Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher expressed their acknowledgment of the pain their character letters defending convicted rapist Danny Masterson have caused, emphasizing that their intention was not to re-traumatize the victims or undermine the verdict.
Both Kunis and Kutcher, known for their roles in “That ’70s Show,” stood by Masterson prior to his sentencing, where he received a 30-year to life prison term for sexually assaulting two women at his Hollywood Hills residence two decades ago.
In an Instagram video shared on Saturday, Kunis, 40, asserted their commitment to supporting victims and stated, “We have done this historically through our work and will continue to do so in the future.”
In the character letters submitted to the court, Kunis and Kutcher portrayed Masterson as an “outstanding older brother figure,” a “dedicated and loyal” husband, and an “excellent” role model. These descriptions sharply contrasted with the predator that his victims had described, one who “drugged and raped” defenseless women.
You can also read: Danny Masterson Sentenced to 30 Years to Life for Rape
Kunis elaborated in her letter, “Throughout our time together, Danny has proven to be an amazing friend, confidant, and, above all, an outstanding older brother figure to me. His caring nature and ability to offer guidance have been instrumental in my growth both personally and professionally.”
Kunis also highlighted Masterson’s role as a husband and father, which she deemed “nothing short of extraordinary.”
In his letter, Kutcher recounted an incident where Masterson defended a woman facing verbal abuse from her boyfriend and mentioned Masterson’s efforts to raise money for first responders affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Kutcher also addressed the accusations against Masterson, expressing hope that his character assessment would be considered during sentencing. He stated, “I do not believe he is an ongoing harm to society, and having his daughter raised without a present father would be a tertiary injustice in and of itself.”
Kutcher shared that they wrote the letters at the request of Masterson’s family, aiming to provide a perspective on the person they had known for 25 years, so that the judge could take it into account during the sentencing process.
Kunis clarified, “The letters were not written to question the legitimacy of the judicial system or the validity of the jury’s ruling.” Kutcher added, “They were intended for the judge to read, and not to undermine the testimony of the victims or re-traumatize them in any way. We would never want to do that, and we’re sorry if that has taken place.”
In addition to Kunis and Kutcher, character letters in support of Masterson were written by his wife, Bijou Phillips, and other “That ’70s Show” stars Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, as well as his brother-in-law, actor William Baldwin, and sibling actors Giovanni and Marissa Ribisi.