Prior to Danny Masterson‘s sentencing, “That 70’s Show” co-stars Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and others wrote character letters to the judge. Kutcher and Kunis are among the 50 people who wrote a letter to Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo. Fellow castmates Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith also sent in letters in Masterson’s defense. Masterson was sentenced on Thursday, September 7th, 2023 to 30 years to life for two counts of rape.
Kutcher and Kunis have had a long history of friendship with Masterson, going back to their days on “That 70’s Show.” Kutcher and Masterson also worked together on “The Ranch” in 2016, until Masterson was let go in 2017 for rape allegations. Despite being released due to the allegations, Kutcher maintained his close relationship with Masterson.
Kutcher’s letter claims he’s seen Masterson as a friend and role model since they began working together in 1998. “As a friend, Danny has been nothing but a positive influence on me.” Kutcher credits Masterson to his abstinence to drugs throughout their professional lives. Kunis also heavily focused on Masterson’s “unwavering commitment to discouraging the use of drugs” in her letter. Kunis even claims Masterson as “an outstanding older brother figure” in her life.
Since the letters were released, Kutcher and Kunis have received negative reactions from the public. Many were outraged at the letters, due to Kutcher’s humanitarian work in creating a foundation to stop child trafficking. Kutcher and Kunis released an apology video to Kutcher’s Instagram account.
“We are aware of the pain that has been caused by the character letters that we wrote on behalf of Danny Masterson,” Kutcher says in the video. He goes on the say that Masterson’s family contacted him and Kunis for the letters months ago.
“We support victims. We have done this historically through our work and will continue to do so in the future,” Kunis adds. “The letters were not written to question the legitimacy of the judicial system or the validity of the jury’s ruling.” Kutcher includes the letters were not meant to “undermine the victim’s testimony” and apologizes for them coming off that way.
The video apology, which you can check out below, ends with Kunis saying, “Our heart goes out to every single person who’s ever been a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or rape.”
