Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis Wrote Letters in Support of Danny Masterson Ahead of Rape Sentencing; Kutcher Called Him a ‘Role Model’
By
Zack Sharf,
Elizabeth Wagmeister
Getty Images
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were two of more than 50 people who wrote to the judge in the Danny Masterson sexual assault trial to support the convicted actor ahead of his sentencing, per court documents obtained by Variety.
Kutcher and Kunis, who are married and share two young children, starred with Masterson on Fox’s sitcom “That ’70s Show,” which ran for eight seasons and 200 episodes between 1998 and 2006. Kutcher then starred with Masterson on Netflix’s “The Ranch.” Masterson was written out of the show in its third season, after being accused of sexual assault in 2017.
Kutcher and Kunis wrote letters in an effort to the urge the judge for a lesser sentencing. Masterson had been facing 30 years to life, which is the maximum sentence allowed by law. His defense was asking for 15 years to life, so those who wrote letters to the judge were likely aware he would be getting at least 15 years in prison. On Thursday,
he was sentenced to the maximum 30 years to life in downtown Los Angeles. He will be eligible for parole when he is 77-years-old.
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In Kutcher’s letter, he referred to Masterson as a “role model.” In Kunis’ letter, she vouched for Masterson’s “exceptional character.”
“While I’m aware that the judgement has been cast as guilty on two counts of rape by force and the victims have a great desire for justice, I hope that my testament to his character is taken into consideration in sentencing,” Kutcher’s letter reads. “I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society and having his daughter raised without a present father would [be] a tertiary injustice in and of itself. Thank you for taking the time to read this.”
Kunis’ letter adds, “I wholeheartedly vouch for Danny Masterson’s exceptional character and the tremendous positive influence he has had on me and the people around him. His dedication to leading a drug-free life and the genuine care he extends to others make him an outstanding role model and friend.”
Variety has reached out to Kutcher and Kunis’ representatives for further comment.
Tony Ortega, a prominent journalist who regularly covers Scientology and had extensive coverage on Masterson’s case, was first to
publish the letters in full
Masterson was charged in June 2020 with three counts of rape from alleged incidents that took place between 2001 and 2003. His 2022 court case ended in a mistrial in December. The judge opted to re-try the case, and Masterson faced a second trial this year, which ended in him being convicted of two counts of rape. He
was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Sept. 7.