Ashton Kutcher Reveals His Surprising Feelings On Danny Masterson’s Horrific Criminal Charges
Ashton Kutcher says he "can't know" whether or not Danny Masterson is guilty of the sexual assault allegations made against him.
Most viewers know Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson from their co-starring roles in the television series That ’70s Show. A Deadline article references a recent profile in Esquire in which Kutcher had some surprising thoughts about recent sexual assault charges against Masterson. Although friends with Masterson, Kutcher did not necessarily support or refute the allegations.
Kutcher admits that he would like Masterson “to be found innocent of the charges brought against him.” He also notes “Ultimately, I can’t know,” referring to the outcome of the 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.”
-Ashton Kutcher
“Someday, his kid is going to read about this,” relates Kutcher. Still, Kutcher was quick to add “I wholesale feel for anybody who feels like they were violated in any way,” showing support for those who’ve been through various forms of sexual assault or abuse.
Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson’s careers are intertwined from their time on the That ’70s Show set. Kutcher recalls Masterson’s role as a leader of the young cast. Masterson often made sure the other actors stayed in line and didn’t do anything to jeopardize the series’ success.
Of his advice at the time, Kutcher said, “He’s like, ‘One fucking rule: Don’t do anything f***ing stupid and f*** this up. Because if you f*** it up, you f*** it up for everybody.’”
Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson had been working together on the set of the Netflix series The Ranch when the allegations against Masterson went public. Netflix decided promptly to write Masterson’s character off the series and fire the actor. Kutcher remained on the show until the series finale after the show’s fourth season.
The Esquire profile comes as Kutcher enters a reemergence in his acting career. He is starring in the upcoming Netflix romantic comedy Your Place or Mine alongside Reese Witherspoon. He’s currently reprising the role of Kelso from That ‘70s Show in the reboot That ‘90s Show.
The 44-year-old actor had been taking a break from major roles for a number of years. During the time, he married That ’70s Show co-star and longtime friend Mila Kunis. The couple has two children together.
Kutcher has also been enjoying a successful career in venture capital in recent years. He may be best known for his television role as Kelso on That ’70s Show, but just as iconic was his role as the host of the MTV prank series Punk’d.
Ashton Kutcher is also a successful film actor. His first film Dude, Where’s My Car? found him becoming a fast-rising pop culture icon. Kutcher also starred opposite Brittany Murphy in 2003’s box office hit rom-com Just Married.
Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson’s reunion on the Netflix show The Ranch seemed to have the potential to re-spark Masterson’s career. For a while, the show saw success, as the pair revisited their on-screen chemistry. Masterson has not had a significant role in film or television since appearing in an episode of the Netflix series Easy in 2017.
Masterson’s trial first began in October 2022, with both parties resting their case about a month later in November. A jury deadlock led the judge to declare a mistrial on November 30. The judge later set a new trial for March 2023.
