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‘Seinfeld’ Star Jason Alexander Apologizes to Courtney Stodden for Filming ‘Inappropriate’ Sketch When She Was a Minor: ‘I Truly Regret It’
"Seinfeld" actor Jason Alexander has apologised to reality TV personality Courtney Stodden after she publicly called him out over an "inappropriate" comedy sketch the pair filmed together in 2012, when Stodden was 17. The sketch, made for Funny or Die, parodied "Dr. Phil"-style talk shows and involved Alexander rubbing a phone against Stodden's breasts while making sexualised remarks, including a joke about wanting to "have his way" with her once she turned 18. Stodden resurfaced the footage on Instagram, saying it has become harder, not easier, to process as an adult, and questioning how so many adults involved in the production allowed it to happen.
In a statement to TMZ, Alexander said he "completely agreed" the sketch was inappropriate and was "deeply sorry for any harm or distress" caused, adding he "truly regrets it". Stodden, who was legally unable to consent to the shoot as a minor, is now campaigning for California's AB1267 bill, which would raise the state's minimum marriage age to 18; she herself married actor Doug Hutchison, then 51, in 2011 aged 16. Variety said it had contacted Alexander's representatives for further comment.
In short
- Jason Alexander apologises over 2012 sketch made when Courtney Stodden was 17
- Stodden says sketch sexualised her body; questions adults' conduct at the time
- Stodden campaigns for California bill AB1267 to ban marriage under 18
Explained simply
In 2012, actor Jason Alexander and reality TV personality Courtney Stodden filmed a comedy sketch for the website Funny or Die. Stodden was 17 at the time, and the sketch included sexualised jokes and physical contact.
Stodden later said the footage has been difficult to revisit as an adult and questioned why adults involved in making it allowed it to go ahead. The story also connects to her campaign for California’s AB1267 bill, which would set 18 as the minimum age for marriage in the state; Stodden married actor Doug Hutchison when she was 16.
The case raises questions about how young people are treated in entertainment, and about the safeguards adults and productions use when minors take part in sexualised material.