Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were two of more than 50 people who wrote to the judge in the Danny Masterson sexual assault trial in support of the now-convicted actor, “Good Morning America” reports. Kutcher and Kunis 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.
Per “Good Morning America,” Kutcher’s letter referred to Masterson as a “role model.” In Kunis’ letter, she vouched for Masterson’s “exceptional character.”
Tony Ortega, a prominent journalist who regularly covers Scientology, obtained the letters and reprinted them on his official Substack website.
“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 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.
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. 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 in a Sept. 7 verdict.
Speaking to Esquire in January 2023, Kutcher said he wanted Masterson “to be found innocent of the charges brought against him.” However, he stressed that didn’t mean he wanted Masterson off the hook for alleged crimes. Kutcher just hoped Masteron’s alleged behavior wasn’t true because Masterson was such a mentor for him throughout his career.
“Ultimately, I can’t know,” Kutcher said at the time about the outcome of Masterson’s trial. “I’m not the judge. I’m not the jury. I’m not the DA. I’m not the victim. And I’m not the accused. And so, in that case, I don’t have a space to comment. I just don’t know.”
Reflecting on the allegations against Masterson, Kutcher said he often thinks of his former co-star’s child. “Someday, his kid is going to read about this,” Kutcher said, referring to the onslaught of internet articles about Masterson’s alleged abuse and trial.
Kutcher added that he supports anyone who has faced abuse, saying, “I wholesale feel for anybody who feels like they were violated in any way.”
At the sentencing, the three women in the case told the judge that Masterson’s crimes had ruined their lives, and they asked the judge to give Masterson life behind bars. Masterson did not speak at his sentencing.
