What Topher Grace Has Said About ‘Defending’ Danny Masterson

Lea Veloso
·5 min read
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Trigger warning: This article contains descriptions of sexual violence. Topher Grace and Danny Masterson were co-stars in the hit TV sitcom That ’70s Show. Fans of the show are wondering if Grace has spoken up about his co-star’s sentencing.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, free and confidential help is available. Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 1-800-656-4673.

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Masterson, who played Steven Hyde on the show, was convicted on two counts of rape in May 2023. He was sentenced in August 2023 to 30 years to life in prison.

Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo issued a scathing assessment of Masterson before she dispatched him to prison. “Mr. Masterson, I know that you’re sitting here steadfast in your claims of innocence and thus no doubt feeling victimized by a justice system that has failed you,” she said, per NBC News. “But Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here.”

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Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said he applauded the women for “coming forward and participating in this process,” adding that he hoped it encouraged others to come forward about instances of abuse in Hollywood. “My hope is that this sentence will somehow bring them peace and that their bravery will be an example to others,” he said. “One of my top priorities is to ensure that Los Angeles will no longer be a hunting ground for Hollywood elite who feel entitled to prey on women.”

Shawn Holley, a lawyer for Masterson, told reporters outside the courtroom that she was “very disappointed” in the sentence, noting that a team of lawyers had reviewed the case and found “a number of significant evidentiary and constitutional issues” that they planned to use in appeals. “Though we have great respect for the jury, and for our system of justice, sometimes they get it wrong — and that’s what happened here,” Holley said, noting that Masterson maintains his innocence.

In reading their victim impact statements, the court heard an account of how the victims’ lives had been forever altered by his actions. “When you raped me, you stole from me,” Jane Doe #2 told the court.

“That’s what rape is, a theft of the spirit. You are pathetic, disturbed and completely violent,” she said. “The world is better off with you in prison.” Jane Doe #1 said Masterson “has not shown an ounce of remorse for the pain he caused. I knew he belonged behind bars for the safety of all the women he came into contact with,” she said. “I am so sorry, and I’m so upset. I wish I’d reported him sooner to the police.” Jane Doe #3 said Masterson’s actions sentenced her to “viewing my body as a crime scene my entire life.”

How did Topher Grace react to Danny Masterson’s sentencing?

How did Topher Grace react to Danny Masterson’s conviction? Topher Grace has not made a public statement about his That 70s Show co-star after his conviction. However, his wife posted on her Instagram Story a statement of support for the victims. “To every rape victim that is retraumatized by witnessing society debate and focus their attention on what is going to happen to the RAPIST … I see you ❤️,” Ashley Hinshaw posted.

In 2018, Grace told The Hollywood Reporter that he “never saw any of that behavior” during his time on 70’s Show. “I feel like it sounds like I’m defending him, but the truth is I never saw any of that stuff,” he told the publication. “I was, of that cast, the most boring. So when it came to going out after the show and partying, I just was boring.”

Though he didn’t make a statement, fans of That ’70s Show are applauding him. “For years, Topher Grace was depicted like he was a stuck-up asshole for not being besties with the rest of the That ’70s Show cast, but guess who didn’t write a letter in defense of a rapist this year…,” said a viral post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Another wrote, “It’s so funny that Sophie Turner, Conan O’Brian, and Topher Grace have all won public favor this week by doing absolutely nothing but staying silent and minding their gd business 😭😭😭”

What have That 70s Show stars said about Danny Masterson’s sentencing?

What have That 70s Show stars said about Danny Masterson’s sentencing?
What have That 70s Show stars said about Danny Masterson’s sentencing?

What have That 70s Show stars said about Danny Masterson’s sentencing? Co-stars Laura Preppon and Wilmer Valderrama have not spoken out about Danny Masterson’s sentencing. However, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher’s letters for Danny Masterson were leaked, according to one victim who identified herself on Twitter.

“The letters will be leaked soon, but I want you all to know that post-Danny Masterson’s conviction & after they read all of the gruesome sworn-under-oath testimony of 5 of Danny’s victims, Ashton Kutcher & Mila Kunis submitted letters to the judge asking her for leniency on Danny,” said Niesha Trout.

“We have spent countless hours together with our kids and he is among few people that I would trust to be alone with my son and daughter,” read part of Kutcher’s letter of leniency. “I wholeheartedly vouch for Danny Masterson’s exceptional character and the tremendous positive influence he has had on me and the people around him,” is how Kunis ended. Naturally, the letters sparked a massive social-media backlash.

Kutcher has expressed support for Masterson in the past. In an interview with Esquire earlier in 2023, he said he was still in touch with his former colleague. “Someday, his kid is going to read about this,” Kutcher worried but said that he was also conscious of victims. “I wholesale feel for anybody who feels like they were violated in any way.” Kutcher said he wanted Masterson “to be found innocent of the charges brought against him,” but added, “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,” on his friend’s future guilt.

In an apology video posted on Instagram about the letters, Kutcher said that the letters “were intended for the judge to read and not to undermine the testimony of the victims or retraumatize them in any way. We would never want to do that and we’re sorry if that has taken place.”

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