Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips files for divorce just 12 days after actor was sentenced to 30

May 2024 ยท 5 minute read

Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce less than two weeks after he was sentenced to 30 years in jail for rape.

Masterson, 47, was put behind bars last week three months after he was found guilty of attacking two women in 2003. His wife Bijou, 43, was by his side during the trial. 

Bijou - who wed the actor in 2011 and shares nine-year-old daughter Fianna with him - filed divorce papers on Monday in a California court.

The pair started dating in 2004 after meeting at a poker tournament in Las Vegas, and they got engaged in 2009 before saying 'I do' at a castle in Ireland in 2011.

Masterson had two trials. His first, six months earlier, resulted in a mistrial after a different jury were hopelessly deadlocked on all three rape charges. 

Danny Masterson 's wife Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce, less than two weeks after he was sentenced to 30 years to life in jail for rape. (Pictured: the couple arriving together at court for his trial)

Danny Masterson 's wife Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce, less than two weeks after he was sentenced to 30 years to life in jail for rape. (Pictured: the couple arriving together at court for his trial) 

Masterson, 47, was put behind bars last week - three months after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women in 2003, and his wife Bijou, 43, was by his side through the trial

Masterson, 47, was put behind bars last week - three months after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women in 2003, and his wife Bijou, 43, was by his side through the trial

Phillips began sobbing in court as her husband, and the father of her young daughter, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the rape of two women

Phillips began sobbing in court as her husband, and the father of her young daughter, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the rape of two women

He was freed on a $3.3million bail throughout both, but that freedom ended with his double conviction on May 31.

The actor has been locked up in the notorious Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles since then.

Bijou, who had faithfully stood by her husband of 12 years throughout his two sexual assault trials, was consoled by brother-in-law Jordan Masterson following the sentencing last week.

Her lawyer Peter A. Lauzon said the case has been 'unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family'.  

'Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time,' Lauzon said in a statement seen by TMZ. 

'Her priority remains with her daughter. This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family. 

'Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life. 

'Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter.' 

The pair started dating in 2004 after meeting at a poker tournament in Las Vegas , and they got engaged in 2009 before saying 'I do' at a wedding ceremony inside a castle in Ireland in 2011

The pair started dating in 2004 after meeting at a poker tournament in Las Vegas , and they got engaged in 2009 before saying 'I do' at a wedding ceremony inside a castle in Ireland in 2011

Father daughter: The couple share one child together, a nine-year-old daughter called Fianna Francis

Father daughter: The couple share one child together, a nine-year-old daughter called Fianna Francis 

Bijou has reportedly said their date of separation is 'TBD', citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their divorce, according to freelance journalist Yashar Ali. 

She has asked for spousal support and attorney fees and wants her legal name changed back to Phillips rather than Masterson. 

Phillips will have custody of their daughter as expected given Masterson will be behind bars potentially for the rest of his life - but Ali said she will allow their daughter to visit him in jail.  

Formerly a devoted wife, she accompanied Masterson to his court cases in a show of solidarity for the now-disgraced actor. 

Seeming to believe his protestations of innocence, she even sent a letter to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo begging for leniency ahead of his sentencing. 

In her letter, obtained by DailyMail.com, Phillips claimed Masterson was a 'life-saving' partner who dedicated himself to farming to support his family when the accusations about him started to emerge and he lost his acting career.

Phillips wore a large pair of dark glasses at points during the testimonies to hide her emotions

Phillips wore a large pair of dark glasses at points during the testimonies to hide her emotions 

New future: Bijou is coming to terms with the prospect of raising her child alone

New future: Bijou is coming to terms with the prospect of raising her child alone 

In May, Masterson was convicted on two of three rape charges, but the jury was hung in regards to the third, which involved the rape of a former longtime girlfriend

In May, Masterson was convicted on two of three rape charges, but the jury was hung in regards to the third, which involved the rape of a former longtime girlfriend

She also noted Masterson's aversion to drugs - a common principle of Scientology - and his apparent dedication to helping young actors escape the downfalls of wealth and fame. 

But as she heard the heartbreaking testimonies of his victims in court in a harrowing trial, Phillips seems to have reconsidered her marriage. 

The victims, known to the court as Jane Doe #1, #2 and #3, focused not only on the disturbing details of the sexual assaults but also described how they were intimidated and driven from their community as the church of Scientology punished them for speaking up against the That 70s Show's star.

While Masterton was convicted of raping the first two, the jury was deadlocked over a third charge for the rape of Jane Doe #3, who is his ex-girlfriend Chrissie Carnell-Bixler. 

Phillips wore a large pair of dark glasses at points during the testimonies to hide her emotions. 

Masterson did not react to his sentencing - but he blew Phillips a kiss as he was escorted to the slammer. 

But Phillips sobbed as she sat amid a grim group of Scientology friends and family members in the public gallery. At one point, she held a handkerchief up to her face. 

Phillips' lawyer Peter A. Lauzon said the case has been 'unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family'

Phillips' lawyer Peter A. Lauzon said the case has been 'unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family'

Masterson blew Bijou a kiss in the court room when he was sentenced to 30 years behind bars

Masterson blew Bijou a kiss in the court room when he was sentenced to 30 years behind bars

A close friend revealed to DailyMail.com at the time that Phillips felt 'like she is grieving a death' as she awaited her husband's sentencing.

'Currently Bijou is circling the drain and is filled with all the emotion and no emotion at all,' they said.

'She is a shell of who she has been. She is really trying to be strong for her daughter as she is trying to figure out life and what it will be like for her.

'It can only be compared to a divorce or a death for her not being able to be with Danny the way they were.'

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