Danny Masterson, once best known for his role as Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show, has recently made headlines due to sexual assault allegations and charges. This has put his career on hold and left many wondering—what is Masterson’s current net worth, especially given his lack of acting jobs in the past few years?
This article will provide a detailed overview of Danny Masterson net worth and where his money has come from. We’ll also explore his early life, acting career, personal relationships, and recent legal troubles surrounding sexual assault accusations.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Daniel Peter Masterson was born on March 13, 1976, in Long Island, New York to Carol Masterson, a manager, and Peter Masterson, an insurance agent. He has two half-siblings from his father’s previous marriage.
When Masterson was young, his family moved to East Haven, Connecticut, where he grew up. At age 8, he began taking acting classes. When he was 16, Masterson decided to pursue a full-time acting career.
He moved to Los Angeles and scored early gigs on shows like Cybill and Party of Five in the mid-1990s. His big break came in 1998 when he landed the part of rebel Steven Hyde on FOX’s That ’70s Show. The role catapulted the young actor to fame.
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Rise to Success on That ’70s Show
That ’70s Show aired from 1998 until 2006, with Masterson appearing in all 200 episodes. His role as the sarcastic, counterculture-embracing Steven Hyde earned Masterson critical praise and several award nominations. Being a lead on a long-running, hugely popular series also brought financial success for the actor.
In magazine interviews around this period, Masterson reportedly claimed to be spending lavishly on cars, vacations, and more. “When you’re on a show like this, you can spend a ton of cash,” he admitted in one interview. Specifics remain undisclosed, but Masterson’s paychecks from the series likely accounted for the initial growth of his net worth into the millions.
Post-That ’70s Show Projects
After That ’70s Show wrapped up in 2006, Masterson continued landing acting roles and expanding his career. He appeared in films like Stripes, Made for Each Other, Killing Winston Jones, and others.
On TV, he guest-starred on series such as MADtv, Entourage, and Raising Hope. His most long-running role in this period was on TBS comedy The Bill Engvall Show. Masterson played restaurant manager Ryan in all three seasons from 2007 to 2009 alongside fellow That ’70s Show alum Laura Prepon.
While Masterson continued working regularly, none of these projects reached the popularity and financial success he’d seen on That ’70s Show. Still, his resume was steadily growing along with his bank accounts. Combined with wise investments in property and restaurants (detailed shortly), Masterson’s net worth remained substantial.
Restaurants, Bars & Other Business Ventures
Aside from acting, Masterson has earned an impressive income from smart money-making side ventures. His most lucrative have been in Los Angeles’ restaurant and bar scene:
- Masterson co-founded L.A. hotspot Geisha House in 2000, parting ways in 2012. The sushi bar and restaurant brought significant cash during his 12 years as owner/investor.
- He opened the cocktail lounge Kibitz Room in 2012, hosting frequent events and parties. Per liquor license listings, Masterson remained a co-owner until at least 2018, when he transferred shares.
- In 2019, Masterson invested in L.A. restaurant Ethel’s Famous Sandwiches with his brother and their wives. Though his current involvement is unclear, he promoted it enthusiastically on Instagram at the time.
Combined with other investments in real estate and entertainment companies, these ventures have likely contributed to Masterson’s net worth.
Danny Masterson Net Worth Estimates
Celebrity net worth sites estimate Masterson’s fortune to be anywhere from $10 million up to $30 million as of late 2022 and early 2023. Such sites note that despite a lack of recent acting jobs, residuals from That ’70s Show and his investments still leave the actor financially secure.
Pending civil and potential criminal trials connected to sexual assault allegations (detailed shortly) could impact Masterson’s net worth going forward. For now, minus yearly living expenses, his finances appear relatively stable compared to the heights of his career.
Personal Life and Relationships
While Masterson’s professional path has seen ups and downs, his personal life is filled with long-term relationships and family.
In 1996, Masterson began dating actress and model Bobette Riales. The relationship ultimately didn’t lead to marriage but remained amicable. Riales would later become one of several women to accuse Masterson of past sexual assault in incidents spanning 2001-2004—more details on allegations below.
Masterson found a longer-term romance with actress Bijou Phillips. They dated for several years before marrying in 2011. Through the 2010s, they appeared happy and in love in public statements and appearances. Several times, Masterson gushed that Phillips “saved [his] life” in interviews.
In 2014, Masterson and Phillips welcomed their first child, a daughter named Fianna Francis Masterson. Family life brought immense joy to Masterson, as per past comments. “It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” he told People Magazine regarding fatherhood.
That same year, reports emerged that Phillips had filed legal documents revealing she was battling blood disorder septicemia. Masterson stayed loyally by her side throughout the resulting hospitalizations and health issues.
By late 2020, however, Masterson was mired in sexual assault allegations by four women—two being ex-girlfriends. Despite initially defending her husband, Phillips reportedly filed for divorce around Summer 2022. Masterson’s once picture-perfect family life had unraveled. Proceedings remain ongoing as Masterson faces accusers in court.
| Birth Date | March 13, 1976 |
| Birth name | Daniel Peter Masterson |
| Nick Name | DJ Donkey Punch, DJ Mom Jeans |
| Profession | Actor |
| Father | Peter Masterson |
| Mother | Carol Masterson |
| Height | 5′ 10″ (1.78 m) |
| Spouse | Bijou Phillips(October 18, 2011 – present) (filed for divorce, 1 child) |
| Children | Fianna Frances Masterson |
| Birthplace | Long Island, New York, USA |
| Zodiac | Pisces |
Sexual Assault Allegations & Legal Battles
In 2017, news broke that the Los Angeles Police Department was investigating Masterson for at least three alleged incidents of sexual assault. The accusations involved forcible rape of four women occurring between 1996-2004. Two women were Masterson’s ex-girlfriends (the Bobette above Riales and another woman).
