Jason Alexander donation follows Courtney Stodden apology over 2012 sketch
TMZ says Jason Alexander gave to Unchained At Last after Courtney Stodden criticized a 2012 Funny or Die sketch filmed when she was 17.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
The Jason Alexander donation story now has a dollar figure attached: TMZ reports the “Seinfeld” actor gave $15,000 to Unchained At Last after Courtney Stodden publicly criticized a 2012 “Funny or Die” sketch they appeared in together.
TMZ attributed the amount to its sources. A representative for Alexander confirmed to the outlet that the actor made a donation, while declining to discuss the specific sum TMZ reported.
The move followed Alexander’s apology to Stodden over the old comedy segment. TMZ previously reported that Stodden accepted the apology after calling out the sketch, which was filmed when Stodden was 17.
Why did Jason Alexander donate to Unchained At Last?
Stodden had suggested that Alexander apologize and donate to Unchained At Last, according to TMZ. The group works to end child marriage in the United States, and TMZ described Stodden as a major supporter of that mission.
Unchained At Last is an advocacy organization focused on changing laws around child marriage. The issue is personal for Stodden, who was legally married at 16 to actor Doug Hutchison, then 51, according to TMZ.
Stodden recently revisited the 2012 sketch in an Instagram post, writing that she was 17 in a photo from the production and describing the segment as sexualized. In the post, she said Alexander rubbed a phone across her breasts during the sketch and made a joke about what he would want to do when she turned 18.
Stodden also wrote that IMDb credits Alexander as one of the episode’s writers. She said that, as an adult, she finds that fact harder to process, adding that she was a minor at the time and that adults signed the contracts.
In the same post, Stodden tied the episode to her advocacy, using hashtags including “EndChildMarriage” and “PassAB1267.” She wrote that children need laws that protect them and said minors should not have to reach adulthood before understanding that the law should have protected them.
What brought the old sketch back up?
TMZ reported that Stodden said she was triggered after recently watching “Pretty Woman,” the Julia Roberts film in which Alexander plays a predatory character. Stodden said the movie brought her back to the 2012 sketch and the feelings attached to it, according to TMZ.
The outlet described the sketch as sexually charged and noted that Stodden was 17 when it was made. Stodden’s Instagram post said she now sees the moment as an adult joke built around the body of a minor.
TMZ said it contacted Stodden and Unchained At Last for comment after learning of the donation, but had not received responses. Alexander’s representative confirmed only that a donation had been made.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.