Jason Alexander Takes Responsibility for Past Mistakes
Jason Alexander has stepped forward to acknowledge his earlier actions. The 66-year-old actor has expressed regret for his comments regarding Courtney Stodden’s body during a Funny or Die skit in 2012, where he held a phone to her chest while she was still a minor.
In a statement, he said, “Reflecting on the comedy sketch I took part in alongside Mr. Stodden back in 2012, I recognize that it was inappropriate and I genuinely regret it. More importantly, we apologize deeply for the hurt and distress we’ve caused Ms. Stodden.”
This acknowledgment came shortly after Stodden shared her feelings on Instagram. Alexander added, “As an adult at the time, I struggled with grasping the implications of that situation, even more so as time passed.”
Goldie Hawn Voices Concerns About Child Celebrity Culture
In her post, Stodden included a sketch depiction showing her in a bikini while Alexander was rubbing his phone on her chest. She wrote, “I was only 17 at the time. As I get older, it feels increasingly difficult to comprehend this.” During the sketch, Alexander joked about her having “no signal” in her head but “a lot of signals” in her chest. He also insinuated that he wanted to take her away once she turned 18.
Stodden explained that as a minor, she didn’t legally have the capacity to consent to the situation, since an adult signed the contract for her. At that time, she was married to Doug Hutchison, who was 51, and he was compensated for her appearance.
“I felt entirely isolated on the set,” Stodden commented, reflecting on her experience. “It doesn’t feel like comedy looking back. I just see a 17-year-old girl who became part of an adult joke. People often say I chose to be there. But, legally, I couldn’t have made that decision myself. That’s the crux of the issue.”
She pondered, “Why did so many adults think this was okay?” and emphasized that while she can’t change her past, she feels compelled to advocate for protecting children. Stodden expressed that children should have legal protections that reflect their vulnerability.
Additionally, she urged support for California Assembly Bill 1267, which seeks to end child marriage by mandating that the minimum marriage age in California be set at 18 without exceptions.
Stodden’s marriage to Hutchison in 2011, despite their significant age gap, ultimately led to a tumultuous relationship. They officially divorced in 2020 after multiple separations. In announcing her divorce, she described it as an “emotional day,” stating she felt that things were moving positively.
Looking back at her experiences, she revealed feeling taken advantage of, admitting to fears of discussing her feelings of being groomed and verbally abused throughout their marriage. “Growing up in such an environment left me feeling isolated and lost,” she concluded.
