‘Seinfeld’ star apologizes for actions with underage actress: ‘I truly regret it’

“Seinfeld” star Jason Alexander has responded after he was accused of acting inappropriately toward Courtney Stodden in a 2012 Funny or Die sketch.

Stodden was 17 at the time, and the sketch featured Alexander holding a phone up to her breasts and joking that he would have his way with her when she turned 18.

“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,” Alexander told TMZ. “But more importantly, I am deeply sorry for any harm or distress it has caused Ms. Stodden. I offer my sincerest apologies.”

This came after Stodden ripped Alexander and the sketch on social media this week.

Alexander, who played George Costanza on “Seinfeld,” plays the part of life coach Donny Clay, who hosts a show similar to that of Dr. Phil, in the sketch. Stodden shared a photo from the sketch that showed Alexander holding his phone up to her breasts.

“I was 17 years old in this photo,” she wrote on Instagram. “The older I get, the more impossible this is to understand. During this comedy sketch, Jason Alexander repeatedly rubbed his phone across my breasts while saying there was ‘no signal’ in my head but ‘plenty of signal’ in my chest. Later in the sketch, he joked that when I turned 18 he’d like to take me behind the couch and ‘have his way’ with me. IMDb credits him as one of the writers of the episode. As an adult, that fact has become harder — not easier — for me to understand. 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.”

Stodden was not through.

“Looking back now, I don’t see the comedy,” she continued. “I see a 17-year-old girl whose body became part of an adult joke. 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? That’s exactly why I speak out today. Children deserve laws that protect them. They shouldn’t have to become adults before realizing the law should have protected them all along.”

Stodden received plenty of support.

“It’s very disturbing that they not only wrote this sketch, but allowed it to air,” one person replied. “What was wrong with the audience members at the time that probably laughed along with it? Viewers at home? No one got the ick watching this thinking over the implications of it?”

“A vulnerable child exploited and preyed upon by adults instead of protected,” another wrote. “You’re an amazing person to have the strength and fight within you to advocate for so many victims and to protect other children. You’re a warrior.”