Seinfeld star Jason Alexander, aged 66, has issued a public apology to reality TV personality Courtney Stodden, aged 31, following her Instagram post where she confronted him about a controversial comedy sketch they both participated in when she was underage.
Stodden revealed that she was 17 years old during the filming of the Funny or Die sketch with Alexander, which spoofed daytime talk shows like Dr. Phil. The sketch depicted Alexander sliding his cellphone across Stodden’s chest, citing it as the area with the strongest signal.
Sharing a screenshot of the 2012 sketch on Monday, Stodden expressed her bewilderment, stating, “The older I get, the more incomprehensible this becomes.” She detailed how Alexander repeatedly ran his phone over her breasts, making suggestive comments about her turning 18 and him taking advantage of her.
Stodden also pointed out that Alexander was credited as one of the writers of the episode on IMDB, a fact that she finds increasingly troubling. Reflecting on the incident, she emphasized feeling objectified as a minor in what should have been a comedic setting.
In response to the backlash, Alexander publicly apologized to Stodden in a statement to various U.S. media outlets, acknowledging the inappropriateness of their past collaboration and expressing deep regret for any distress caused to Stodden.
Stodden gained widespread attention in 2011 for marrying actor Doug Hutchison, who was 51 while she was 16. Following their divorce in 2020, she has actively campaigned against child marriage and the exploitation of minors in the entertainment industry, emphasizing the need for protective laws for children.
