Seinfeld star Jason Alexander, aged 66, has issued a public apology to reality TV personality Courtney Stodden, aged 31, following her Instagram post calling him out for a controversial comedy sketch they both participated in when she was a minor.
Stodden revealed that she was 17 years old during the filming of the Funny or Die sketch, a parody of daytime talk shows like Dr. Phil. The sketch featured Alexander using his cellphone on Stodden’s chest, claiming it had a better signal there.
In a recent social media post, Stodden shared a screenshot of the 2012 sketch, expressing her disbelief at the situation. She recounted how Alexander repeatedly used his phone on her chest, making inappropriate comments about her turning 18 and his intentions.
Stodden also pointed out that Alexander was credited as one of the writers for the sketch on IMDB, a detail that she finds troubling. She emphasized that looking back, she no longer sees the humor in the situation but rather a young girl being objectified for adult amusement.
Following Stodden’s revelations, Alexander publicly apologized to her through statements released to various media outlets. He acknowledged the inappropriateness of the sketch and expressed genuine regret for any distress caused to Stodden, offering his sincere apologies.
Stodden gained widespread attention in 2011 for marrying actor Doug Hutchison at the age of 16, who was 51 at the time. The couple later divorced in 2020. Since then, Stodden has focused on advocating against child marriage and the exploitation of minors in the entertainment industry.
Reflecting on her experiences, Stodden emphasized the importance of laws protecting children from such situations, stressing that minors should not have to wait until adulthood to realize the need for legal safeguards.