Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and more wrote letters in support of Danny Masterson before he was sentenced to thirty years in prison.
That ’70s Show star Danny Masterson was sentenced to thirty years in prison yesterday after being found guilty of two counts of sexual assault. Prior to the sentencing, more than fifty people wrote letters to Judge Charlaine Olmedo to voice their support for Danny Masterson and to urge for a lesser sentence. Two of the people who wrote letters were Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, who starred alongside Masterson on That ’70s Show.
Danny Masterson’s defence was asking for 15 years to life, so everyone who wrote letters to Judge Olmedo likely knew that he would at least be serving that time.
Ashton Kutcher counted Masterson as a friend and role model in his letter. “As a role model, Danny has consistently been an excellent one,” Kutcher wrote. “I attribute not falling into the typical Hollywood life of drugs directly to Danny. Any time that we were to meet someone or interact with someone who was on drugs, or did drugs, he made it clear that that wouldn’t be a good person to be friends with. And for me, that was an implication that if I were to do drugs, he wouldn’t want to be friends with me, which is something I never would want to risk or jeopardize. I am grateful to him for that positive peer pressure.” Kutcher added, “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. 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.“
Mila Kunis wrote that Masterson became an older brother figure to her during their time on That ’70s Show. “I first met Danny during our time working together on That 70’s Show, and from the very beginning, I could sense his innate goodness and genuine nature,” Kunis wrote. “Throughout our time together, Danny has proven to be an amazing friend, confidant, and, above all, an outstanding older brother figure to me. His caring nature and ability to offer guidance have been instrumental in my growth both personally and professionally… In conclusion, 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.“
Others who wrote letters in support of Danny Masterson include Debra Jo Rupp, Kurtwood Smith, Alana Masterson, Christopher Masterson, Jordan Masterson, Billy Baldwin, Giovanni Ribisi, and more.