'Seinfeld' star Jason Alexander issues apology to Courtney Stodden: 'It was inappropriate'

Seinfeld star Jason Alexander has issued a public apology to reality television personality Courtney Stodden after a resurfaced 2012 comedy sketch prompted criticism over its treatment of the then-17-year-old.

The sketch which was produced for Funny or Die parodied daytime talk shows and featured Alexander making a series of jokes involving Stodden including rubbing a mobile phone across her chest while claiming there was "no signal" in her head but "plenty of signal" elsewhere. Another joke referenced waiting until she turned 18.

Earlier this week Stodden reposted clips from the sketch on Instagram saying she no longer viewed it as comedy.

"The older I get, the more impossible this is to understand," she wrote adding that she was "the only child in the room" and felt isolated during filming.

"I was a minor. I didn't have the legal power to decide whether I wanted to participate," she said questioning how so many adults considered the material acceptable.

Following the renewed attention Alexander released a statement acknowledging the sketch was inappropriate.

"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," he said.

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

Stodden later told The Hollywood Reporter that she appreciated the public apology but noted Alexander had not contacted her privately.

"A private apology would be meaningful, but meaningful action would be even more powerful," she said encouraging the actor to support Unchained At Last an organisation campaigning to end child marriage through California's proposed AB 1267 legislation.