Russell Brand has joked he doesn't know who Katy Perry is.

The 39-year-old actor made the playful remark about his former wife during a television appearance in which he spoke to children about who their ideal Thanksgiving dinner guests would be, with one girl naming the 'This Is How We Do' singer as the person she'd most like to join for the festive meal.

Responding to the choice, the comedian said: ''Katy Perry? I don't know who that is.''

Later in the clip, Russell referred to the incident again, jokingly calling the comment ''hurtful.''

He said: ''Thanks to these genuine Americans, I Russell Brand, an Englishman - and the hurtful mention of my ex-wife - I Russell Brand now have a much better understanding of Thanksgiving traditions.''

In the segment on 'Live! With Kelly and Michael', the 'Despicable Me 2' star also teased another child who suggested 'Love Me Harder' hitmaker Ariana Grande would be their guest of choice.

When challenged as to who the singer is, he said: ''I know who Ariana Grande is! Ariana Grande was the first pilgrim who invented Thanksgiving, yes he was. And Ariana Grande, he travelled in from Boston, he strangled a turkey, and that's how Thanksgiving was invented.''

Russell and Katy were married for just 14 months before splitting in December 2011, but in an interview last month, the actor explained he has fond memories of the time they spent together.

Speaking on the Today Show, he said: ''I really enjoyed it [our marriage]. Katy Perry is an amazing person.''