Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis Express Remorse for Impact of Letters Supporting Danny Masterson

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis issued apologies on Saturday for the character letters they had written in support of fellow actor Danny Masterson from “That '70s Show” prior to his recent rape conviction.

A judge in Los Angeles sentenced Masterson to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday for raping two women in 2003.

In an Instagram video, Kutcher and Kunis acknowledged the potential pain caused by their letters, which were made public on Friday.

Kutcher clarified that the intention behind the letters was solely for the judge to review, with no intent to undermine the victims' testimonies or cause them further trauma.

He expressed regret if any harm had been done.

According to Kutcher, Masterson's family approached him and Kunis after the actor's conviction in May, and requested character letters detailing their 25-year acquaintance with Masterson.

These letters were later published online by The Hollywood Reporter and other digital publications.

Masterson, alongside Kutcher, Kunis, and Topher Grace, starred in “That '70s Show” from 1998 until 2006.

Although Masterson had a reunion with Kutcher on the Netflix comedy series “The Ranch” in 2016, he was written off the show following the revelation of the Los Angeles Police Department investigation the following year.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo sentenced Masterson, aged 47, after hearing statements from the victims and defense pleas for fairness.

In his letter dated July 27, 2023, Kutcher described Masterson as a person who treated others with decency, equality, and generosity.

Similarly, Kunis referred to Masterson as an exceptional role model and friend, as well as an older brother figure, in her letter to Olmedo.

Both rapes occurred in Masterson's Hollywood home in 2003 when he was at the peak of his fame on the Fox network sitcom “That '70s Show.”

The victims testified that Masterson drugged and violently raped them.

Kunis emphasized in the apology video that their letters were not intended to undermine the victims' testimonies.

“We extend our sympathy to every individual who has ever been a victim of s**ual assault, s**ual abuse, or rape,” she stated.