Danny Masterson

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**Daniel Peter Masterson** (born March 13, 1976) is an American actor, active Scientologist, and disc jockey. Masterson played the roles of Steven Hyde in *That '70s Show* (1998–2006) and Jameson "Rooster" Bennett in *The Ranch* (2016–2018).

## Early life and career

Masterson was born on Long Island, New York, the son of Carol, a manager, and Peter Masterson, an insurance agent. He grew up in Garden City and East Williston, New York. He has one brother, actor Christopher Masterson. Their maternal half siblings Jordan Masterson and Alanna Masterson are also actors. He also has a paternal half-brother, Will Masterson.Template:Citation needed

A child model from age four, who was featured in magazine articles as well as television commercials beginning at age five, Masterson starred in musicals as a child at the age of eight, and began acting as well. His singing voice "disappeared" by the time he was a teenager. By the time he was sixteen, he had appeared in over one-hundred commercials, including ones for Swift Premium,Template:Citation needed Kellogg's Frosted Flakes,Template:Citation needed Hardee's, Hostess, Tang, and Clearasil.

## Career

### Acting career

In the early 1990s, Masterson had a role in *Beethoven's 2nd*, and starred as Justin in *Cybill*. After starring in the third and fourth seasons of *Cybill*, Masterson decided he wanted to move on from *Cybill* and audition for a show originally titled *Teenage Wasteland*, which later was changed to *That '70s Show*. The original casting director for *That '70s Show*, Debby Romano, resisted Masterson's audition because he was slightly older than the rest of the cast, but ultimately allowed him to audition. She stated that, "he came in and he was just so funny," and that he redefined where the role was going and made the role of Steven Hyde the, "tough, funny guy."Template:Citation needed

Masterson appeared in all eight seasons of *That '70s Show*. His appearance on *That '70s Show* launched a breakthrough in Masterson's career, allowing him to pursue other endeavours between tapings. After the show concluded Masterson starred in several movies and made guest appearances on television shows including *Punk'd* and *MADtv*. Along with Kutcher and Valderrama, he co-hosted the Fox TV special *Woodstock 1999*. He had a role in the 2008 comedy *Yes Man*. Masterson stars with his real-life wife, Bijou Phillips, in the 2009 drama *The Bridge to Nowhere*.

In 2011, Masterson guest starred as James Roland in USA Network's *White Collar* (episode "Where There's A Will"). He portrayed Jerry Rubin in the 2010 movie, *The Chicago 8*, written and directed by Pinchas Perry. *The Chicago 8* is a film based on the actual Chicago Eight in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and explores the events around the trial. It was filmed in September and October 2009. The film is based closely on the trial transcripts and most of the action takes place in the courtroom.

In 2012, the comedy series *Men At Work* premiered on TBS, co-starring Masterson and Michael Cassidy, James Lesure and Adam Busch. In 2012, Masterson appeared in the film *Alter Egos*, directed by Jordan Galland.

Masterson starred alongside Sam Elliott, Ashton Kutcher, and Elisha Cuthbert in the Netflix comedy series *The Ranch*.

### Music

Masterson began DJing at Los Angeles night clubs in 1997 as a hobby, under the name DJ Donkey Punch, but it soon became a side business. He currently goes by the name DJ Mom Jeans. Masterson is a self-described "rock and hip hop fanatic," and is also a fan of indie, electro, and funk music, all of which he primarily DJs with.

### Business ventures

For a time, Masterson owned a lounge and bar in Park City, Utah, called Downstairs.

He appeared as part of a poker team, the Unabombers, the 2005 GSN series *The James Woods Gang vs. The Unabombers*. He has hosted celebrity poker events, such as the Phat Farm Stuff Casino Weekend Poker Tournament, in which he won the tournament.

## Personal life

Masterson is a Scientologist. He started dating Bijou Phillips in 2005, they became engaged in 2009, and married on October 18, 2011. Their daughter, Fianna Francis Masterson was born on February 14, 2014.

