Danny Masterson’s plunge from a well-known TV actor to a convicted felon has been both rapid and painful, capturing public attention for all the wrong reasons. You probably remember him from “That ’70s Show” or maybe “The Ranch”—roles that once had him in the spotlight. But everything changed when, in 2017, three women came forward accusing him of sexual assault. That was the turning point, and from then on, it felt like a slow, relentless unraveling of his life. By mid-2020, charges of rape for incidents occurring between 2001 and 2003 were formalized. After a complicated legal battle—including a mistrial and a retrial—Masterson ultimately received a sentence that could keep him locked away for 30 years to life.
But what’s struck me, oddly enough, isn’t just his legal saga—it’s the glimpse inside his prison life, especially when it comes to something as mundane as his diet. You read that right. Food. It seems like such a minor detail in the grand scheme of his complicated life, but when you think about it, food and routine play huge roles in prison survival, mentally and physically.
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From The Spotlight to The Cafeteria: Prison Life and Food Struggles
Masterson started his sentence at North Kern State Prison, then moved to Corcoran State Prison, which is known for housing notorious criminals like Charles Manson. But after a short stint there, he was transferred again to California Men’s Colony (CMC), a lower-security prison, reportedly because of concerns about his well-being. It sounds like, on paper, things might have improved for him on the personal front. At CMC, he reportedly picked up pickleball—not exactly what I’d expect, but it does suggest he’s trying to keep himself active and mentally engaged. Sources say he plays two hours a day and has even earned some minor privileges by doing favors for the guards. This paints a picture of a man trying to adapt, maybe even find some normalcy, under difficult conditions.
Still, the one thing that seems to consistently bother him is the food. While inmates often grumble about prison meals, Masterson’s situation seems especially grim. According to sources close to him, the meals aren’t just unappealing—some are downright inedible. One insider shared that he “might get a casserole so horrible that most guys won’t touch it.” When given the choice, Masterson opts for grilled chicken and salad, but the salad is usually just wilted lettuce. To make matters worse, breakfast isn’t much better, often reduced to powdered eggs and soy-based bacon—a far cry from anything remotely comforting or nutritious.
Navigating Commissary Choices: A Snack-Fueled Survival
Here’s the part that surprised me: Masterson apparently spends quite a bit—up to $300 a month—at the prison commissary to supplement his food. That’s a hefty sum for snacks, especially inside a correctional facility, where budgets are tight and options limited. The commissary’s inventory mainly consists of snack foods like chips and the well-loved Honey Buns, a prison staple of sorts. For protein, you could find items like bagged chicken or tuna, but it’s nothing close to a balanced diet.
Interestingly, there’s a bit of a mismatch between these insider accounts and what the prison lists officially on its menu. On Masterson’s first day at CMC, the menu was a little more promising: Rice Krispies and yogurt for breakfast, a cheese sandwich with vegetables for lunch, and a baked potato topped with beans and cheese for dinner, alongside a cucumber salad and a frozen vegetable cake. Those sound notably better than the “casserole horror” he later reportedly faced, suggesting his meals have worsened over time. It makes me wonder how much consistency there really is in prison food quality day to day, or if certain dietary complaints are just part of the struggle to adjust.
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At the end of the day, Masterson’s situation highlights something broader—life behind bars is complicated and often unforgiving, well beyond just the criminal sentence. There’s a new reality for him every day, from finding ways to stay active and connect socially, to dealing with the bare-bones meals and limited food choices. It’s a harsh fall from being a TV star to surviving on what’s essentially prison snacks, with all their limitations and indignities.
Maybe it’s just me, but I find the contrast striking. The actor known for delivering well-rehearsed lines now has to grapple with the unpredictability and plainness of prison life—which, for many, might be almost as punishing as the sentence itself.
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