Courtney-Thorne Smith Recalls Pushing Back Against Wearing 'Sexy' Lingerie in a Movie at 17: You're 'Being a Baby'

Mar. 15, 2025

Courtney Thorne-Smith on February 09, 2019 in Pasadena, California.Photo:Rachel Luna/Getty

Rachel Luna/Getty

Courtney-Thorne Smithis recalling a particularly difficult moment on a movie set when she was a young actress.

TheMelrose Placealum, 56, explained to her former costarsDaphne ZunigaandLaura Leightonon the Sunday, Sept. 22 episode of the trio’s podcastStill the Placethat early in her career, she had an inappropriate encounter with a director.

“One of my first movies, I was 17 years old, and I was in Tahoe. And the storyline was, I was 17, and I was playing against this guy who was in his late thirties,” Thorne-Smith said. “We did sleep together in the script, and I wore one of his button-down shirts afterward.”

“Then I said, ‘The way it’s cut, something will show,’” she recalled. “And I also had this mindset of I’m 17 with an [older] man. Like I knew it was kind of off, but the shirt made it feel alright.”

Courtney Thorne-Smith on July 26, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California.Phillip Faraone/WireImage

Phillip Faraone/WireImage

She claimed that production was putting “pressure” on her and was “furious” because she did ultimately wear the original scripted costume of the man’s shirt.

As Thorne-Smith continued, she alleged that the producer “lied about the crew.” She said, “Every single member of the crew came up and said, ‘Good for you,’” adding, “Thank god they had my back.”

“I’m so grateful I had that ability to stand up for myself at that age,” she concluded. “I’m amazed, actually. I had that ability at that age.”

Thorne-Smith’s first movie credits include the 1986 cult classicLucas, which also starredWinona Ryder,Charlie Sheen, andCorey Haim, as well as the dramedyWelcome to 18, which featuredMariska Hargitay. On the small screen, she appeared onAccording to JimandAlly McBeal.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

New episodes ofStill the Placepodcast drop every Sunday.

source: people.com