Since the crime series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story premiered on September 19, 2024, actor Cooper Koch has become a hot topic of conversation.
Key Takeaways
- After the release of the crime series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, people have become interested in Cooper Koch.
- His character, Erik, along with his sibling, m*rders their parents in the series.
- However, Cooper’s relationship with his parents in real life is completely different.
Cooper Koch, born on July 16, 1996, is an American actor known for his roles in a variety of films, particularly in the horror and queer genres.
He gained recognition for his performances in LGBTQIA+ themed projects like They/Them, Swallowed and A New York Christmas Wedding.
However, this time, Cooper isn’t making headlines for his LGBTQIA+-themed projects.
Instead, it’s his role in the series Monsters that has sparked curiosity, with many now interested in learning more about his parents.
The Actual Reason To Spark The Curiosity
The crime series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story intricately explores the chilling case of the Menendez brothers.
In this gripping narrative, Cooper takes on the role of Erik Menendez, the younger one of the infamous-duo.
Together with his sibling, he was ultimately convicted for the shocking m*rders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez.
The brothers assert that their actions were in self-defense, citing years of psychological, emotional, and s*xual abuse inflicted by their father.
However, this reel-life relationship of Cooper with his parents has led people to dig deeper into his actual parents and his relationship with them.
Cooper Koch’s Real-Life Parents
Cooper Koch is the son of Billy Koch, a visual effects editor known for his work on films like Jerry Maguire and Space Jam.
Although nothing much about her mother is found, it’s fascinating that Cooper comes from a family deeply rooted in the film industry.
His grandfather, Hawk Koch, once led both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Producers Guild, shaping Hollywood’s creative landscape.
Pioneering the family legacy, Cooper’s great-grandfather, Howard W. Koch, was a renowned producer and director with notable credits, including The Manchurian Candidate and Airplane II: The Sequel.
However, Cooper’s reel-life relationship with his parents is quite opposite to his real-life one.
In an interview with The Wrap, Cooper opened up about his experience while playing the character of the convicted m*rderer.
“I looked at videos of me when I was really young, and I watched how my parents treated me, which gave me a level of gratitude for my family and my parents.”
Via The Wrap
Evidently, Cooper’s genuine appreciation for his parents in real life is completely in contrast with the troubled relationship of the character Erik that he portrays.
Also, this personal insight highlights the sharp difference between his on-screen role and the supportive environment he experienced in real life.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In 1989, Erik was 21, and his brother Lyle was 18 when they mu*dered their parents.
- Both brothers were convicted and are still serving life sentences in prison.
- Cooper has a twin brother, Payton Koch, who is an Emmy-nominated Picture Editor.
