Overview

Danny Masterson (born March 13, 1976) is an American actor and disc jockey who rose to prominence in the late 1990s and 2000s. He is widely recognized for playing Steven Hyde on the period sitcom That '70s Show, a role that made him a familiar face in mainstream television. Over the course of his career he worked in film and TV and pursued music-related projects as a DJ and producer.

Career and public work

Masterson began acting as a child and moved into regular television work as a young adult. His portrayal of Steven Hyde — a laconic, countercultural character — remains his best-known performance and is frequently cited in discussions of late-1990s and early-2000s youth-oriented sitcoms. Beyond that role he appeared in a range of television and film projects; for a concise list of his credits see film and television credits. He also worked as a disc jockey and released or performed musical mixes, described in some profiles of his work as a disc jockey.

Early life and personal life

Born in 1976, Masterson entered entertainment at an early age. He married actress Bijou Phillips in 2011; the couple has children. He has been associated publicly with the Church of Scientology, an affiliation that drew media attention during later controversies.

Beginning in the late 2010s a number of sexual-assault allegations against Masterson were reported publicly. In 2020 he was charged in relation to incidents alleged to have occurred in the early 2000s; those charges followed an investigation that began several years earlier. The accusations, the ensuing criminal case, and the media coverage had significant effects on his professional standing and public image. For background and reporting on these matters see the available biographical summaries and legal reporting biography and legal timeline.

Impact, reception and controversies

The allegations and subsequent legal process led to his removal from some industry projects and contributed to broader conversations about workplace safety, celebrity accountability, and how institutions handle accusations. Commentary about Masterson often links his acting work to the more public aspects of his life, including his religious affiliation and the legal matters that ended up dominating coverage of him in later years.

Notable facts and selected appearances

  • Best known for the role of Steven Hyde on That '70s Show.
  • Worked as a disc jockey and appeared in various film and television roles; see credits and profiles of his music activities.
  • Public controversies and criminal charges in 2020 and subsequent legal outcomes have been central to his recent public profile; for timelines consult detailed reports and summaries here.

This article summarizes widely reported aspects of Masterson's life and career: his rise to fame as a television actor, his ancillary work as a DJ, and the legal controversies that profoundly affected his public reputation.