LOS ANGELES, July 15 (UPI) -- Los Angeles actor Doug Hutchison, 51, who married a 16-year-old girl in May, said he and his young bride originally met online and he did not know her age.
Hutchison, best known for his role as a prison guard in "The Green Mile," said he originally met Courtney Stodden, who is from Washington state, when she sent him an e-mail about acting workshops, ABC News reported Friday.
"She sent me an e-mail. And our exchange, at first, was just really about business," Hutchison said.
He said Stodden began flirting with him in their e-mail exchanges and he soon learned the woman who he believed to be well into her 20s due to her mature appearance was only 16.
Hutchison said he contacted Stodden's parents, Krista and Alex Stodden, when it appeared their correspondence was turning serious.
"I said, Krista, I don't know if you know this or not, but your daughter and I are falling in love. ... If you and (Alex) have any misgivings whatsoever about this ... I will respect you, and Courtney will respect you. And we will step back," Hutchison said.
Hutchison said it was Krista Stodden's idea for the pair to get married.
The couple said they are considering a reality show deal and Hutchison is working on a series of children's books based on the life of his Chihuahua.
