Danny Masterson started his career in the spotlight at just four years old, beginning with modeling before smoothly transitioning into acting. By the time he reached his early twenties, he had already built an impressive resume, with recurring roles in four different television series, multiple guest appearances, and a notable presence in the film industry. In fact, Danny Masterson appeared in over one hundred commercials, further solidifying his early presence in entertainment.
In 1993, Danny Masterson took on a regular role in the sitcom Joe’s Life on ABC, portraying Leo Gennero, the teenage nephew of the show’s main character. Although the show was short-lived, only lasting ten episodes, it marked a key moment in Danny Masterson’s career trajectory. Later that same year, he made his feature film debut in Beethoven’s 2nd, signaling his arrival in Hollywood.
As Danny Masterson continued to grow as an actor, he took on a variety of roles across different genres. In 1995, he played Skeeter, a snowboarding enthusiast, in the ill-fated ABC adventure drama Extreme. Around the same time, he appeared in the TV movie Her Last Chance and the miniseries Seduced by Madness: The Diane Borchardt Story, both airing on NBC. That same year, Danny Masterson delivered a more memorable performance in Bye Bye, Love, where he portrayed a morally ambiguous friend to Paul Reiser’s troubled daughter. He also appeared in the children’s film Star Kid (1997) and the lesser-known Trojan War.
A major turning point in Danny Masterson’s career came during the 1997–1998 television season when he joined the main cast of Cybill on CBS. In the show, Danny Masterson played Justin Thorpe, the teenage son of Maryann (Christine Baranski), who also had a romantic storyline with Cybill’s daughter, Zoe (Alicia Witt). The following season, Danny Masterson landed another regular series role in the hit show That ‘70s Show (Fox, 1998–2006), where he portrayed Steven Hyde, the more mature and complex member of the group of six Wisconsin teens. The show became an instant success, and Danny Masterson quickly emerged as one of its standout stars.
After the conclusion of That ‘70s Show, Danny Masterson remained active in the entertainment industry, making frequent guest appearances on television, starring in independent films, and taking on supporting roles in major studio productions such as Yes Man (2008), starring Jim Carrey. In 2009, Danny Masterson appeared alongside his brother Christopher Maserson and wife Bijou Phillips in the direct-to-DVD romantic comedy Made for Each Other.
In 2016, Danny Masterson took on a role in the thriller Urge, and soon after, he made a return to series television with Men at Work, which aired on TBS from 2012 to 2014. Later, Danny Masterson reunited with his That ‘70s Show co-star Ashton Kutcher in the family sitcom The Ranch, which debuted on Netflix in 2016. However, in December 2017, Danny Masterson was removed from the show following multiple allegations of sexual assault from four different women, dating back to incidents in the early 2000s.
When it comes to Danny Masterson’s film career, one standout performance comes from California Solo (2012), which is widely regarded as his highest-rated movie. Fans and critics alike have praised Danny Masterson’s role in this indie drama, highlighting it as a career highlight. On the other end of the spectrum, Danny Masterson also appeared in Urge (2016), a film that received notably lower reviews, making it his lowest-rated project to date. While Danny Masterson is perhaps best known for his television work, these two films showcase the range of his on-screen journey—both the peaks and the pitfalls. Overall, Danny Masterson’s filmography may be limited, but moments like California Solo prove he’s capable of strong performances when given the right material.