Actor Jason Alexander has issued a public apology to Courtney Stodden for his role in a 2012 Funny or Die comedy sketch. Stodden, who was 17 at the time, publicly criticized the segment, citing instances of objectification and noting that she lacked the legal power to consent to the material as a minor.
Alexander’s Apology Regarding the 2012 Sketch
Jason Alexander, the 66-year-old actor known for his role on Seinfeld, addressed the controversy following renewed public attention on a sketch he wrote and performed in 2012. In a statement provided to media outlets, Alexander expressed regret for his participation.
“Looking back at the comedy sketch in which Ms. Stodden and I participated in 2012, I completely agree that it was inappropriate and I truly regret it. But more importantly, I am deeply sorry for any harm or distress it has caused Ms. Stodden. I offer her my sincerest apologies.”
Jason Alexander, Actor
Stodden’s Account of the Filming Environment
Courtney Stodden, now 31, brought the sketch back into the spotlight through an Instagram post detailing her experiences on the set. She described the production as a situation where she felt isolated and powerless.
According to Stodden, the sketch featured Alexander rubbing a mobile phone across her chest while making jokes about “no signalin her head but
plenty of signalin her chest. She further alleged that Alexander included a line suggesting he would like to
have his way” with her once she turned 18. Stodden noted that she was the only child present during the shoot, and that the financial proceeds from her appearance were paid directly to her then-husband, Doug Hutchison.
“I was the only child in the room. I felt so alone. Looking back now, I don’t see comedy. I see a 17-year-old girl whose body became part of an adult joke. People still say, ‘You chose to be there.’ Legally, I couldn’t make those decisions for myself. That’s the point.”
Courtney Stodden
Legal and Personal Context of the Marriage
The 2012 sketch occurred during Stodden’s marriage to Hutchison, a relationship that has been a central focus of her advocacy work in recent years. Stodden and Hutchison married in 2011 when she was 16 and he was 51. The couple experienced several separations before officially divorcing in March 2020.
Stodden has frequently spoken about the emotional impact of that period, describing the marriage as a time when she felt manipulated and groomed. She has since pivoted toward legislative advocacy, specifically supporting California Assembly Bill 1267, which seeks to establish 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage without exceptions.
Broader Criticisms of Celebrity Culture
This incident is part of a wider pattern of Stodden holding public figures accountable for their past interactions with her as a minor. Last month, she publicly criticized television personality Dr. Drew Pinsky, alleging that he required her to undergo a breast examination on his program when she was 16 to verify if her implants were real.
In her most recent post, Stodden questioned how the adult professionals involved in these productions viewed their actions as acceptable. She emphasized that her goal in speaking out is to highlight the necessity of stronger legal protections for minors.
Legislative Advocacy and Future Outlook
Stodden continues to maintain that children in the spotlight require legal safeguards that prevent them from being placed in compromising professional situations. By connecting her personal history to the push for legislative reform, she aims to ensure that future minors do not face the same circumstances she describes.
While Alexander has acknowledged the incident and offered an apology, Stodden’s public discourse remains focused on the structural failures that allowed such interactions to occur. As of this week, there have been no further statements from the production team involved in the 2012 sketch, and Stodden continues her work as an advocate for child protection laws.
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