Model and advocate Courtney Stodden publicly thanked actor Jason Alexander after he issued an apology and made a $15,000 nonprofit donation regarding an inappropriate 2012 comedy sketch. Stodden is now urging the Seinfeld
star to support California Assembly Bill 1267, legislation that aims to ban child marriage in the state.
Jason Alexander’s Apology and Nonprofit Donation
Model and media personality Courtney Stodden addressed an apology and a $15,000 financial contribution from actor Jason Alexander, Pagesix reported. The reconciliation follows intense public criticism from Stodden regarding a 2012 Funny or Die
sketch they filmed together when Stodden was 17 and Alexander was 52. In the segment, Alexander’s character rubs a mobile phone across Stodden’s chest while making suggestive remarks.
Alexander, who is credited as one of the sketch’s writers, issued a public statement addressing the controversy.
“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. I offer her my sincerest apologies.”
Jason Alexander, actor
Following the public apology, Alexander donated $15,000 to Unchained At Last, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending forced and child marriage in the United States, according to reporting by Pagesix. Stodden expressed her appreciation for the gesture via Instagram, noting that she was grateful to learn about the contribution.
Stodden’s Advocacy and the California Child Marriage Bill
While Stodden acknowledged the apology and the donation, she emphasized that true accountability requires systemic change. She subsequently challenged the actor to back Assembly Bill 1267, a legislative measure moving through the California legislature that seeks to establish an outright minimum marriage age of 18.
The bill is authored by Assemblymembers Diane Dixon, Gail Pellerin, Cottie Petrie-Norris, and Sharon Quirk-Silva. Census indicates that more than 8,000 children in California, predominantly girls, reported being married within the preceding year.
Reflecting on Past Underage Marriage and Industry Standards
Stodden’s renewed advocacy builds on years of public speaking regarding her own marriage at age 16 to then 51-year-old actor Doug Hutchison in 2011, a union that was legally permitted at the time with parental consent and lasted until their 2020 divorce. Reflecting on both her marriage and the 2012 video sketch, Stodden highlighted the vulnerability of minors in entertainment environments.
Children deserve laws that protect them.
They shouldn’t have to become adults before realizing the law should have protected them all along.
Stodden noted that she hopes Alexander’s actions will set a higher standard for accountability and inspire broader public support for protective legislation.
