You probably remember them as the quintessential cool older brothers of the early 2000s. On one channel, you had Danny Masterson playing the cynical, basement-dwelling Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show. Flip the channel, and there was Christopher Masterson as Francis, the rebellious, military-school-bound eldest sibling on Malcolm in the Middle. For a while, they were Hollywood royalty—the kind of siblings who seemed to have the industry figured out.
But man, things look different now.
Honestly, when people search for Christopher and Danny Masterson today, they aren't looking for career highlights or "where are they now" fluff. They’re looking for the wreckage. The story of these two brothers has split into two completely different realities. One is serving a life sentence in a California state prison, and the other is trying to navigate a legacy that’s been forever tied to one of the most disturbing falls from grace in Hollywood history.
The Sentence That Changed Everything for Danny Masterson
Let’s get the heavy stuff out of the way first. Danny Masterson is currently inmate number V35005. In September 2023, a Los Angeles judge sentenced him to 30 years to life in prison.
It was a long time coming. The allegations weren't new—they’d been swirling since the mid-2000s—but the legal system finally caught up. He was convicted on two counts of forcible rape that took place at his Hollywood Hills home back in 2003. A third count, involving a long-term girlfriend, ended in a hung jury, but for the victims who testified, the 30-year sentence felt like a final, overdue validation.
Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo didn’t hold back during the sentencing. She basically told Danny that while he might feel like a victim of a failed system, he was the one who took away the "voice and choice" of others. It was a brutal moment.
Since then, the fallout has been total:
- Marriage ended: His wife, Bijou Phillips, filed for divorce just days after the sentencing.
- The Church Factor: The Church of Scientology was a massive part of the trial, with accusers claiming the organization protected Danny and harassed them for reporting the crimes.
- The Career is dead: He was written off The Ranch years ago, and his Hollywood ties are effectively severed.
Where Does Christopher Masterson Stand?
While Danny’s life was imploding, Christopher Masterson has been living a much quieter, almost subterranean life. He didn't follow the same path as his older brother, at least not publicly.
Christopher, who is now 45, largely stepped away from the spotlight years ago. After Malcolm in the Middle ended in 2006, he did some indie films and guest spots, but he eventually pivoted. He became a DJ—going by the name Chris Masterson—and spent a lot of time traveling and performing at clubs.
You’ve probably heard the rumors about a Malcolm in the Middle revival. Kinda crazy, right? But it’s actually gaining steam. In early 2025, reports surfaced that Christopher is set to reprise his role as Francis in a Disney+ project titled Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair. Unlike Danny, Christopher’s reputation hasn't been hit by criminal charges, though being the brother of a convicted felon in a very public family usually comes with a lot of unwanted baggage.
He’s married to Yolanda Pecoraro—who, interestingly, has also been linked to Scientology in the past—and they have a daughter. He seems to be the one Masterson who managed to keep his head down and build a life that doesn't involve a courtroom.
The Sibling Dynamic and the "Masterson Clan"
The Masterson family was always a bit of a Hollywood anomaly. It wasn’t just Christopher and Danny. You also have their half-siblings, Alanna Masterson (The Walking Dead) and Jordan Masterson (Last Man Standing).
Growing up, the brothers were tight. They even appeared together on That '70s Show a few times—Christopher played a character named Todd who worked with Jackie at the cheese shop. They looked so much alike that producers reportedly had to rethink how they used Christopher because the resemblance was distracting.
But the real glue—or the real controversy, depending on who you ask—was their shared involvement in Scientology.
The trial brought a lot of "family secrets" into the light. The Masterson family has been deeply embedded in the church for decades. During Danny’s trial, the focus was often on how the family and the church allegedly reacted to the accusations. It’s a messy, complicated web that makes it hard to talk about one brother without the shadow of the other looming large.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Case
There’s a common misconception that Danny Masterson will be out in a few years on good behavior. That’s just not how a "30 to life" sentence works in California.
Danny won't even be eligible for parole until he’s in his 70s. He’s currently 49. By the time he even sees a parole board, he will have spent nearly three decades behind bars. And even then, parole is never a guarantee for violent felony convictions.
Another thing people miss? The impact on the That '70s Show legacy. While stars like Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis initially wrote letters of support for Danny—a move they later apologized for after a massive public backlash—the show itself has become a difficult watch for many. It’s hard to see the "cool" Hyde character the same way when you know the actor was committing those crimes during the height of the show's popularity.
Moving Forward: The Reality in 2026
Right now, the story of Christopher and Danny Masterson is a tale of two very different exits from the limelight.
One brother is trying to reclaim a piece of his childhood stardom through a reboot, hoping the public can separate him from his brother's actions. The other is likely to spend the rest of his life in a cell at the California Men’s Colony or a similar facility.
If you’re following this story, the best way to stay informed is to keep an eye on the Malcolm revival news, as that will be Christopher's big test in the public eye. For Danny, the legal road is mostly over, though appeals are a standard part of the process that could drag on for years without changing the actual outcome.
Next Steps for Readers:
Check the official California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) inmate locator if you want to verify current housing status, as high-profile inmates are sometimes moved for safety reasons. If you are interested in the Malcolm in the Middle updates, follow the official Disney+ production trackers for 2026 release dates.