Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis wrote letters of support for Danny Masterson before he was sentenced to 30 years behind bars for sexual assault on September 7.
"He also set an extraordinary standard around how you treat other people. There was an incident where we were at a pizza parlor and a belligerent man entered who is berating his girlfriend," the letter from Ashton Kutcher reads. "We had never met or seen these people before, but Danny was the first person to jump to the defense of this girl. It was an incident he didn't have to get involved in but proactively chose to because the way this man was behaving was not right.
"He has always treated people with decency, equality, and generosity."
He continued: “While I’m aware that the judgement has been cast as guilty on two counts of rape by force and the victims have a great desire for justice, I hope that my testament to his character is taken into consideration in sentencing.
“I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society and having his daughter raised without a present father would a tertiary injustice in and of itself. Thank you for taking the time to read this."
Part of Mila's letter said: “Danny has consistently displayed a profound sense of responsibility and care for those around him. He demonstrates grace and empathy in every situation, be it within the entertainment industry or in our personal lives. His steady support and understanding presence make him a reliable source of guidance and comfort for all of us."
She concluded: "I wholeheartedly vouch for Danny Masterson’s exceptional character and the tremendous positive influence he has had on me and the people around him. His dedication to leading a drug-free life and the genuine care he extends to others make him an outstanding role model and friend.”
Reportedly over 50 people, including Ashton and Mila, provided a statement in support of the That 70's Show actor. Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, who starred in the comedy as Red Forman and Kitty Forman, Eric's parents, also wrote letters.
The letters were shared by Tony Ortega on his Substack. As reported by Tony, Mila and Ashton would have both been aware that their letters were not to sway the judge towards Danny's innocence but to help the judge choose the sentencing.
It is not the first time Ashton and Kutcher have defended their friend who was found guilty of two counts of rape in May 2023, and will now serve three decades in prison.
In a conversation with Esquire in February 2023, Ashton asserted his hope for Danny’s innocence.
He clarified: “I don’t want him to elude the law, but I wish for the truth to show he's innocent." But said he couldn't judge Danny's guilt, and remarked: "I can’t know… I’m not the judge, the jury, the DA, the victim, or the accused. I’m in no position to comment. I genuinely don’t know."
The attacks allegedly took place between 2001 and 2003 when all three were starring on the show.
At the time, Danny and his victims were all members of the Church of Scientology, and the three women claimed he raped them at his Hollywood Hills residence.
The accusations were made public in 2017 and Danny dropped out of Ashton's Netflix show, The Ranch, following the charges.
Ashton had also expressed his concern for Fianna, Danny's daughter with his wife, Bijou Phillips, when he added: "Someday, his kid will read about this. The ramifications are enormous."
Just one year before the charges, Ashton spoke about their friendship when he told People: "I think I'd be lost without him. He anchored me, teaching me how to balance fun without crossing lines. He’s truly one of my dearest friends."
The jury convicted Danny of the rape of two women but did not reach a verdict on an allegation from November 2001 involving a former girlfriend.
“Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here. Your actions 20 years ago took away another person’s voice and choice. Your actions 20 years ago were criminal, and that is why you are here,” Judge Charlaine Olmedo said in the courtroom on Thursday September 7.
He was sentenced to 15 years to life on each of the two charges.
Danny's wife, Bijou, was seen tearing up when the verdict was delivered. Also present were his brother Christopher and half-siblings Jordan and Alanna.
The 47-year-old has been with actress, model and singer Bijou since 2004 when they met at a poker tournament. They got married in October 2011 at a castle in Ireland after dating for seven years.
They welcomed their daughter Fianna in February 2014, and Bijou will now care for her as a single parent.
Bijou is the daughter of the Mamas & the Papas singer John Phillips and model-actress Genevieve Waite.
Get the lowdown on the biggest, hottest celebrity news, features and profiles coming out of the U.S. Sign up to our HELLO! Hollywood newsletterand get them delivered straight to your inbox.