### Rape and harassment allegations

In March 2017, four women filed rape allegations against Masterson prompting a Los Angeles Police Department investigation. Masterson, through his agent, has denied the allegations, and Masterson has not been charged or arrested. In response to the accusations, Netflix fired Masterson from its comedy series *The Ranch* on December 5, 2017, saying in a statement, "Yesterday was his last day on the show, and production will resume in early 2018 without him." Masterson stated that he is "obviously very disappointed in Netflix's decision to write my character off of *The Ranch*." A fifth woman who dated Masterson made similar rape accusations in December 2017. He was dropped as a client by United Talent Agency.

A planned 2019 episode of Leah Remini's show *Aftermath*, focusing on the Masterson rape allegations, was delayed due to what one of Masterson's accusers characterized as pressure from the Church of Scientology. The episode eventually aired on August 27, 2019.

Cedric Bixler-Zavala, singer for the bands The Mars Volta and At the Drive-In, alleged that Masterson sexually assaulted his wife Chrissie Carnell Bixler, and stated his band's song "Incurably Innocent" (from the 2017 album *In•ter a•li•a*) is about the incident.

In August 2019, four women filed a lawsuit against Masterson and the Church of Scientology for stalking and harassment, stemming from their rape allegations. One plaintiff claims her dog mysteriously died from (unexplained) traumatic injuries to its trachea and esophagus; she also alleges that church members chased her as she drove her car, filmed her without permission, harassed her online and posted ads to social media sites soliciting sex in her name. Another plaintiff stated that she and her neighbors observed a man snapping pictures from her driveway and later that night someone broke a window in her 13-year-old daughter's bedroom. Such stalking and harassment claims are indicative of a Scientology term titled Fair Game, which was officially cancelled by L. Ron Hubbard in 1968; but the plaintiffs lawyers claim it continues through 'outsourcing' to private investigators and off duty police officers, to any detractors and ex-members of the church. Masterson has since responded to one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit claiming "I’m not going to fight my ex-girlfriend in the media like she’s been baiting me to do for more than two years. I will beat her in court—and look forward to it because the public will finally be able learn the truth and see how I’ve been railroaded by this woman and once her lawsuit is thrown out, I intend to sue her and the others who jumped on the bandwagon for the damage they caused me and my family." He has not addressed the stalking or harassment claims.

On January 22, 2020, Cedric Bixler-Zavala of The Mars Volta & At The Drive-In reported that a second of his family pets had to be put down due to being fed rat poison wrapped inside a rolled up piece of raw meat alleging that this was done by Scientologists in response to his repeated public statements alleging Masterson of raping his wife (who was one of the four women who filed suit against Masterson). Masterson has yet to directly respond to any of Bixler-Zavala's claims or his prior rape allegations made by Chrissie Carnell Bixler with the closest acknowledgement being Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips making an Instagram post mocking Carnell Bixlers court papers against Masterson.

