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- How their relationship began and led to marriage
- Family life: a daughter and public appearances
- Allegations, career fallout and initial response
- Arrest, charges and bail details
- Support from Bijou Phillips during the legal process
- Trials, mistrial and retrial
- Sentencing and its immediate repercussions
- Divorce filing and legal separation
- Key dates and a compact timeline
Danny Masterson and Bijou Phillips’ marriage began as a Hollywood romance and ended amid one of the most high-profile criminal cases involving an entertainer in recent years. Their story spans a decade of public triumphs, private hardships and a legal battle that changed both their lives.
How their relationship began and led to marriage
The couple first crossed paths at a celebrity poker event. Their connection grew quickly and they tied the knot in 2011.
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- Danny Masterson — known for roles on sitcoms and his part in Netflix’s The Ranch.
- Bijou Phillips — actress and model who has worked in film and music.
- They married in 2011 after several years of dating that began in the late 2000s.
Family life: a daughter and public appearances
In 2014 the couple welcomed a daughter, Fianna, adding a new chapter to their family life. Public appearances continued but became less frequent as legal issues emerged.
Allegations, career fallout and initial response
Starting in early 2017, multiple women accused Masterson of sexual assaults dating back to the early 2000s. The accusations triggered immediate consequences in the entertainment industry.
- Netflix removed him from the cast of The Ranch.
- Masterson publicly denied the allegations.
- His affiliation with the Church of Scientology drew media attention as the story unfolded.
Arrest, charges and bail details
In June 2020, law enforcement arrested Masterson and charged him with multiple counts of rape. He posted a substantial bond and entered pleas challenging the charges.
- Arrest: June 2020.
- Charges: three counts of rape.
- Bail: $3.3 million posted for release.
- Plea: not guilty to all charges.
Support from Bijou Phillips during the legal process
Throughout the pretrial period and into early court hearings, Phillips maintained a public stance of support. Sources close to the couple described her as a steady presence during the ordeal.
Sources reported she stood by him as the case moved toward trial.
Trials, mistrial and retrial
The first trial reached a stalemate and a jury could not deliver a unanimous verdict. After that mistrial, prosecutors pursued a second trial that would result in a different outcome.
- First criminal trial: began in August 2022.
- Mistrial declared: November 2022, after a hung jury.
- Retrial: started April 2023.
- Verdict: guilty, May 2023.
Sentencing and its immediate repercussions
Following the guilty verdict, the court handed down a lengthy sentence. Reports indicated Phillips attended the sentencing hearing.
- Sentence: 30 years to life in prison.
- Sentencing month: September 2023.
- Phillips was reported to be present for the sentencing proceedings.
Divorce filing and legal separation
Less than two weeks after the sentencing, Bijou Phillips filed for divorce, ending a marriage that had lasted more than a decade.
- Divorce filed: within two weeks after the September 2023 sentence.
- Marriage duration: over 10 years.
- The filing marked a formal legal separation after years of shared public life.
Key dates and a compact timeline
- 2009: The pair meet at a celebrity poker event (approximate).
- 2011: They marry.
- 2014: Birth of daughter Fianna.
- March 2017: Multiple women come forward with assault allegations.
- June 2020: Masterson arrested and charged with three counts of rape.
- August 2022: First criminal trial begins.
- November 2022: Mistrial declared.
- April 2023: Retrial begins.
- May 2023: Guilty verdict returned.
- September 2023: Sentenced to 30 years to life; Phillips reportedly attends.
- Mid-September 2023: Phillips files for divorce less than two weeks after sentencing.
