Jason Alexander apologises to Courtney Stodden for inappropriate 2012 sketch

Jason Alexander apologises to Courtney Stodden for inappropriate 2012 sketch

Jason Alexander, the actor known for his role as George Costanza in Seinfeld, has issued an apology to media personality Courtney Stodden regarding a comedy sketch they filmed together in 2012.

The sketch, produced for Funny or Die, parodied daytime talk shows like Dr Phil. In the clip, Alexander portrayed a daytime TV doctor. During the scene, Alexander rubbed a mobile phone on the breasts of Stodden, who was 17 at the time, claiming there was no signal in her head but plenty of signal in her chest.

Stodden, now 31, reposted the clip earlier this week and questioned the nature of the production. She detailed how Alexander later joked in the sketch that once she turned 18, he would like to take her behind the couch and have his way with her.

Writing on Instagram, Stodden said: Looking back now, I don’t see comedy. I see a 17-year-old girl whose body became part of an adult joke.

Stodden highlighted that Alexander was 52 at the time and was credited as one of the writers of the episode. She noted that as a minor, she lacked the legal power to decide if she wanted to participate, stating that adults signed the contracts and the paycheck was sent to Doug Hutchison. Stodden described feeling so alone as the only child in the room.

In statements issued to Variety and TMZ, Alexander admitted the content was wrong.

"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, via Variety/TMZ

Stodden told the Hollywood Reporter that she appreciated the public apology but clarified that Alexander has not apologized to her privately. She suggested that meaningful action would be more powerful than a private apology.

Stodden invited Alexander to support the non-profit Unchained At Last and the fight to end child marriage via AB 1267, stating this is how to turn accountability into lasting change.

The call for action follows Stodden's own history with child marriage. In 2011, at the age of 16, she married actor Doug Hutchison, who was 51. The marriage was legal due to parental permission, though the couple divorced in 2020. Stodden is currently campaigning for California to pass a bill that would set the legal minimum marriage age at 18 years old.

According to reportage, marrying at 16 or 17 remains legal in 33 US states if there is a judicial waiver or parental consent. Until 2018, such marriages were legal in every state.

Stodden has spent recent years using social media to address how she was sexualized by the media and calling out those who participated in comedy that mocked her. She has previously appeared on several reality programs, including Celebrity Big Brother, Couples Therapy, Celebs Go Dating, and Reality Ex-Wives.

Alexander has a career spanning several major productions beyond Seinfeld, including ER, Shallow Hal, and Pretty Woman.