Actor Jason Alexander has issued a public apology to Courtney Stodden for a lewd 2012 Funny or Die comedy sketch filmed when Stodden was 17. Stodden called out the Seinfeld alum over the video, which featured Alexander rubbing a cell phone across her chest, sparking fresh advocacy against child marriage.
The controversy centers on a 2012 video produced by the Funny or Die media company that parodied daytime talk shows like Dr. Phil. In the sketch, Alexander played a fictional life coach named Donny Clay interviewing Stodden and her then-husband Doug Hutchison.
At another point in the skit, Alexander’s character joked that he would take Stodden behind the couch and have at you in a number of ways
once she turned 18. Stodden was 17 years old at the time of filming.
Courtney Stodden’s Public Callout and Legal Realities at Age 17
Stodden first drew international attention in 2011 after marrying 51-year-old actor Doug Hutchison when she was just 16 years old. Their marriage, which ended in divorce in March 2020, placed Stodden into the public eye under intense media scrutiny. On July 20, Stodden took to Instagram to revisit the Funny or Die sketch, sharing a still image of Alexander touching her breast while she wore a bikini.
“I was a minor. I didn’t have the legal power to decide whether I wanted to participate. The contracts were signed by adults. The paycheck went to Doug. The production moved forward. I was the only child in the room. I felt so alone.”
Courtney Stodden, via Nbcnews
She expressed disbelief that adults around her considered the production acceptable given her age. In her social media statements, she pushed back against critics who claimed she willingly participated in the project, emphasizing her legal status as a minor.
Jason Alexander’s Apology and Statement to the Media
Following Stodden’s public statements, Alexander released a direct apology addressing his involvement in the 2012 video. According to Variety, the actor, who was 52 at the time of filming, expressed clear regret for his actions.
“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, via Nbcnews
Stodden told Variety that she was pleasantly surprised by Alexander’s accountability, noting that it is rare for adults from her past to take responsibility. However, she noted that apologies are only a starting point for deeper cultural and legislative change.
Advocacy Work and the Fight to End Child Marriage in California
Rather than focusing solely on past grievances, Stodden has directed her public profile toward systemic reform. Since ending her marriage to Hutchison, she has become an outspoken advocate against allowing anyone under 18 to receive a marriage license, partnering with Unchained at Last, described by Variety as the sole nonprofit in the United States dedicated to eradicating child marriage.
Stodden is actively urging lawmakers to support AB 1267 in California, a bill designed to establish 18 as the mandatory minimum age for marriage in the state. She expressed shock that California currently lacks a definitive minimum age requirement, placing it among a very small group of states without absolute protections for minors.
Stodden and fellow survivors affiliated with Unchained at Last plan to visit the California State Capitol next month to press legislators on the bill. Reflecting on her ongoing advocacy, Stodden emphasized her long-term goals.
“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.”
Courtney Stodden, via Variety
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