Current:Home > InvestDanny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips files for divorce after his 30-year rape sentence -InvestTomorrow
Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips files for divorce after his 30-year rape sentence
View
Date:2025-04-25 10:08:00
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! (56436)
Related
- A steeplechase record at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Then a proposal. (He said yes.)
- Baylor to retire Brittney Griner’s jersey during Feb. 18 game vs. Texas Tech
- Seattle Mariners get Jorge Polanco from Minnesota Twins in five-player trade
- A 22-year-old skier died after colliding into a tree at Aspen Highlands resort
- Connie Chiume, South African 'Black Panther' actress, dies at 72
- Colombia and the National Liberation Army rebels extend ceasefire for a week as talks continue
- 2024 Super Bowl is set, with the Kansas City Chiefs to face the San Francisco 49ers
- These are the retail and tech companies that have slashed jobs
- Organizers cancel Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna over fears of an attack
- Haitian judge seeks to interview widow of slain president in leaked warrant obtained by AP
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- When a white supremacist threatened an Iraqi DEI coordinator in Maine, he fled the state
- Taylor Swift attends Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens AFC championship game
- T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach’s Exes Andrew Shue and Marilee Fiebig Have Rare Airport Outing
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Police investigating headlock assault on hijab-wearing girl at suburban Chicago middle school
- Chiefs coach Andy Reid expects Kadarius Toney back at practice after rant on social media
- Proof Below Deck's Fraser Olender Might Be Dating a Charter Guest After Season 11 Kiss
Recommendation
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
South Korea says North Korea fired cruise missiles in 3rd launch of such weapons this month
French police asked for extra pay during Paris Olympics. They will get bonuses of up to $2,000
Investigators detail how an American Airlines jet crossed a runway in front of a Delta plane at JFK
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Tax season 2024 opens Monday. What to know about filing early, refunds and more.
German president calls for alliance against extremism as protests against far right draw thousands
South Africa’s ruling ANC suspends former president Zuma for backing a new party in elections