Seinfeld star Jason Alexander, aged 66, has issued a public apology to reality TV personality Courtney Stodden, aged 31, following her social media call-out regarding a controversial comedy sketch they both participated in when she was underage. Stodden revealed that she was 17 years old during the filming of a Funny or Die sketch with Alexander, which spoofed daytime talk shows like Dr. Phil.
The sketch depicted Alexander using his cellphone near Stodden’s chest, humorously citing better signal reception in that area. Stodden shared a screenshot of the sketch from 2012 on Monday, expressing her bewilderment over the incident. She recounted how Alexander made inappropriate jokes during the sketch, insinuating inappropriate behavior once she turned 18.
Stodden pointed out that Alexander was credited as one of the writers for the sketch on IMDB, a detail that she finds increasingly troubling. Reflecting on the past, she emphasized feeling objectified as a minor in what should have been a comedic setting, highlighting the lack of agency she had at the time.
In response, Alexander publicly apologized to Stodden on Tuesday, acknowledging the inappropriateness of their past collaboration. He expressed regret for any distress caused to Stodden and offered his sincerest apologies for his part in the sketch.
Stodden gained widespread attention in 2011 for marrying actor Doug Hutchison at 16, who was 51 years old at the time. Following their divorce in 2020, Stodden has been actively advocating against child marriage and the exploitation of minors in the entertainment industry. She stressed the importance of legal protections for children and the need to prevent such situations from occurring in the future.
