Current:Home > FinanceDanny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips files for divorce after his 30-year rape sentence -Wealth Empowerment Academy
Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips files for divorce after his 30-year rape sentence
Algosensey View
Date:2025-04-08 05:04:19
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! (77)
Related
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- How RHOSLC's Angie Katsanevas & Husband Shawn Are Addressing Rumors He's Gay
- Folate is crucial for prenatal care. But it could also prolong your life.
- White House condemns a violent crash at the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Former Cincinnati councilman sentenced to 16 months in federal corruption case
- Blinken calls deposed Niger leader ahead of expected US declaration that his overthrow was a coup
- Police officials in Paterson sue New Jersey attorney general over state takeover of department
- USA women's basketball live updates at Olympics: Start time vs Nigeria, how to watch
- The Amazon antitrust lawsuit is likely to be a long and arduous journey for the FTC
Ranking
- A Georgia governor’s latest work after politics: a children’s book on his cats ‘Veto’ and ‘Bill’
- How Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. Are Slaying the Learning Curve of Parenting
- Search for nonverbal, missing 3-year-old boy in Michigan enters day 2 in Michigan
- Aaron Rodgers says he's not in 'vax war' with Travis Kelce, but Jets QB proposes debate
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- NY congressman says he would support bill linking Ukraine and Israel aid
- The O.C.’s Mischa Barton Admits She Still Struggles With “Trauma” From Height of Fame
- Will Ferrell is surprise DJ at USC frat party during parents weekend
Recommendation
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Blinken calls deposed Niger leader ahead of expected US declaration that his overthrow was a coup
Lego just unveiled its Animal Crossing sets coming in 2024. Here's a first look
The 2024 Nissan Z Nismo may disappoint some monster car fans. Our review.
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Coast Guard says it has recovered remaining parts of submersible that imploded, killing 5
Vanderpump Rules' Raquel Leviss Auctioning Off Scandoval Lightning Bolt Necklace for Charity
ESPN NHL analyst Barry Melrose has Parkinson's disease, retiring from network