“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” star Cooper Koch may not have walked out of the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards with a gold statue, but that didn’t seem to be his goal in the first place.
While on the red carpet, Koch, who played Erik Menendez in the Ryan Murphy-created Netflix series, revealed to ET’s Kevin Frazier that Lyle had sent him a message earlier in the day.
It said: “For so many, what you brilliantly portrayed is their reality. The goal is not accolades. The goal is to bring awareness. We are stronger together. Love you, brother.”
Koch shared that he met Erik and Lyle a year ago and talk to them every once in a while. He also used his time in front of the cameras to reflect on how “it was very sad” that the brothers didn’t receive during their parole hearing.
However, he remained optimistic. “It’s very common for it not to go your way the first time and they will have another chance sooner rather or later. So I’m just continuing to keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best and send them lots of love, especally also their family and all their supporters too.”
When asked by Frazier if he was surprised that so many people took an interest in the case after the show was released, Koch said he “wasn’t necessarily surprised, but was ”just so happy” they did.
“That was always sort of my goal all along. I always wanted it to be more than just a show… like what Lyle said, bring awareness to this thing that happens in families, not even in families but to people.”
Koch was nominated for Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. When Frazier wished Koch good luck on his award, he responded. “Yeah, no I don’t need it. I’ve already won. I’ve already won a 1,000 times over.”
Later on that night, “Adolescence” star Stephen Graham won in the category. Out of the 11 nominations that “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” received, it took home one Emmy for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Coch’s co-stars Javier Bardem, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, and Chloë Sevigny, among others, were all in attendance at the Sept. 14 ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Last month, a California parole board denied parole for both Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were sentenced to life in prison for the 1989 murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.
Erik’s parole was denied due to a pattern of prison violations and a lack of demonstrated insight into the crime. Lyle, despite being recognized as a model inmate with strong rehabilitation efforts, was also denied release due to perceived signs of ongoing anti-social personality traits like deception and rule-breaking. The brothers can apply for parole again in three years.
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