The Viral Video of Danny Masterson and Conan O’Brien Resurfaces After Rape Convictions: A Recap of the Actor’s Legal Journey

Danny Masterson’s Incriminating Past Moment with Conan O’Brien: From Humor to Scandal

In the wake of Danny Masterson‘s sentencing for sexual assault, an uncomfortable interaction with late-night host Conan O’Brien from 2004 has resurfaced and spread across social media platforms. Originally, Masterson appeared on the episode of Late Night with Conan O’Brien to publicize his role on the Fox series, That ’70s Show. However, the conversation took an unsettling detour that now seems prophetic.

Masterson talked about a friend’s impersonation of him, humorously stating the line, “Hi, my name is Danny Masterson, would you like to touch my balls?” O’Brien replied with a jest, asking why Masterson would say such a thing. The actor responded nonchalantly, “I mean, you got ’em, you know what I mean? Everybody should grab.” O’Brien paused and then remarked, “I’ve heard about you. And you’ll be caught soon, I know you will.” The clip has since gained renewed attention.

Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years to life for raping 2 women….Conan knew pic.twitter.com/KEE596oqdl

— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) September 7, 2023

Masterson’s 30-Year Sentence Following Multiple Rape Charges

Just last week, Danny Masterson received a sentence of 30 years behind bars due to his sexual assault convictions handed down in June. Widely recognized for his role as the high school slacker Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show, he remained on the program throughout its eight-season tenure on Fox. Masterson later rejoined forces with his co-star from That ’70s Show, Ashton Kutcher, on Netflix’s The Ranch. However, the collaboration came to an abrupt end in 2017 when numerous women accused Masterson of sexual assault, causing Netflix to terminate his contract. These accusations eventually led to criminal charges against him, specifically three counts of forcible rape spanning incidents from 2001 to 2003 involving three different women.

The Initial Trial: A Jury in Deadlock

The initial trial for sexual assault against Masterson concluded in November 2022. Despite nearly two weeks of jury deliberations, no unanimous verdict was reached. According to a Variety report, Judge Olmedo informed all parties that the jury was deadlocked and unable to come to a unanimous decision. The jury even issued a note, which stated, “We are not even close to coming to a unanimous decision on any count, and are convinced this will not change.”

The Actor’s Retrial and Conviction: Spotlight on His Church of Scientology Affiliation

In his subsequent retrial, Masterson was convicted on two counts of rape involving women who were formerly affiliated with the Church of Scientology, a religious organization to which Masterson still belongs. The jury, consisting of seven women and five men, remained deadlocked on a third charge after a week-long deliberation. Notably, Masterson remained silent throughout the sentencing, but the women he had been convicted of assaulting did issue official statements in court.

Conclusion

The revival of a clip featuring Danny Masterson and Conan O’Brien has brought attention not only to Masterson’s past but also to the dangers of ignoring or making light of serious issues like sexual assault. With Masterson now sentenced and facing repercussions for his actions, this old exchange between him and O’Brien serves as a stark reminder of the journey to justice, one that began with accusations and ended with a conviction.

Micajah

Covering superheroes, anything dark, horror, and more! Lead writer for Fan Fest