Actor Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years in prison for rape, as celebrity friends step up to defend his character in court.
Los Angeles, September 9, 2023 – In a surprising turn of events, Hollywood actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have written heartfelt letters to the court in defense of their former co-star, Danny Masterson, who was recently sentenced to 30 years in prison for two counts of rape dating back to 2001 and 2003. This sentencing has drawn significant attention, not only for the severity of the charges but also for the high-profile support Masterson has received from his celebrity friends.
Masterson, best known for his role in the hit TV show “That ’70s Show” and later “The Ranch,” was convicted in a highly publicized trial that began in June 2020. Three women had accused him of rape, but only two of them reached the necessary unanimity from the jury to be included in the verdict. The case was briefly dismissed in December 2022 but was reopened earlier this year, ultimately leading to Masterson’s recent sentencing.
Ashton Kutcher, a 45-year-old actor, and co-founder of Thorn, an organization dedicated to combating child sex trafficking, expressed his views in court, saying, “I don’t believe he is a permanent harm to society, and the possibility of his daughter being raised without a father would be, in itself, a tertiary injustice.” This statement reflects Kutcher’s belief in the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective in sentencing.
Mila Kunis, Masterson’s former co-star on “That ’70s Show” and his wife of eight years, echoed her husband’s sentiments in her letter to the court. She wrote, “I wholeheartedly attest to Danny Masterson’s exceptional character and the positive influence he has had on me and the people around him. His dedication to a drug-free life and genuine care for others make him a role model and an extraordinary friend.”
The issue of drug use was a central theme during the trial, with accusations that Masterson had drugged his victims before committing the alleged rapes. Ashton Kutcher, in his testimony, revealed that Masterson had been instrumental in keeping him away from the temptations of the Hollywood drug lifestyle. “I only didn’t fall into the typical Hollywood drug lifestyle because of Danny. Whenever we met or interacted with someone who used drugs, he made it clear that they wouldn’t be a good person to be friends with. I’m grateful to him for that positive influence on his colleagues,” Kutcher stated.
The support from Kutcher, Kunis, and other friends of Danny Masterson, including Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, who also worked with him on “The Ranch,” ............has added a layer of complexity to an already controversial case. It remains to be seen how their heartfelt letters and testimonials will impact the court’s decision on Masterson’s sentencing.
This case continues to be closely watched by the public and legal experts alike, as it raises important questions about the role of celebrity endorsements in legal proceedings and the balance between personal character references and the gravity of criminal charges. Danny Masterson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for later this month, where the court will weigh the evidence presented and these high-profile testimonials in determining his fate.
