Seinfeld star Jason Alexander, aged 66, has publicly expressed regret to reality personality Courtney Stodden, aged 31, following her Instagram call-out regarding a crass comedy skit they co-starred in when she was a minor.
Stodden revealed in her post that she was 17 years old during the filming of a Funny or Die sketch with Alexander that parodied daytime talk shows like Dr. Phil. The sketch involved Alexander sliding his cellphone across Stodden’s chest, joking that it was the only area with a good signal.
On Monday, Stodden shared a screenshot of the 2012 sketch, expressing her growing bewilderment over the incident. She detailed how Alexander repeatedly passed his phone over her chest, making inappropriate remarks about her turning 18 and his intentions towards her.
Additionally, Stodden highlighted that Alexander was credited as one of the writers of the sketch on IMDB, a revelation she finds increasingly perplexing. She reflected on her discomfort, emphasizing that she was a minor at the time and could not legally make decisions for herself.
In response, Alexander issued an apology to Stodden on Tuesday, acknowledging the inappropriateness of their past collaboration. He expressed deep remorse for any distress caused to Stodden, denouncing the sketch as inappropriate and expressing regret for his participation.
Stodden, known for her controversial marriage to actor Doug Hutchison at 16, which ended in divorce in 2020, has since advocated for the protection of minors in the entertainment industry and the eradication of child marriage. She emphasized the importance of legal safeguards for children and the need to prevent exploitation in the media.
Reflecting on her experiences, Stodden emphasized the necessity of advocating for laws that safeguard minors, underscoring the responsibility of adults to protect and uphold the rights of vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
