How Danny Masterson's Rape Case Took a Toll on His Marriage to Bijou Phillips: A Look Into the Former Couple's Relationship

Bijou Phillips met Danny Masterson in a celebrity poker tournament in Las Vegas, where they sat next to each other.

In her 2009 interview with Paper Magazine, Phillips said Masterson caught her attention after he ignored her.

"Every guy at the table was flirting with me but Danny," she said. "He wasn't laughing at my jokes. I was like, 'Who is this Danny Masterson and what does he think he's doing?'"

Shortly after the meeting, they gave it a shot and began dating.

Masterson popped the question to Phillips after three-and-a-half years of dating. Their collaborations and projects — including Wake, Made For Each Other and The Bridge to Nowhere — strengthened their relationship.

Masterson and Phillips' representative confirmed the then-couple tied the knot at a private castle in the Irish countryside on October 18, 2011.

Over two years after they wed, the pair welcomed their child, daughter Fianna Francis. The former Ranch star announced the birth of their baby on Instagram.

"Hello friends.Beyond thrilled to announce The birth of our daughter Fianna Francis Masterson! Mom and baby are doing amazing," Masterson captioned the post. "You can all refer to me as dj dadpants from now on…"

After journalist Tony Ortega broke the news about sexual allegations against Masterson, the Los Angeles Police Department launched a probe into The Ranch actor.

"The Los Angeles Police Department Robbery Homicide Division, Sexual Assault Section, is conducting an investigation involving the actor Danny Masterson," LAPD's Robbery Homicide Division confirmed in a statement. "Three women have come forward and disclosed that they were sexually assaulted by Masterson during the early 2000's."

A representative for the That '70s Show actor dismissed the claims.

Amid the investigation, Phillips underwent a transplant due to a kidney disease. Masterson uploaded a photo showing his then-wife holding hands with her kidney donor.

"She was given the gift of an encore by a tall angel," Masterson wrote. "Our daughter will have a mother. We do not take lightly how incredibly fortunate we are. 100 percent successful transplant. Now the real work begins for her to silence any chance of rejection."

The Black and White actress revealed in February 2017 she needed to undergo the surgery since she was born with small kidneys.

In October 2022, Masterson shared his final Instagram post featuring a photo of his whole family.

"After a long two days in LA it's coming home to these 3 perfect ladies that makes a boy smile," he wrote in the caption.

A Los Angeles Superior Court jury found Masterson guilty of two counts of forcible rape. The third count was tagged a mistrial.

According to legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff, Masterson did not show much of a reaction after the verdict was read, but his family members were trying to contain their emotions following the heartbreaking revelation.

Meanwhile, Phillips began to cry after hearing the ruling.

"'Can you maintain your composure? I know it's hard. But if not I need you to step outside,' judge tells her," Cuniff wrote on X.

"Masterson was handcuffed at the defense table and is being taken to jail. Judge Olmedo said a remand is standard here. Next hearing is August 4," the reporter continued. "Defense lawyer Phil Cohen is reminding the judge the rapes Masterson was convicted of happening 20 years ago."

Following a lengthy court battle, Judge Charlaine Olmedo sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in prison.

"Mr. Masterson, you are not the victim here," the judge said. "Your actions 20 years ago took away another person's voice and choice. Your actions 20 years ago were criminal, and that is why you are here."

Phillips and other family members were in the courtroom during the sentencing.

Phillips filed for divorce from Masterson in a Santa Barbara, Calif., court, citing "irreconcilable differences."

TMZ confirmed she requested spousal support and asked to "terminate the court's ability to grant support" to her estranged husband. She also sought full legal and physical custody of their daughter and that their assets be divided as separate property.

"This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family," Phillips' lawyer Peter A. Lauzon wrote in a statement to People. "Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life. Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter. She hopes that everyone will respect her family's privacy in these difficult times."

On October 24, the Almost Famous actress petitioned to legally change her 11-year-old daughter's name to Fianna Francis Phillips, replacing his estranged husband's last name with her own amid his prison sentence.

The filing is pending a judge's approval.

The same day, a judge changed Phillips and Masterson's legal marital status to "single," two years after the Choke star filed for divorce following his rape conviction.