Topher Grace's 'Disdain' For Danny Masterson: Star Wants Ex-Pal To 'Rot'

The shadow of Danny Masterson's devastating rape conviction continues to haunt Hollywood, but nowhere is the fallout more dramatic than among the cast of the hit sitcom That '70s Show. While some former colleagues are quietly trying to aid the disgraced star, the divide is stark: the show's original lead, Topher Grace, reportedly harbours a profound disdain for his former co-star, an emotion strong enough to sever any remaining bond.

The 49-year-old Masterson, once a beloved star of the show that launched multiple careers, was sentenced in 2023 to 30 years to life in prison after being found guilty of raping two women. He has since been largely abandoned by the industry, but the internal schism among the That '70s Show inner circle is now coming into sharp focus.

An insider reveals the severity of the ill-will felt by Eric Forman actor, Topher Grace: 'Topher Grace, who was the show's lead, can barely contain his disdain for Danny. He's fine with the idea of him rotting in prison'. This cold dismissal highlights the absolute moral line drawn by Grace, differentiating him sharply from other cast members who have offered ongoing, if controversial, support to the convicted felon.

The Divided Circle: Topher Grace and The That '70s Show Cast

The cast of the long-running comedy remains sharply divided as Masterson continues to pursue an appeal against his conviction, which was filed in late 2024 with a brief submitted in January 2025. Some are eager to help the former Church of Scientology member; others have completely walked away. The internal conflict is so profound it threatens to permanently damage the professional and personal connections forged over eight seasons on the show.

'The cast is on totally different pages when it comes to Danny, his chances to reverse his conviction, and his overall character,' a source revealed to Globe Magazine. 'The guy has lost everything, including his freedom, and some friends from his heyday are utterly sympathetic and want to help him, while others couldn't care less.'

The sympathetic camp is reportedly led by Masterson's most high-profile supporters, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, who have faced public backlash for their previously disclosed character letters supporting Masterson ahead of his sentencing. They are reportedly joined by several non-famous industry allies.

Meanwhile, Laura Prepon, who played Donna Pinciotti and is a fellow Scientologist, has reportedly taken a more cautious approach. 'Still, she was incredibly close to Danny from the show's first day and that support never broke down,' an insider explains, 'but her career can't withstand a lot of public relations damage.'

It is worth noting that Prepon's connection to the Church of Scientology had reportedly become tenuous prior to Masterson's trial. Wilmer Valderrama, who played Fez, hasn't spoken to Masterson for years, even before the accusations surfaced, making his distance a long-standing personal matter, separate from the conviction fallout.

For most in Hollywood, the actor is now seen as a predator, and few are willing to publicly back him despite his ongoing appeals. The difficulty the situation poses for the cast extends beyond personal feelings and into their professional futures.

A source notes the almost insurmountable hurdle the situation presents for a potential reunion: 'With the series' 30th anniversary coming up in a few years, it's almost impossible to imagine getting even half this cast together to celebrate in some way. They're tortured over their differences about Danny and his character. It's a tricky situation.'

Masterson's Fall From Grace: Divorce and The Battle Over A Child's Name

Beyond the fractured friendships and career consequences, the personal toll of Masterson's conviction is most clearly seen in the actions of his ex-wife, Bijou Phillips. Following his 30 years to life sentence, Phillips, 45, filed for divorce and has since made an even more definitive break, seeking to remove Masterson as their 11-year-old daughter's surname.

The legal move, which aims to change her daughter's name from Fianna Francis Masterson to Fianna Francis Phillips, was filed on 24 October and is awaiting judicial approval. This decision, two years after the conviction, underscores Phillips's commitment to protecting her daughter from the stigma of her father's crimes.

A source close to Phillips previously told People that she 'felt sickly sad' for her daughter and 'quickly realized that for her daughter's sake, she needed to move on.'

In a separate court document, a judge simultaneously changed both Phillips and Masterson's legal statuses to 'single,' formally finalising their nearly 12-year marriage. Phillips further requested that their assets be split as separate property, with no mention of a prenuptial agreement in the court documents.

While some former colleagues still offer quiet, private support, others, like Topher Grace and Bijou Phillips, have made their painful severance of ties both public and permanent. Masterson remains behind bars, fighting to overturn his conviction, as Hollywood continues to grapple with the seismic effect of his fall from grace.

His life, once defined by fame, friendship, and his prominent status in the Church of Scientology, now revolves around prison walls and fractured relationships, with his future hinging on the outcome of an ongoing legal battle.