## References

1. ↑ Template:Cite magazine Most sources give birth date March 13, 1976. FilmReference.com gives March 3, 1976.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "That '70s Show's Danny Masterson Is Being Investigated by LAPD Over Sexual Assault Claims", Meredith Corporation (March 3, 2017). Retrieved on March 4, 2017. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017.
3. ↑ "Danny Masterson Biography (1976–)". FilmReference.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. https://archive.is/20120630074720/http://www.filmreference.com/film/13/Danny-Masterson.html. Retrieved 2016-09-16. "...born ... in Albertson (some sources cite Williston), NY"
4. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
5. ↑ "Danny Masterson Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. https://archive.is/20120630074728/http://movies.yahoo.com/person/danny-masterson/biography.html.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Danny Masterson". *Complex*. n.d.. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071011152939/http://www.complex.com/CELEBRITIES/shotcaller/Danny\_Masterson.
7. ↑ "When Danny met Bijou". *Paper*. January 23, 2009. Archived from the original on October 21, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101021013106/http://www.papermag.com/arts\_and\_style/2009/01/when-danny-met-bijou.php.
8. ↑ "Danny Masterson for Clearasil". Sitcoms Online. http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/45396/cat/500/ppuser/35392.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Interview: Danny Masterson". Askmen.com. n.d.. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160509140800/http://www.askmen.com/celebs/interview\_60/76\_danny\_masterson\_interview.html.
10. ↑ Marilyn Beck (October 27, 2009). "*The Chicago 8*". Retrieved on June 24, 2010.
11. ↑ "'Men at Work' isn't very ambitious", *Los Angeles Times* (May 24, 2012).
12. ↑ Stewart, Andrew (April 21, 2011). "Ensemble embraces 'Egos'", *Variety*. Retrieved on 14 November 2011.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Harp, Jessica (March 16, 2010). "Interview With DJ Mom Jeans (AKA Danny Masterson)". Denton, Texas: MyDentonMusic.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20110714142224/http://www.mydentonmusic.com/interviews.php?page=mom-jeans-3.16.10. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
14. ↑ "Downstairs (official site)". Archived from the original on March 6, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100306075419/http://www.downstairspc.com/index.html. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
15. ↑ Chamberlain, Amanda (October 6, 2009). "Behind Bars: Downstairs Owner Danny Masterson". InThisWeek.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100129013617/http://www.inthisweek.com/view.php?id=1518534. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
16. ↑ Template:Cite press release
17. ↑ Belsky, Richard (September 20, 2005). "Vegas Meets Hollywood at the Phat Farm Stuff Casino Weekend Poker Tournament", *Card Player*. Archived from the original on April 15, 2010.
18. ↑ Saroyan, Strawberry (April 2005). "Masterson of the Universe", *Spin*. Retrieved on 8 January 2011.
19. ↑ "Danny Masterson on Tom Cruise Scientology Backlash", *Hollyscoop* (December 2008). Retrieved on 15 July 2012. Archived from the original on 21 November 2013.
20. ↑ Davis, Peter (January 23, 2009). "When Danny met Bijou". Retrieved on 8 January 2011. Archived from the original on 21 October 2010.
21. ↑ Wihlborg, Ulrica (March 16, 2009). "Danny Masterson and Bijou Phillips Are Engaged!", *People*, Time Inc.. Retrieved on January 8, 2011.
Garcia, Jennifer (October 19, 2011). "Danny Masterson and Bijou Phillips Marry", *People*, Time Inc.. Retrieved on February 16, 2017.
23. ↑ Nicole Eggenberger (2014-02-20). "Danny Masterson, Wife Bijou Phillips Welcome Baby Girl Fianna: Photos". *Us Weekly*. http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/danny-masterson-wife-bijou-phillips-welcome-baby-girl-fianna-see-first-photos-2014202. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
24. ↑ Phillips, Bijou (February 20, 2014). "Fianna Francis Masterson, 2/14/14". https://www.instagram.com/p/koB0uqO0C0/. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
25. ↑ Masterson, Danny (February 19, 2014). "Hello friends". Danny Masterson verified Instagram account. https://www.instagram.com/p/kn64QwEuce/. Retrieved April 1, 2018. "Beyond thrilled to announce The birth of our daughter Fianna Francis Masterson!"
26. ↑ France, Lisa Respers (December 5, 2017). "Danny Masterson off 'The Ranch' amid rape allegations". Atlanta, Georgia: Turner Broadcasting Systems. http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/05/entertainment/danny-masterson-rape-allegations/index.html. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
