Danny Masterson, the actor best known for “That ’70s Show,” was convicted of raping two women in the early 2000s and is serving a 30‑years‑to‑life prison sentence.

Quick Scoop: What Did Danny Masterson Do?

  • He was charged in Los Angeles with three counts of rape by force or fear, involving three women, for incidents alleged to have taken place between 2001 and 2003, mostly at his Hollywood Hills home.
  • In a 2023 retrial, a jury found him guilty on two counts of rape; the third count ended in a mistrial and was later dismissed.
  • In September 2023, he was sentenced to 30 years to life in state prison for those two rape convictions.

Key timeline

  1. Early 2000s – Alleged assaults against multiple women in and around his home while he was at the height of his TV fame.
  1. June 2020 – Officially charged with three counts of rape by force or fear by the L.A. County District Attorney.
  1. 2022 – First trial ends in a hung jury and mistrial.
  1. 2023 retrial – Convicted on two counts of rape; one count results in a mistrial.
  1. September 2023 – Judge sentences him to 30 years to life in prison.
  1. Late 2025 – His legal team files a lengthy habeas corpus petition claiming his original defense was ineffective and that there was bias against him and against Scientology in the investigation and trial.

Allegations and context

  • Prosecutors said he raped women he knew socially, often after they visited his home, and that the crimes involved force or incapacitation.
  • Multiple women came forward publicly over the years, though only three accusations were charged in the criminal case.
  • Some accusers and commentators have linked the case to Scientology, alleging pressure and interference around reporting the assaults, which became a major point in media and court discussion.

What he is saying now

  • Masterson maintains his innocence and is trying to overturn the convictions.
  • In his recent habeas petition, he argues:
    • His trial lawyer did not present key witnesses or evidence.
* The judge allowed too much testimony about Scientology, which he claims prejudiced the jury.

* The police investigation was biased because of links to vocal Scientology critic Leah Remini.

Courts have so far upheld the verdict and sentence, but the habeas process means his legal fight is still ongoing as of late 2025.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.