The news immediately jeopardized Masterson’s career. Netflix—featuring him in the series The Ranch at the time—promptly fired Masterson from the show. Reruns of That ’70s Show featuring the actor were also pulled from some television networks.
Over the next few years, investigators conducted interviews, collected evidence from Masterson’s homes, and built a case against the prominent actor. Masterson meanwhile issued strong statements proclaiming his innocence—vowing the encounters in question were consensual. By mid-2021, however, the Los Angeles County District Attorney had seen enough evidence to file criminal charges.
Masterson was arrested in June 2021 on three counts of rape by force or fear regarding incidents with three of the women. The actor pleaded not guilty at an arraignment hearing and was released on a $3.3 million bond. He potentially faces 45 years in state prison if convicted on all charges at a criminal trial, which is expected to occur sometime in 2023. Masterson continues proclaiming his innocence and has made no public indications he will accept any plea deal with prosecutors.
Before criminal proceedings, Masterson has also been battling accusers in civil court. In 2019, four of the involved women filed a lawsuit against Masterson and the Church of Scientology—of which Masterson is a longtime member. The plaintiffs allege harassment, intimidation, and stalking due to going public with their rape claims against the actor.
Just weeks ago, Masterson suffered major losses when a judge ruled the harassment suit could proceed. The court also compelled Masterson to turn over more evidence, such as emails and text messages. The civil trial is slated to begin in August 2023.
Between pending civil damages and possible million-dollar legal defense fees, Masterson’s net worth faces threats. The ultimate financial and career implications remain pending as his high-stakes trials slowly approach.
Fun Facts & Unknown Trivia About Danny Masterson
Away from tabloid controversy in recent years, Masterson historically gave off a fun-loving, humorous, and even wholesome public persona. Here are some endearing facts about his hobbies and past ventures:
- Masterson was an avid poker player and gambler who hosted celebrity poker tournaments for several years. He jokingly claimed to have “lost more money than most people make in a lifetime” due to his obsession with poker.
- A longtime drummer, Masterson toured with indie rock band The Wondergirls as their drummer in 2000. He later formed his group called Royal Crown Revue, where he played alongside prominent musicians.
- Always stylish, Masterson opened the Los Angeles clothing store Confederacy in 2002. The boutique carried exclusive high-end fashion until it closed in 2012.
- He co-authored the comic sci-fi novel The Nerd Posse: Flashing Lights Screaming Wheels with model Carolyn Murphy in 2005. Though not a smash hit, it reflected Masterson’s geeky side.
- On That ’70s Show and elsewhere, Danny Masterson developed a reputation as a prankster who was always looking to get laughs from fellow celebrities. His talk show appearances were always full of wisecracks and goofy banter with hosts.
The Future for Masterson
Given pending trials and limited career prospects, Masterson’s future in and out of Hollywood is uncertain, given the controversy surrounding his name.
The days of magazine pictorials showing off his lavish homes may be over. If convicted of rape charges, Masterson’s net worth could take major hits from fees or settlements. Jail time could also significantly hamper his future earning potential, even after release.
Conversely, in more favorable outcomes, Masterson could live comfortably off That ’70s Show residuals and smart investments even sans more acting jobs. Much rests on the results of his highly scrutinized trials in 2023.
For now, Masterson’s net worth likely still sits healthily in the eight-figure range – but precariously so. The next year promises to be a rollercoaster for his finances and personal future. But the actor has plenty in the bank to mount extensive legal defenses as he aims to clear his name from these extremely damning accusations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Danny Masterson’s wife?
Danny Masterson’s wife is actress Bijou Phillips. The two began dating in the early 2000s and married in 2011. They have one daughter named Fianna Francis Masterson, who was born in 2014. In 2022, reports emerged that Phillips had filed for divorce amidst Masterson’s ongoing legal issues related to sexual assault charges.
2. Is Danny Masterson in jail?
As of early 2023, Danny Masterson is not currently in jail. He was arrested in June 2021 on charges of forcibly raping three women in separate incidents between 2001-2003. Masterson pleaded not guilty and was released on a $3.3 million bond pending trials. His criminal trial is slated to occur at some point in 2023 finally.
3. What is Danny Masterson’s height?
Danny Masterson’s height is 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters). On That 70’s Show and in films, the actor often appears average height or slightly tall next to co-stars. Sources list his weight between 170-180 pounds.
4. What is Danny Masterson’s age?
Currently, in early 2023, Danny Masterson is 46 years old. His date of birth is March 13, 1976. When he first gained fame on That 70’s Show in 1998, Masterson was in his early 20s. He portrayed high school senior Steven Hyde despite being significantly older than a typical student.
5. Who are Danny Masterson’s parents?
Danny Masterson’s parents are Peter Masterson (father) and Carol Masterson (mother). His father, Peter, was an insurance agent, and his mother, Carol, was a manager. Masterson was born in Long Island, New York, where he lived with both parents and two half-siblings from his father’s prior relationship before moving to Connecticut.
6. Who is Danny Masterson’s brother?
Danny Masterson has two half-brothers from his father Peter’s previous marriage. In 2019, Masterson invested in opening a Los Angeles restaurant called Ethel’s Famous Sandwiches alongside one of his half-brothers, Will Masterson, and their respective wives. Masterson’s other half-siblings’ names and current occupations are not public knowledge. He has no full biological brothers.
