Danny Masterson is an American actor, DJ, and convicted criminal with an estimated net worth of $4 million. Best known for his role as Steven Hyde on the hit sitcom That ’70s Show, Masterson once enjoyed fame and financial success as part of one of television’s most iconic casts. However, his wealth and reputation have since been overshadowed by a series of legal troubles that culminated in his 2023 rape conviction and 30-year prison sentence.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Daniel Peter Masterson on March 13, 1976, in Long Island, New York, he began his entertainment career at the age of four as a child model. He appeared in more than 100 commercials for brands such as Kellogg’s, Tang, and Clearasil before transitioning into acting. By his teens, he had started performing in musical theater and small television roles.
Masterson came from a family of entertainers — his brother Christopher Masterson starred in Malcolm in the Middle, while his half-siblings Jordan and Alanna Masterson also pursued acting careers.
Breakthrough with “That ’70s Show”
Danny’s big break came in 1998 when he was cast as Steven Hyde in Fox’s That ’70s Show. His portrayal of the sarcastic, rebellious teenager quickly became a fan favorite, anchoring the show’s chemistry alongside Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Topher Grace, and Laura Prepon. The sitcom ran for eight seasons (1998–2006), during which Masterson appeared in all 200 episodes, earning steady income and global fame.
At the height of the series, he reportedly earned around $100,000 per episode, contributing significantly to his early wealth. The show’s long syndication life and residuals further boosted his net worth in the years following its conclusion.
Post–That ’70s Show Career
After the show ended, Masterson appeared in films such as Yes Man (2008), The Bridge to Nowhere (2009), and The Chicago 8 (2011). He also headlined the TBS sitcom Men at Work from 2012 to 2014.
In 2016, he reunited with Ashton Kutcher on the Netflix series The Ranch, playing Jameson “Rooster” Bennett. However, amid mounting sexual assault allegations, Masterson was fired from the show in 2017, marking a major setback in his acting career.
Outside of acting, Masterson worked as a DJ under the name DJ Mom Jeans and invested in Los Angeles nightlife ventures, co-owning bars and restaurants.
Legal Troubles and Conviction
Danny Masterson’s downfall began in 2017, when several women—many of them members of the Church of Scientology—accused him of sexual assault. The allegations dated back to the early 2000s and led to his dismissal from Netflix and his agency, United Talent Agency.
In June 2020, after a three-year investigation, Masterson was formally charged with raping three women between 2001 and 2003. He was convicted on two counts of forcible rape on May 31, 2023, and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison that September.
During the trial, the Church of Scientology faced intense scrutiny, with accusations that it helped silence victims and obstruct justice. The high-profile nature of the case permanently tarnished Masterson’s public image and ended his career.
Personal Life and Divorce
In 2005, Masterson began dating actress Bijou Phillips, daughter of The Mamas & the Papas frontman John Phillips. The couple married in 2011 and had one child in 2014. Following his sentencing in 2023, Bijou filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences and requesting full custody of their daughter.
Masterson remains a Scientologist, and his faith has been a recurring element in both his personal and legal controversies.
Real Estate and Financial Status
At the peak of his career, Masterson invested heavily in Los Angeles real estate. In 1998, he purchased a Hollywood Hills home for $560,000, later selling it in 2007 for $1.595 million. That same year, he bought a 4,300-square-foot mansion on Hollyridge Drive for $2.995 million, a property previously owned by rock legend Chuck Berry.
This estate later became tied to his legal battles. After using it as collateral for his $3.3 million bond in 2020, Masterson sold it in December 2021 for $6.2 million. He also owned a Santa Ynez property in Santa Barbara County.
Despite early career success, mounting legal fees, property sales, and loss of acting work have reduced his fortune to around $4 million.
Legacy and Public Perception
Once celebrated for his comedic talent and easygoing screen presence, Danny Masterson’s career and legacy are now defined by scandal and conviction. His fall from grace serves as one of Hollywood’s most striking examples of how criminal behavior and abuse allegations can dismantle fame, wealth, and reputation.
