Danny Masterson, ‘That ’70s Show’ star, gets 30 years to life in prison
Danny Masterson, star of “That ’70s Show,” has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison after he was found guilty of raping two women in 2003.
Ryan Ross, USA TODAY
Danny Masterson has asked a judge to grant full custody of 9-year-old daughter Fianna to estranged wife Bijou Phillips, who filed to divorce the former “That ’70s Show” star last month.
According to documents filed Oct. 19 in Santa Barbara Superior Court and obtained Monday by USA TODAY, Masterson, 47, requested that Phillips, 43, be granted legal and physical custody of Fianna, with visitation rights for himself.
Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Sept. 7 for raping two women.
Phillips’ petition, signed Sept. 15, cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for ending their 11-year marriage. She requested spousal support, restoration of her name to Bijou Phillips and full legal and physical custody of their daughter, with Masterson receiving child visitation.
The two parties are scheduled to have a case management conference with a judge on Nov. 22.
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Phillips and Masterson for comment.
Danny Masterson’s wife stood by him. Now she’s filed for divorce. It’s not uncommon.
Danny Masterson is serving 30 years to life in prison
In May, a Los Angeles jury found Masterson guilty of two counts of rape in attacks that took place in the actor’s Hollywood-area home in 2003. Last November, Masterson’s court date ended in a mistrial when jurors were deadlocked.
Four months after Masterson’s conviction, Judge Charlaine Olmedo handed down the maximum sentence allowed by law, 30 years to life in prison.
Masterson will be eligible for parole after serving 25½ years but can be held in prison for life.
“When you raped me, you stole from me. That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit,” said one woman who Masterson was convicted of raping in 2003. “You are pathetic, disturbed and completely violent. The world is better off with you in prison.”
Phillips stood by Masterson throughout his two trials. She reportedly wept when he was convicted on two of three rape charges on May 31 and was also emotional during his Sept. 7 sentencing hearing.
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