christopher Masterson (brother)
Jordan Masterson (half-brother) Alanna Masterson (half-sister) Angus T. Jones (cousin)
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Danny Masterson: Timeline
Here’s A Timeline Of Danny Masterson’s Life From Birth To The Present:
- 13 March, 1976 : Born in Albertson, New York, USA.
- Early years 1980s: Moved to Los Angeles with his family.
- 1993: Began his acting career with a recurring role on the TV series Roseanne.
- 1998: Appeared in the film Beefcake and cast as Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show, which became a significant role and brought him fame.
- 2000: Starred in the comedy film Dude, Where’s My Car?.
- 2004: Appeared in the film The Perfect Score.
- 2007: Played a role in the film The Land of Women.
- 2011: Married Bijou Phillips.
- 2014: Their daughter, Fianna Francis Masterson, was born.
- 2016-2018: Starred in The Ranch, a Netflix comedy series.
- 2020: Faced legal issues, including allegations of sexual assault.
- 2022: Convicted in a high-profile trial related to those allegations.
- 2024: Continues to be a subject of public and media attention due to ongoing legal and personal issues.
This timeline covers his career milestones as well as significant personal events.
Danny Masterson Early Life
Danny Masterson was born in Albertson, New York, and grew up in a family with a background in entertainment. His parents, Carol Masterson and Peter Masterson, were both involved in the industry to varying degrees.
He moved to Los Angeles at a young age with his family, which helped him pursue acting opportunities. Danny started his career in the entertainment industry as a child model and then transitioned into acting. His early roles included appearances in TV commercials and guest spots on various television shows before he became well-known for his role on That ’70s Show.
Danny Masterson Career Highlights
Early Career
- Child Modeling: Began working as a child model at age four, appearing in various magazine articles and TV commercials from age five.
- Commercial Success: By age 16, Masterson had appeared in over 100 commercials, including ads for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Hardee’s, Hostess, Tang, and Clearasil.
Acting Career
- Breakthrough Role: Gained prominence as Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show, a role he played for all eight seasons. This role was crucial in launching his acting career and opened doors for further opportunities.
- Other TV Roles:
- Milo Foster in Men at Work (2012-2014), a TBS sitcom where he starred alongside Michael Cassidy, James Lesure, and Adam Busch.
- Jameson “Rooster” Bennett in The Ranch (2016-2018), a Netflix series co-starring Sam Elliott, Ashton Kutcher, and Elisha Cuthbert. His role was written out in the middle of the third season due to legal issues.
- Film Appearances:
- Featured in Dude, Where’s My Car? (2000) and The Perfect Score (2004).
- Starred with Bijou Phillips in The Bridge to Nowhere (2009).
- Guest Appearances: Appeared in Punk’d and MADtv, and co-hosted the Fox TV special Woodstock 1999.
Danny Masterson Net Worth
As of 2024, Danny Masterson’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million. This figure is based on his earnings from acting, television roles, and other sources of income over his career. It’s important to note that recent legal issues and personal circumstances may have affected his financial situation.
Danny Masterson Net Worth Breakdown
Danny Masterson’s net worth, estimated at around $20 million, is typically broken down into various components based on his career and financial activities:
- Acting Salary: A significant portion of his net worth comes from his work on television shows like That ’70s Show and The Ranch. He earned substantial salaries from these roles, especially during the peak of their popularity.
- Film Income: Earnings from films such as Dude, Where’s My Car? and The Perfect Score contribute to his net worth, though these roles generally provided less income compared to his television work.
- Producing and Other Ventures: Income from producing and other entertainment-related ventures also adds to his net worth. This includes any involvement in behind-the-scenes work on various projects.
- Real Estate: Like many celebrities, Masterson likely has investments in real estate. Owning and selling properties can contribute significantly to net worth.
- Endorsements and Appearances: Earnings from endorsements, promotional appearances, and other business activities can also be part of his financial portfolio.
The exact breakdown can be difficult to pinpoint without detailed financial disclosures, and legal troubles or other financial issues may impact these estimates.
Recent Developments
- The Ranch Controversy: Masterson’s involvement in The Ranch was cut short due to the sexual assault allegations, and his character was written out.
- That ’90s Show: Masterson was not included in the sequel series That ’90s Show, and his character was not mentioned.
Other Ventures
- DJing: Masterson began DJing at Los Angeles nightclubs in 1997, initially under the name DJ Donkey Punch. He later performed under DJ Donkey Pizzle and DJ Mom Jeans by 2010. He is a fan of rock, hip-hop, indie, electro, and funk music.
- Business: Owned a lounge and bar called Downstairs in Park City, Utah.
- Poker: Was part of the poker team The Unabombers in the 2005 GSN series The James Woods Gang vs. The Unabombers. He also hosted and won celebrity poker events, including the Phat Farm Stuff Casino Weekend Poker Tournament.
Personal Life
- Scientology: Masterson is a Scientologist.
- Marriage: Began dating actress Bijou Phillips in 2004. They were engaged in 2009 and married on October 18, 2011. They have one daughter, born in February 2014.
- Divorce: Bijou Phillips filed for divorce in September 2023, citing irreconcilable differences and requesting full custody of their child as well as spousal support.
Sexual Assault Cases
- Initial Allegations: In March 2017, three women accused Masterson of sexual assault, leading to an investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. Masterson denied the allegations through his agent.
- Netflix and Professional Fallout: Netflix fired Masterson from The Ranch in December 2017. United Talent Agency also dropped him as a client.
- Civil Suit: In November 2017, musician Cedric Bixler-Zavala alleged Masterson had assaulted his wife, Chrissie Carnell. A civil suit followed, with plaintiffs claiming harassment by the Church of Scientology.
Criminal Charges and Trial
- Charges: On June 17, 2020, Masterson was charged with raping three women between 2001 and 2003. The charges followed a three-year investigation.
- Trial: Masterson pleaded not guilty on January 21, 2021. The initial trial ended in a mistrial in November 2022. A retrial in 2023 led to a conviction on two of the three charges, with the third resulting in a hung jury. Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on September 7, 2023.
- Incarceration: As of December 27, 2023, Masterson is incarcerated at California Men’s Colony.
Appeal and Scientology Interference
- Appeal: In January 2024, a judge denied bail for Masterson pending his appeal due to concerns he might flee.
- Scientology Interference: Throughout the legal process, there were numerous reports of interference by the Church of Scientology. This included attempts to disrupt the legal proceedings, harassment of law enforcement and prosecutors, and a leaked confidential discovery material by Masterson’s former defense attorneys.