In a profound move signaling a definitive new chapter, actress Bijou Phillips has officially filed to change her 11-year-old daughter Fianna’s last name from Masterson to Phillips. This significant legal action comes two years after her ex-husband, Danny Masterson, was convicted of rape and subsequently sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, marking a clear separation for Phillips and her child from the convicted actor’s legacy.
The quiet filing, which occurred on Friday, October 24, 2025, according to documents obtained by People, seeks to transform her daughter’s full name from Fianna Francis Masterson to Fianna Francis Phillips. This change effectively swaps her ex-husband’s surname for her own, symbolizing a profound reorientation for the 11-year-old.
The filing awaits approval from a judge, but the intent is clear: to create a future for Fianna that is distinctly separate from the legal troubles and public scrutiny surrounding her father, Danny Masterson, star of That ’70s Show.
The Road to Separation: Conviction, Divorce, and a New Identity
The decision to pursue a name change follows a tumultuous period for Phillips and her daughter. Danny Masterson was charged in 2020 with raping three women in separate incidents that occurred between 2001 and 2003. After a retrial in May 2023, a Los Angeles superior court jury found him guilty of two counts of rape, with the third resulting in a hung jury.
The legal consequences were severe. In September 2023, Masterson received a sentence of 30 years to life in prison. He is currently incarcerated at North Kern State Prison in Delano, California.
Phillips, who had initially been supportive of Masterson during his trials and even wrote a character letter on his behalf, filed for divorce approximately two weeks after his sentencing. Her lawyer cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split. Phillips’ legal team emphasized that her priority remained with her daughter during this “unimaginably hard” period, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
From Shared Lives to Separate Paths
Bijou Phillips and Danny Masterson were married in 2011, having dated since 2004, and shared nearly 12 years of marriage. They have one child together, Fianna. According to court documents, Masterson agreed to grant Phillips full legal and physical custody of their daughter, though he requested visitation rights.
The formal dissolution of their marriage progressed swiftly. On the same day Phillips filed for her daughter’s name change, court documents confirmed that both Phillips’ and Masterson’s legal statuses were officially changed to “single,” as first reported by TMZ.
Phillips also sought to divide their assets as separate property, with no indication of a prenuptial agreement.
Life After Masterson: Finding a New Team and a New Love
Despite the immense challenges, Bijou Phillips has been focusing on her well-being and that of her daughter. In February 2024, she shared an update with E! News, stating she was “doing good” and that she and Fianna were “a great little team.” This sentiment underscores her commitment to rebuilding their lives away from the public eye and legal drama.
Phillips has also found new personal happiness. By June 2024, sources close to Phillips revealed she had been linked to businessman Jamie Mazur, signaling a new romantic chapter amid her divorce. This new relationship is seen as contributing to a more positive outlook on life for the former actress.
Masterson’s Ongoing Legal Battle and Past Career
While Phillips and Fianna move forward, Danny Masterson’s legal battle is not entirely concluded. In December 2024, his legal team filed to appeal his conviction. His lawyers contend that the trial was “rife with erroneous judicial rulings that skewed the jury’s view of the evidence against him,” and that a “stunning amount of exculpatory evidence” was never presented, as reported by CBS News.
Masterson had a prominent acting career before his legal issues. He was best known for his role as Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show, which he starred in for eight seasons from 1998 to 2006. His credits also include Netflix’s The Ranch, the TBS comedy Men at Work, and the 1997 action film Face/Off.
The name change filing is a powerful statement from Bijou Phillips, solidifying her commitment to protecting her daughter and forging a future unburdened by the past. It represents not just a legal formality, but a profound emotional and symbolic separation as they embark on a new chapter.
