Danny Masterson officially files to appeal rape conviction

Danny Masterson officially files to appeal rape conviction

Danny Masterson has filed to appeal his rape conviction.

The former “That ’70s Show” star, 47, was convicted of raping two women in May, and sentenced to serve 30 years in prison on Sept. 7.

According to the Blast, the actor and Scientologist filed to appeal his conviction.

Masterson had been charged in 2020 with forcibly raping three women in three separate incidents that took place between 2001 and 2003. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges in January 2021.

All three accusers took the stand in May 2021 to detail their allegations in a preliminary hearing.

Before he was sentenced, two of the women gave victim impact statements to the judge, where they called him, “Pathetic, disturbed, and completely violent,” and added, “The world is better off with you in prison.”

Danny Masterson during his trial. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The third alleged victim told the court that she “knew he belonged behind bars for the safety of all the women he came into contact with,” adding, “I am so sorry, and I’m so upset. I wish I’d reported him sooner to the police.”

Following Masterson’s conviction, his former co-stars, Ashton Kutcher, 45, and his wife, Mila Kunis, 40, landed in hot water after it was revealed they wrote letters supporting him before he was sentenced.

“As a friend, Danny has been nothing but a positive influence on me,” Kutcher wrote in a letter obtained by The Post.

“He’s an extraordinarily honest and intentional human being. 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,” he stated.

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Masterson (left) has filed to appeal his conviction for rape. Getty Images

“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 continued.

Kunis praised him for being an “extraordinary” husband and father, and stated, “Witnessing his interactions with his daughter has been heartwarming and enlightening.”

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis in their infamous apology video, after their letters of support for Masterson were made public. aplusk/Instagram
Laura Prepon (from left), Kutcher, Masterson and Wilmer Valderrama in “That ’70s Show.” ©Carsey-Werner Co/Courtesy Everett Collection

In the ensuing controversy, Kutcher resigned from the anti-child sex abuse organization, Thorn, that he co-founded in 2009 with ex-wife Demi Moore.

Masterson’s wife, Bijou Phillips, 43, has since filed for divorce, and now has full custody of their 9-year-old daughter, Fianna.

The Post reached out to a rep for Masterson for comment.