Danny Masterson Responds to Rooster's Death on 'The Ranch' Part 6 After Firing Over Sexual Assault Allegations

The Ranch may look and feel a bit different due to the absence of Danny Masteron's character Jameson "Rooster" Bennett in Part 6 of the Netflix series. Masterson, however, has opened up about his thoughts on how the sitcom wrote out his character following his firing in 2017. Spoilers ahead, the fate of Rooster was revealed when the show returned to Netflix on Friday.

Audiences last saw Rooster in The Ranch Part 5 finale. In his final moment, Nick (Josh Burrow)—the ex-boyfriend of Mary (Megyn Price)—forced him to leave town by threatening him at gunpoint. Rooster picked up and left town, but fans soon learn in the Part 6 premiere Rooster was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Masterson, for one, was pleased with the way The Ranch chose to address his character's fate. In a statement posted to his Instagram profile on Saturday, he explained how he thought the show was "incredible" in its return.

"Please support this great show we spent years putting together," Masterson, 42, wrote. "The cast is beyond incredible. The writers were given the ultimate worst-case scenario and instead of throwing in the towel they worked longer hours to create new heartbreaking and hysterical storylines."

Masterson continued by praising the Netflix show's crew, adding: "I've worked with most of the crew since the mid-90s on Cybil, 70s, Men at Work and until last year The Ranch. They are my family. They work 10-14 hour shoot days to make you smile in 30-minute increments. Support them. Support comedy. Support art. Support the Iron River ranch and the Bennett family. Much love y'all."

Netflix fired Masterson from The Ranch on December 5, 2017, after four women accused the actor of sexual assault in March of that year. Dax Shepard was cast in a recurring role as Luke Matthews on The Ranch Part 6 following Masterson's exit. His termination followed the firing of Kevin Spacey, who was ousted from his leading part and executive producer position on House of Cards in November 2017. Spacey was accused of engaging in sexual misconduct with men, including men who were underage at the time of the incident.

"After discussing with the producers, we've decided to write Danny Masterson off of The Ranch," Netflix tweeted. "Yesterday was his last day of work, and we'll make new episodes in 2018 without him."

After discussing with the producers, we've decided to write Danny Masterson off of The Ranch. Yesterday was his last day of work, and we'll make new episodes in 2018 without him.

— Netflix (@netflix) December 5, 2017

Masterson has denied all allegations made against him. After he was booted off the series, he shared how he intended to clear his name "once and for all."

"I am obviously very disappointed in Netflix's decision to write my character off of The Ranch," Masterson said in a statement issued to TheWrap. "From day one, I have denied the outrageous allegations against me. Law enforcement investigated these claims more than 15 years ago and determined them to be without merit."

Added Masterson, "I have never been charged with a crime, let alone convicted of one. In this country, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, in the current climate, it seems as if you are presumed guilty the moment you are accused."

Danny Masterson on 'The Ranch' Part 6
Danny Masterson addressed his character's fate on 'The Ranch' as the show returns for Part 6 without him. Here, Masterson is pictured speaking during a Launch Event for Netflix 'The Ranch: Part 3' hosted by... Anna Webber/Getty Images for Netflix

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About the writer


Dory Jackson is a New York-based entertainment journalist from Maryland. She graduated from Randolph-Macon College—in May 2016—with a focus in Communication ... Read more

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