What is the Net Worth of Danny Masterson?
Danny Masterson is an American actor who is best known for his role as Steven Hyde on the sitcom That ’70s Show. He has also appeared in films such as Dracula 2000, Yes Man, and The Ranch. Masterson has amassed an impressive net worth through his acting career spanning over 25 years. In this article, we will take a closer look at Danny Masterson’s net worth and how he built his wealth over the years.
Danny Masterson’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Daniel Peter Masterson was born on March 13, 1976 in Long Island, New York to Carol and Peter Masterson. His father was an insurance agent and his mother was a manager. Danny was raised in Garden City, New York along with his three siblings.
From an early age, Danny was interested in entertainment and performed in theater productions during his school years. After graduating from high school, Danny pursued a career in modeling. He signed with the Ford modeling agency and appeared in magazine ads and catalogs.
His Breakout Role on That ’70s Show
In 1998, Masterson landed his breakthrough role as Steven Hyde on the popular sitcom That ’70s Show. The series revolved around a group of teenage friends growing up in the 1970s. Danny’s character of Hyde was the rebel of the group who was street smart and into rock music.
That ’70s Show became a huge hit and ran for 8 seasons from 1998 to 2006. It helped launch the careers of several young actors including Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Topher Grace. Masterson appeared in all 200 episodes of the show’s run. His role as Hyde earned him critical acclaim and 3 straight Young Artist Award nominations for Best Young Actor.
Other Notable Acting Roles
In addition to That ’70s Show, Danny Masterson has appeared in numerous other television shows and films:
- In 1999, Masterson had a supporting role in the movie Detroit Rock City.
- From 2000 to 2002, he provided the voice of Mark on the animated series Cybill.
- In 2001, Masterson played a role in the horror movie Scare Tactics.
- He appeared as Hyde in a 2003 That ’70s Show spinoff titled That ’80s Show.
- Other sitcom guest appearances include MADtv, My Name is Earl and Men at Work.
- Masterson reunited with Ashton Kutcher on the sitcom The Ranch, playing the role of Jameson “Rooster” Bennett from 2016 to 2018.
- His most recent role was in the 2019 thriller movie Killing Winston Jones.
Breaking into Film Production
In addition to acting, Masterson has also broken into film production and management. In 2005, he co-founded Dakota Pictures with longtime friend Jordan Alexander. The company produces low budget films to give more opportunities to new screenwriters and directors.
Some of Dakota Pictures’ films include:
- Smiley Face (2007) – comedy starring Anna Faris
- The Chicago 8 (2011) – drama about 1960s anti-war protesters
- Wake (2012) – drama starring Bijou Phillips and Ian Somerhalder
Masterson also co-founded and operated Los Angeles restaurants such as Geisha House, Dolce, and Beacher’s Madhouse.
Danny Masterson’s Net Worth
Given his long and successful career in Hollywood, Danny Masterson has amassed an impressive net worth. According to multiple reports, Danny Masterson’s net worth is estimated to be around $25 million as of 2023.
Here is a breakdown of how Danny Masterson built his $25 million net worth:
- Earned $225,000 per episode during the peak of That ’70s Show – his role as Hyde was integral to the show’s success. Over the show’s 8 seasons, he earned over $18 million just from That ’70s Show salary.
- Has earned $2-3 million per film for various movie roles over the years.
- Made additional income from producing films with Dakota Pictures.
- Earned money from restaurants and nightclubs he co-owned in LA.
- Has made wise investments in real estate and business ventures that have grown over time.
At just 47 years old, Danny Masterson still has plenty of earning potential moving forward as he continues his acting and producing work. Barring any major financial setbacks, his net worth should continue increasing.
Highlights of Danny Masterson’s Assets
Danny Masterson’s $25 million net worth allows him to live a luxurious lifestyle with expensive homes, cars and other possessions.
Here are some highlights of Danny Masterson’s assets:
Real Estate:
- Primary residence in Hollywood Hills purchased for $5.2 million
- 7,951 square foot Spanish-style mansion with 7 bedrooms
- Previously owned home in LA’s Trousdale Estates valued at $3.6 million
- Has invested in real estate for over 20 years to grow wealth
Car Collection:
- Owns several vintage and luxury vehicles including 1969 Pontiac GTO, 1968 Barracuda Formula S, 1971 De Tomaso Pantera
- Most expensive car is Rolls-Royce Ghost valued at over $300,000
Other Assets:
- Has invested in restaurants such as Geisha House and Houston’s chain
- Owns portion of dozens of films and TV shows he has appeared in or produced
Legal Issues
In recent years, Danny Masterson has faced some legal troubles that have likely impacted his net worth.
