Two years after he was charged and a few months after he was found guilty, That ’70s Show star Danny Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for two counts of rape that occurred nearly two decades prior.
Masterson, who was best known for playing Steven Hyde on the hit show throughout the entirety of its run from 1998 to 2006, was found guilty of raping two women in 2003 back in May. With the conviction, the youngest age Masterson can get out of prison will be when he’s 77 in 2053.
Variety gave the full details regarding the length of Masterson’s sentence. The actor was found guilty on two charges of forcible rape that occurred in 2003. At the time, Masterson was still acting on That 70s Show. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on a third charge that involved Masterson’s former girlfriend but did vote in favor of the conviction.
Masteron’s legal issues undoubtedly played a role in why he was the only actor from That ’70s Show to not return for the reboot That ’90s Show. Masterson was first accused in March 2017 when three women filed sexual assault allegations against him, but it was only after a fourth allegation was filed that he was fired from The Ranch, to which a fifth allegation was filed against him shortly afterward. That was only the tip of the iceberg for Masterson’s issues, which all came to a head with his 30-year conviction.
Evidently, despite the sexual assaults happening 20 years prior, there was strong enough evidence to prove Masterson’s guilt of what he had done. Masterson’s name may not have the same star power that it did back when That ’70s Show was airing, but because of that show’s steadfast popularity with viewers today, he is still pretty recognizable because of his performance as Hyde much like George Costanza on Seinfeld or Chandler Bing on Friends.
Masterson’s conviction is yet another example of the new era where being rich and famous will not exempt anyone from the laws they’ve broken. It’s even more impressive in this case because Masterson’s sentence means he will spend decades in prison. Hopefully, his conviction will encourage victims to bravely come forward to hold powerful people who use their star power to abuse others accountable for their actions. Masterson’s conviction may have come years longer than it should have, but justice was finally served.
Source: Variety
