Current:Home > MyDanny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips files for divorce after his 30-year rape sentence -Wealth Harmony Labs
Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips files for divorce after his 30-year rape sentence
View
Date:2025-04-18 00:50:39
Bijou Phillips Masterson has filed for divorce from husband Danny Masterson over a week after he was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women.
Phillips filed a petition to end their 11-year marriage on Monday in Santa Barbara court, according to court documents reviewed by USA TODAY. TMZ was first to report the news.
Phillips cited irreconcilable differences as the reason and listed the date of their separation as "TBD." Her petition, signed Sept. 15, requested spousal support as well as restoration of her name to Bijou Phillips and full legal and physical custody of their daughter, with Masterson receiving child visitation.
The two married October 2011 and share a 9-year-old daughter, Fianna Francis Masterson, together.
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Phillips and Masterson for further information.
Phillips stood by Masterson throughout his two trials. She wept when the guilty verdicts were read on May 31 and showed similar emotion at times during his Sept. 7 sentencing hearing, when a judge handed down the maximum sentence allowed by law to the 47-year-old actor. Masterson will be eligible for parole after serving 25½ years but can be held in prison for life.
A jury of seven women and five men had found Masterson guilty of two counts of rape after seven days of deliberations. Both attacks took place in Masterson's Hollywood-area home in 2003 when he was at the height of his fame on the Fox sitcom "That '70s Show." The jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on a third count, an allegation that Masterson also raped a longtime girlfriend.
Masterson maintains his innocence, and his attorneys have said they plan to appeal, contending there were problems with evidence and constitutional issues with his conviction.
Bijou Phillips called Danny Masterson an 'extraordinary husband' a month before divorce
In the character reference letter she wrote in support of her husband last month before his sentencing, Phillips said Masterson has been "a life-saving partner to me" over the course of 19 years together.
"Danny is an amazing father. Our daughter and I are heartbroken that he is not home with us. It has been very difficult without him here," she wrote. "We need him more than you can imagine. I know he has been convicted of serious crimes. But the man I married has only been an extraordinary husband to me and a devoted father to our daughter."
The letter, addressed to Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo and dated Aug. 14, was among dozens that Masterson's family and friends wrote — made public by The Hollywood Reporter — urging leniency in his sentencing.
Who is Bijou Phillips?
Phillips, daughter of "The Mamas and the Papas" singer-songwriter John Phillips and actor Genevieve Waite, was a model as a teenager and released an album before shifting to acting.
She has appeared in films including "Almost Famous" and television shows including "Raising Hopes" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
Ashton Kutcherresigns from anti-child sex abuse nonprofit after supporting Danny Masterson
Contributing: Associated Press
veryGood! (591)
Related
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Sacha Baron Cohen talks disappearing into 'cruel' new role for TV show 'Disclaimer'
- Titans' Calvin Ridley vents after zero-catch game: '(Expletive) is getting crazy for me'
- Sister Wives' Kody Brown Claims Ex Meri Brown Was Never Loyal to Me Ever in Marriage
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- When is 'Tracker' back? Season 2 release date, cast, where to watch
- Bears vs. Jaguars in London: Start time, how to watch for Week 6 international game
- How did Ashton Jeanty do vs Hawaii? Boise State RB's stats, highlights from Week 7 win
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Who plays on Monday Night Football? Breaking down Week 6 matchup
Ranking
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Horoscopes Today, October 14, 2024
- Operator dies and more than a dozen passengers hurt as New Jersey commuter train hits tree
- Wisconsin officials require burning permits in 13 counties as dry conditions continue
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Concerns for playoff contenders lead college football Week 7 overreactions
- Watch little baby and huge dog enjoy their favorite pastime... cuddling and people-watching
- Spike Lee’s 1st trip, Michael Jordan’s welcome to newcomers and more from basketball Hall of Fame
Recommendation
Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
Biden will survey Hurricane Milton damage in Florida, Harris attends church in North Carolina
Teddi Mellencamp Details the Toughest Part of Her Melanoma Battle: You Have Very Dark Moments
Ariana Grande hosts ‘SNL’ for the first time since the last female presidential nominee
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
Not exactly smooth sailing at the 52nd Albuquerque balloon fiesta after 4 incidents
Teddi Mellencamp Details the Toughest Part of Her Melanoma Battle: You Have Very Dark Moments
Bethany Hamilton Makes Plea to Help Her Nephew, 3, After Drowning Incident