Starting in 2016, Masterson was accused of sexual assault by several women stemming from incidents in the early 2000s. After an investigation, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office charged Masterson with three counts of rape in 2020.
Masterson has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty. He faces up to 45 years in prison if convicted. The lengthy trial has surely cost Masterson a fortune in legal fees and caused him to miss out on acting jobs while dealing with the case.
In 2021, Masterson was also sued by four women who accused him and the Church of Scientology of stalking and intimidating them after they filed sexual assault allegations. The civil lawsuit is still ongoing.
At the peak of his career, Masterson was earning around $20 million per year. But in recent years his annual income has decreased significantly due to lack of acting jobs and legal troubles. His net worth growth has likely stalled as legal costs keep rising.
Lifestyle and Expenses
Even with his recent legal issues, Danny Masterson still enjoys a lavish lifestyle thanks to the fortune he accumulated earlier in his career. Here are some details on how Masterson spends his millions:
- His Hollywood Hills mansion costs over $1 million per year for mortgage, property taxes, maintenance, etc.
- Flies privately and rents luxury vacation homes in tropical destinations.
- Drives expensive cars from his vintage car collection.
- Dines at upscale restaurants and entertainment venues.
- Clothes and accessories from top designers like Armani, Gucci, etc.
- Spent over $1 million for wife Bijou Phillips’ engagement ring.
- Lavish birthday parties for kids and other family events.
- Donates at least $1 million annually to Scientology organizations.
Even with an extravagant lifestyle, Masterson’s net worth is high enough that he can comfortably cover these costs. But his legal fees could start putting a dent in his wealth unless he returns to acting soon and earns more.
Conclusion
In summary, Danny Masterson built a net worth of $25 million primarily from his acting career, most notably his role on That ’70s Show. He earned millions from the sitcom at his peak, as well as through additional TV and film roles, restaurant investments, and real estate holdings.
However, Masterson’s net worth has likely declined in recent years due to sexual assault allegations and lawsuits. If he is able to move past his legal issues and rebuild his career, Masterson still has ample opportunity to grow his wealth and become an even higher net worth individual. At just 47, time is still on his side to add to his millions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Danny Masterson’s Net Worth
How did Danny Masterson get so rich?
Danny Masterson accumulated the bulk of his $25 million net worth from acting on the hit sitcom That ’70s Show. At the peak of the show’s popularity, he was earning $225,000 per episode playing the role of Steven Hyde. The show ran for 8 seasons and 200 episodes, so that equates to over $18 million just from his salary on That ’70s Show. Masterson also earned millions from movie roles, producing films, restaurants he owned, and savvy real estate investments.
What is Danny Masterson’s salary per episode?
At the peak of That ’70s Show from 2001-2004, Danny Masterson had a salary of $225,000 per episode. Given that there were 25 episodes per season during those years, Masterson earned around $5.6 million per season from his role as Hyde.
What is the net worth of the cast of That ’70s Show?
Here is a breakdown of the estimated net worths of the main cast of That ’70s Show:
- Ashton Kutcher: $200 million
- Mila Kunis: $75 million
- Topher Grace: $20 million
- Laura Prepon: $12 million
- Danny Masterson: $25 million
- Wilmer Valderrama: $20 million
- Kurtwood Smith: $15 million
- Debra Jo Rupp: $5 million
Kutcher has the highest net worth due to his investments and starring roles in movies and TV shows after That ’70s Show. Masterson, Kunis, Grace and Valderrama also became very successful after the show ended.
What happened to Danny Masterson – why did he leave The Ranch?
In 2017, Danny Masterson was fired from the Netflix show The Ranch amid rape allegations made against him. Several women came forward to accuse Masterson of raping them in incidents occurring between 2001-2003. After the allegations went public, Netflix dismissed Masterson from The Ranch. Masterson denied all rape allegations made against him and said he is innocent. In 2020, he was officially charged with three counts of rape and could face up to 45 years in prison if convicted.
What restaurants does Danny Masterson own?
Danny Masterson co-owns several restaurants located in Los Angeles, CA:
- Geisha House – Popular sushi restaurant with three locations across LA.
- Dolce – Italian fine dining restaurant located in West Hollywood.
- Shin – Upscale American steak and seafood restaurant.
- Beacher’s Madhouse – Vaudeville-inspired nightclub in Hollywood.
In his peak earning years, Masterson invested some of his That ’70s Show fortune into establishing these restaurants in LA hotspots. The eateries helped expand his wealth thanks to LA’s thriving dining scene.