The Shocking Truth: What's Next For Danny Masterson After 30-Year Sentence And Latest Legal Battle?

The once-promising career of actor Danny Masterson has been completely overshadowed by a series of devastating legal battles, culminating in a 30-year-to-life prison sentence. As of late 2025, the latest updates revolve not around new acting roles but a desperate legal maneuver to overturn his convictions, which has kept the former *That '70s Show* star firmly in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The case has become a complex intersection of celebrity, criminal justice, and the influence of the Church of Scientology, a key entity in the trial.

This article provides an in-depth, up-to-the-minute look at the current status of Daniel Peter Masterson, detailing his complete biography, the specifics of his conviction, the recent filing of a petition for habeas corpus, and the massive personal and professional fallout that has followed the verdict. The narrative is constantly evolving, with the actor and his legal team fighting for a new trial while his personal life, including his marriage, has publicly dissolved.

Danny Masterson: A Complete Biography and Career Timeline

Daniel Peter Masterson was born on March 13, 1976, in Long Island, New York. He began his career as a child model and actor, quickly transitioning to television and film roles. His early career saw him land regular roles in several TV shows, establishing him as a veteran actor by his early twenties.

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• Full Name: Daniel Peter Masterson
• Date of Birth: March 13, 1976
• Place of Birth: Long Island, New York, U.S.
• Occupation: Actor (Former)
• Spouse: Bijou Phillips (m. 2011; filed for divorce 2023)
• Children: One daughter
• Notable Roles: Steven Hyde in *That '70s Show* (1998–2006), Milo Foster in *Men at Work* (2012–2014)
• Career Impact: Fired from the Netflix series *The Ranch* in 2017 following initial accusations.

Masterson is arguably best known for his role as the rebellious, sarcastic Steven Hyde on the hit Fox sitcom *That '70s Show*, which ran from 1998 to 2006. His career later included a significant role on the Netflix original series *The Ranch*, where he reunited with his former co-star Ashton Kutcher. However, his professional life began to unravel in 2017 when multiple women came forward with sexual assault allegations, leading to his termination from *The Ranch* and a major shift in his public status.

The Trial, Conviction, and a 30-Year-to-Life Sentence

The legal saga surrounding Danny Masterson began in 2017 when he was first accused of sexual assault. The ensuing investigation and trial focused on three separate incidents dating back to 2001 and 2003, involving three women who were all fellow members of the Church of Scientology at the time of the alleged assaults. The role of the Church of Scientology became a central and controversial element of the case, with the victims alleging that the church actively discouraged them from reporting the rapes to law enforcement.

After a mistrial in 2022, a second trial commenced. In May 2023, a Los Angeles jury found Masterson guilty on two of the three counts of forcible rape. The jury was hung on the third count. In September 2023, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo handed down the sentence: 30 years to life in state prison. The judge ordered that the sentences for the two counts run consecutively, which is why the maximum penalty was imposed.

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The sentencing marked a definitive end to his acting career and a profound moment for the victims, who delivered powerful impact statements during the hearing. The actor was immediately taken into custody following the sentencing and has since been moved to a state prison facility to begin serving his term.

Latest Legal Updates: The Fight to Overturn Convictions

As of late 2025, the most significant and current development in the Danny Masterson case is his aggressive legal effort to appeal his convictions and sentence. In a move that signals his determination to fight the verdict, Masterson's legal team filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus.

The Habeas Corpus Petition: Claims of Ineffective Counsel

A writ of habeas corpus is a legal tool used to challenge the legality of a person's detention. Masterson’s petition specifically requests that his two rape convictions and the resulting 30-year prison sentence be vacated (tossed out). The core of this legal challenge rests on two main arguments:

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• Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: Masterson alleges that his trial defense team was ineffective. This claim often involves arguing that the defense lawyer made serious errors that prejudiced the outcome of the trial.
• Prosecutorial Misconduct: The petition also claims that the prosecution engaged in misconduct, which led to an unfair trial.

This petition is a separate legal avenue from his direct appeal, which is also ongoing. The filing of the habeas corpus petition forces the court to review the claims of constitutional violations during the trial process. If successful, it could potentially lead to a new hearing or even the overturning of the convictions. However, such petitions are often difficult to win, requiring a high burden of proof. The legal process for this petition is expected to be lengthy, keeping the case in the headlines for the foreseeable future.

The Fallout: Divorce, Co-Star Reactions, and Public Scrutiny

The conviction and sentence have had a catastrophic impact on Masterson’s personal and professional life, creating a wave of related entities and controversies.

Bijou Phillips Files for Divorce

Just weeks after Masterson's sentencing, his wife, actress and model Bijou Phillips, filed for divorce. The couple had been married since 2011 and share a daughter. Phillips’ filing cited "irreconcilable differences" and requested full legal and physical custody of their child. The divorce filing was a major public development, indicating the final collapse of Masterson's personal life following the judicial decision.

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis Controversy

The case also drew in Masterson's former *That '70s Show* and *The Ranch* co-stars, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. Both actors wrote character letters to the judge advocating for a lighter sentence for Masterson. The letters, which praised his character and devotion to family, were met with intense public backlash. In response to the outcry, Kutcher and Kunis released a public video apology, acknowledging the pain their letters had caused the victims. Kutcher also resigned from his role on the board of a nonprofit organization as a result of the controversy.

The Church of Scientology Entity

The Church of Scientology remains a key entity in the narrative. The trial brought intense scrutiny to the church's alleged policies on reporting crimes committed by members. The victims' testimony about being discouraged from contacting police due to their religious beliefs was a powerful factor in the trial. Though the church was not on trial, its practices and influence were consistently highlighted by the prosecution and the media, contributing to the topical authority surrounding the case.

Danny Masterson's current reality is one of legal appeals and prison life. His fight for freedom, centered on the habeas corpus petition, represents the last major legal hope for the former star. The world watches as the courts review the claims of ineffective counsel and prosecutorial misconduct, a process that will determine if the 30-year sentence is truly final. The ongoing developments ensure that the Masterson case will continue to be a subject of intense public and legal debate for years to come.