Bijou Phillips has filed a petition to legally remove Danny Masterson’s last name from her daughter’s birth certificate, months after the actor was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for rape. The filing, submitted to Los Angeles County Superior Court on February 29, 2024, seeks to restore the child’s original surname.
The move comes after Masterson’s conviction in May 2023 on two counts of forcible rape, and subsequent sentencing in September. Phillips, daughter of musician John Phillips and actress genevieve Waite, had requested spousal support following the sentencing, according to court documents. The petition to change the daughter’s name reflects a desire to distance the child from her convicted father and potentially shield her from associated stigma.
Masterson and Phillips share one daughter, born in January 2014.The actress filed for divorce from Masterson in September 2023, citing irreconcilable differences.
The “That ’70s Show” actor was initially facing up to 45 years in prison but was sentenced to 30 years to life. He was found guilty of three counts of rape by force or fear stemming from incidents between 2001 and 2003. Masterson, arrested in June 2020, pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
