The actor's public apology comes as Stodden advocates for legislation to end child marriage in California
Category: Politics
Jason Alexander has publicly apologized to Courtney Stodden for his role in a controversial 2012 comedy sketch that sexualized her when she was just 17 years old. On July 22, 2026, the former "Seinfeld" star expressed his regret over the sketch, which featured him fondling Stodden's breasts with a cellphone and making inappropriate remarks about her age.
In his statement, Alexander said, "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 important, I am deeply sorry for any harm or distress it has caused Ms. Stodden. I offer her my sincerest apologies." This apology comes after Stodden shared her feelings of exploitation and loneliness in a social media post about the sketch.
The sketch, which aired on the now-defunct Funny or Die platform, depicted Alexander as a quack life coach who rubbed a cellphone against Stodden’s chest, joking about the phone's "signal" and later inviting her to return to his show when she turned 18. Stodden recounted her experience of filming the sketch, noting that she felt manipulated and alone, stating, "I was the only child in the room. I felt so alone." She emphasized that at the time, she did not have the legal power to make decisions about her participation.
Stodden, who gained media attention for marrying Hutchison, has become a vocal advocate against child marriage in the United States, which remains legal in 33 states with parental consent or a judicial waiver. In her Instagram post, she expressed her shock at how many adults allowed the sketch to occur, questioning, "How did so many adults look at a minor and decide this was acceptable?" Her advocacy has led her to support California bill AB 1267, which aims to raise the legal marriage age to 18.
Stodden's marriage to Hutchison in 2011 drew widespread media attention, particularly due to the age difference and the circumstances surrounding their union. The marriage was legal because Stodden's parents consented to it, highlighting a troubling aspect of child marriage laws in the U.S. The couple divorced in 2020, but Stodden has continued to speak out about her experiences and the exploitation she faced as a minor.
In the years since the sketch was filmed, Stodden has transitioned from being a figure of media ridicule to an advocate for change. She has aligned herself with organizations such as Unchained at Last, which focuses on ending child marriage and supporting survivors. Her efforts include lobbying for legislative changes that would protect minors from entering into marriages they are not mature enough to consent to.
Stodden's sentiments about the sketch have evolved over time. Initially, she participated in the filming without fully grasping the implications of the content. It was only later, upon reflection, that she recognized the sketch as a disturbing adult joke that exploited her youth. "Looking back now, I don’t see comedy. I see a 17-year-old girl whose body became part of an adult joke," she stated.
Following Alexander's apology, Stodden expressed appreciation but emphasized the need for meaningful action. "A private apology would be meaningful, but meaningful action would be even more powerful," she said. She urged Alexander to support Unchained at Last and the fight to end child marriage through AB 1267, framing it as an opportunity for accountability and change.
As part of her advocacy, Stodden plans to visit the California State Capitol next month to speak with legislators about the importance of passing AB 1267. She aims to raise awareness about the dangers of child marriage and to push for stronger protections for minors. "Children deserve laws that protect them. They shouldn’t have to become adults before realizing the law should have protected them all along," she asserted.
Stodden's commitment to this cause is also evident in her personal projects. She is currently working on her memoir and may participate in a docuseries chronicling her fight against child marriage. Stodden's goal is clear: she wants to be remembered for her efforts to prevent other children from experiencing the exploitation she endured, stating, "At the end of the day, I don’t want to be remembered for what happened to me. I want to be remembered for helping make sure that this doesn’t happen again to another child."