Trigger warning: This article contains references to child marriage.

'Seinfeld' star Jason Alexander has publicly apologised to media personality Courtney Stodden over remarks made during a 2012 comedy sketch, following renewed criticism of the skit on social media.

The apology came after Stodden shared a photograph from the sketch on Instagram, questioning how adults involved in the production allowed a minor to be portrayed in such a manner.

Why did Jason Alexander apologise to Courtney Stodden?

On Monday, Courtney Stodden revisited the 2012 Funny or Die sketch and reflected on her experience as a 17-year-old.

Sharing an image from the programme, she wrote: "Looking back now, I don't see comedy. I see a 17-year-old girl whose body became part of an adult joke."

She continued: "People still say, 'You chose to be there.' Legally, I couldn't make those decisions for myself. That's the point. I can't change what happened to me, but I can ask myself: how did so many adults look at a minor and decide this was acceptable?"

Stodden also said that, as a minor, she had no legal authority to make key decisions herself.

Courtney Stodden speaks about child marriage

In her statement, Stodden said the contracts connected to her work at the time were signed by adults and that the money she earned went to her then-husband, actor Doug Hutchison, who was 51 when they married.

Calling for stronger legal protections for children, she wrote: "That's exactly why I speak out today. Children deserve laws that protect them. They shouldn't have to become adults before realising the law should have protected them all along."

Stodden has become an outspoken advocate against child marriage since separating from Hutchison.

Jason Alexander issues apology over 2012 sketch

Following online backlash, Jason Alexander released a statement expressing regret over the sketch and its impact.

He 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 importantly, I am deeply sorry for any harm or distress it has caused Ms Stodden. I offer her my sincerest apologies."

Alexander was credited as one of the writers of the sketch and also appeared in it.

What happened in the 2012 Funny or Die sketch?

The sketch, titled 'The Donny Clay Show with Courtney Stodden', was released by Funny or Die in 2012, when Stodden was 17.

Alexander played a fictional daytime television doctor interviewing Stodden and her then-husband Doug Hutchison.

During the sketch, Alexander made several sexually suggestive remarks towards Stodden, including placing his phone on her chest and making a joke about getting "plenty of signal". He later repeated the gesture on her forehead before making another crude comment during the interview.

The sketch has since faced renewed scrutiny after Stodden's recent social media post.

Courtney Stodden's advocacy after divorce

Courtney Stodden and Doug Hutchison divorced in 2020 after years of public attention surrounding their relationship.

Since then, Stodden has used her platform to campaign for stronger child protection laws and to raise awareness about the long-term effects of child marriage and the exploitation of minors in the entertainment industry.

Inputs from agencies