Jason Alexander Apologizes to Courtney Stodden Over 2012 Sketch When She Was 17

Q: Will California's latest bill finally succeed in completely outlawing child marriage?

Not yet. California’s latest effort, Assembly Bill 1267, appears to have strong momentum, but it has not finally outlawed child marriage unless it clears the remaining legislative steps and is signed into law. The bill would do what advocates such as Courtney Stodden want: set 18 as the minimum marriage age with no exceptions, replacing California’s current system that still allows minors to marry with parental consent and court approval. That matters because California has long been criticized for having no true statutory minimum age if those conditions are met. AB 1267 has advanced further than many past attempts. It passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously and drew support from survivor advocates and child-protection groups, with no reported opposition at that hearing. Supporters argue the measure would close a loophole that can enable coercion, abuse, trafficking, or the avoidance of accountability in statutory rape cases. Still, previous efforts to fully ban child marriage in California failed, including a push in 2024. That history is why advocates are cautious. Until AB 1267 passes the Senate, clears any final Assembly action if needed, and receives the governor’s signature, child marriage is not fully banned in the state. So the best answer is that California is closer than before, and this bill has a credible chance of succeeding, but it has not “finally” done so yet.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 21

Jason Alexander, 66, said he "completely agree[s]" the 2012 Funny or Die sketch with Courtney Stodden was inappropriate and apologized for any harm or distress it caused her.
Stodden had accused him a day earlier on Instagram of objectifying her at 17, saying he rubbed a phone across her chest and joked about wanting to "have his way" with her once she turned 18.
She said adults signed the contracts, the paycheck went to then-husband Doug Hutchison, and she felt isolated on set as "the only child in the room."
Stodden tied the episode to her broader campaign for California Assembly Bill 1267, which would set 18 as the minimum marriage age with no exceptions.