During its peak years on the small screen, That '70s Show was a smash hit, and it turned its then-unknown leads into major names. Those names included Topher Grace who, after lucking his way onto the show, departed early for new beginnings on the big screen. It also included the likes of Ashton Kutcher, and Danny Masterson, who has a bleak future ahead.
The young stars on the show were making a mint at the time, but was Masterson, who was arguably more popular than Grace, making the most money?
Let's take a look at the show, who made what, and how Danny Masterson will be locked behind bars for a few decades in the wake of a guilty verdict in court.
Danny Masterson Played The Role Of Steven Hyde For Eight Seasons On That '70s Show
That '70s Show, a beloved American television series that first aired in 1998, captured the hearts of viewers with its nostalgic charm and relatable coming-of-age story. Created by Bonnie and Terry Turner, the show transported audiences back to the 1970s, a time of disco, bell-bottoms, and classic rock.
That '70s Show received positive reviews from both critics and audiences during its eight-season run. It achieved impressive ratings, consistently ranking among the top 30 most-watched shows on television. The show's ability to blend humor, nostalgia, and relatable teenage experiences resonated with viewers, earning it a dedicated fan base.
Even after the show's conclusion in 2006, That '70s Show maintains a dedicated fan base and continues to find new viewers through streaming platforms. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its timeless humor, relatable characters, and the universal theme of growing up.
On the show, Danny Masterson played Steven Hyde, and he was a hugely popular character. Masterson was great in the role, and though his career following the show did not take off like other's did, he left a large impression on fans.
The stars of the show were making a ton of money, but who was making the most? Topher Grace was the lead sure, but it could be argued that Danny Masterson's Hyde was far more popular.
Danny Masterson Was Among The Highest Paid Stars
According to Marca, "Masterson, who played the character of Steven Hyde in 'That 70's Show', was among the highest-paid actors on the show. According to reports, the main actors were earning between $250,000 and $300,000 per episode."
That is a ton of money per episode, but again, Hyde was a popular character that fans could not get enough of.
Where does this place him in relation to the rest of the cast? Well, sources of how much everyone made are scarce, but we do know that Topher "Grace, who was on every season but the last, was reportedly making around $300,000 dollars an episode in the later seasons," per The Sun.
If Grace, the show's lead was making $300,000 per episode, then we can assume that the rest of the lead cast were pulling down the same. This means that depending on where is salary fell on that scale, Masterson very well could have been tied for the highest salary on the show.
While this is a nice feather in the cap for Masterson, in truth, it's all meaningless, as the former TV star is heading to prison for a long, long time.
Danny Masterson Is Heading To Prison For 30 Years
According to multiple news outlets, Danny Masterson is being locked behind bars for 30 years after being convicted of a heinous act against two women.
Masterson has been facing multiple charges for some time now, and at long last, their was resolution for everyone involved.
According to BBC, "Masterson was found guilty in May at a re-trial after the first jury was unable to reach a verdict in 2022. Following his conviction, Masterson was deemed a flight risk and was taken into prison custody.
"The actor was convicted after three women testified that he had sexually assaulted them at his Hollywood home from 2001-03 - during the height of his television fame."
Further complicating matters is the fact that his former'70s Show co-stars have come to bat for him, showing support in documents that have been revealed to the public. This has angered millions, who are fully in support of the victims.
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, the most high-profile of Masterson's supporters, have caught the most flack for their support.
"The letters were not written to question the legitimacy of the judicial system or the validity of the jury's ruling," Kunis said.
"We support victims. We have done this historically through work and will continue to do so in the future," Kutcher said in an apology.
Good thing Danny Masterson made some money, because now he will have some commissary cash.