27. ↑ Lockett, Dee (December 21, 2017). "Fifth Woman Accuses Danny Masterson of Rape". New York City: New York Media. http://www.vulture.com/2017/12/fifth-woman-accuses-danny-masterson-of-rape.html. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
28. ↑ Ali, Yashar (January 4, 2018). "Top Talent Agency Cuts Ties With Danny Masterson Amid Rape Allegations". New York City: Huffington Post Media Group. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. https://archive.is/20180106175012/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/danny-masterson-talent-agency\_us\_5a4e9889e4b01e1a4b13cfc8. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
29. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 "Danny Masterson, Church of Scientology Sued by 4 Sexual Assault Accusers for Alleged Stalking". https://people.com/tv/danny-masterson-church-scientology-sued-sexual-assault-accusers/.
31. ↑ Zimmerman, Amy (2019-02-11). "A&E Shelves Danny Masterson Sexual Assault Episode After Scientology Smear Campaign" (in en).
32. ↑ "Leah Remini features allegations against Scientology, Danny Masterson". August 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190827094744/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2019/08/27/leah-remini-features-allegations-against-scientology-danny-masterson/2095079001/.
33. ↑ Neilstein, Vince (November 21, 2017). "At the Drive In Singer Accuses Actor Danny Masterson of Raping His Wife". MetalSucks.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171121203058/http://www.metalsucks.net/2017/11/21/at-the-drive-in-singer-accuses-actor-danny-masterson-of-raping-his-wife/. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
34. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
35. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "Danny Masterson and Scientology Sued for Allegedly Stalking Rape Accusers". https://www.tmz.com/2019/08/14/danny-masterson-sued-allegedly-stalking-rape-accusers-sexual-assault-scientology/.
37. ↑ McCarthy, Tyler (August 15, 2019). "Danny Masterson, Church of Scientology sued for alleged rape cover-up, stalking". https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/danny-masterson-church-scientology-sued-stalking-rape-cover-up.
38. ↑ "Operation Clambake present: The Scientology Fair Game policy". http://www.xenu.net/fairgame-e.html.
39. ↑ Fair Game: Secrecy, Security, and the Church of Scientology in Cold War America
40. ↑ "DESTROYER OF CULTS on Instagram: “Here we have Bijoux Phillips aka Danny’s wife mocking my wife by reciting the details of my wife’s police report about the rape. Bijoux…”". https://www.instagram.com/p/B7o0Yl8gF8S/.
41. ↑ "At the Drive-In / The Mars Volta's Cedric Bixler-Zavala Alleges Family Dog Was Poisoned and Killed by Scientologists". January 23, 2020. https://www.metalsucks.net/2020/01/23/at-the-drive-in-the-mars-voltas-cedric-bixler-zavala-alleges-family-dog-was-poisoned-and-killed-by-scientologists/.
42. ↑ "DESTROYER OF CULTS on Instagram: “We had to put her down today. This was the result of eating rat poison rolled up in raw meat. This is the 2nd dog we’ve had to put down due…”". https://www.instagram.com/p/B7mo60CAgAY/.
43. ↑ Palmer, Ewan (January 23, 2020). "Danny Masterson rape accuser blames Church of Scientology and "That 70s Show" star for death of her two pet dogs". https://www.newsweek.com/scientology-danny-masterson-poison-dog-1483685.
44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 44.4 44.5 Carver, Benedict (1998-06-17). "Masterson moves to ‘Town’" (in en). https://variety.com/1998/film/news/masterson-moves-to-town-1117471924/.
45. ↑ "Danny Masterson on "Men at Work"" (in en). https://www.fox10tv.com/studio10/danny-masterson-on-men-at-work/article\_610e2a81-2c27-5f8a-98ac-e53b752b406a.html.
46. ↑ "Review: Impulsive free-for-all 'Urge' masquerades as a thriller but doesn't get high enough" (in en-US). 2016-06-03. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-urge-review-20160531-snap-story.html.
47. ↑ McNary, Dave (2012-11-20). "Dreyfuss, Masterson set for ‘Winston Jones’" (in en). https://variety.com/2012/film/news/dreyfuss-masterson-set-for-winston-jones-1118062448/.
48. ↑ Stuever, Hank (2012-05-23). "TBS’s ‘Men at Work’: A rerun before it’s even started" (in en-US), *Washington Post*.
49. ↑ "'The Ranch': Danny Masterson Speaks out on Show Ending, Implies He Wants to Return" (in en). https://popculture.com/streaming/2019/06/09/the-ranch-danny-masterson-speaks-show-ending-implies-he-wants-return/.

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