Acting couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have issued a public apology on social media for their recent letters of support to the Los Angeles judge presiding over the Danny Masterson rape case. Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison after being convicted in June of raping two women nearly two decades ago at his Hollywood Hills residence.
Kutcher, Kunis, and Masterson were co-stars on the popular sitcom “That ’70s Show” from 1998 to 2006. Masterson later appeared alongside Kutcher in the Netflix comedy series “The Ranch,” which ran for four seasons from 2016 to 2020. However, Masterson’s involvement concluded after the third season due to the emergence of rape allegations, leading to his removal from the show in December 2017.
In an Instagram video, Kutcher explained that Danny Masterson’s family had approached them a few months ago, requesting character references to present the judge with a perspective based on their 25-year acquaintance. Kutcher expressed regret for the pain caused by their character letters.
Both Kutcher and Kunis were part of a group of nearly 50 individuals, including colleagues, family, and friends of Masterson, who wrote letters urging leniency in his sentencing.
Kutcher’s letter to Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo praised Masterson as a “role model” and commended his honesty and compassionate nature, emphasizing the high standard he set for interpersonal relations. Kutcher also conveyed his belief that Masterson poses no ongoing threat to society and is someone he would entrust with his children.
In her letter, Kunis attested to Masterson’s exceptional character and expressed her immediate perception of his inherent goodness upon their first meeting.
Despite these testimonials, Judge Olmedo ultimately imposed the maximum allowable sentence.
In their apology, Kutcher and Kunis clarified that their intent was not to undermine the experiences and trauma of Masterson’s victims. They affirmed that the letters were meant for the judge’s consideration and not to question the integrity of the legal system or the jury’s decision.
Kunis emphasized their support for victims of sexual assault and abuse, expressing empathy for all those who have endured such experiences. The couple concluded their message with heartfelt condolences to survivors of sexual violence.