Born on July 16, 1996, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, Cooper Koch is quickly gaining recognition for his breakout role as Erik Menendez in the Netflix hit ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.’ The show is a part of Ryan Murphy’s anthology series, which has been subject to both criticism and acclaim. Interestingly, the 28-year-old is three years older than Nicholas Chavez, who plays his elder brother Lyle in the show.
Despite ‘Monsters’ being a significant stepping stone in his career, Cooper’s family is already deeply rooted in Hollywood. His father, Billy Koch, is involved in the film industry, specifically in the visual effects department. His grandfather, Hawk Koch, is a producer, and his great-grandfather was the renowned film producer and director, Howard W. Koch.
Koch has a twin brother, Payton Koch, who is also a part of the television industry but works behind the camera. As an Emmy-nominated film editor, Payton has collaborated on numerous Ryan Murphy shows. His other brother Walter, on the other hand, is a musician. (UPDATE: Cooper Koch confirms he has a boyfriend.)
‘Monsters’ Star Cooper Koch Is Neither Married Nor Dating, At least Publicly
Despite his growing fame, there’s very little we know about Cooper Koch’s romantic life. He remains incredibly private, especially when it comes to his relationships and dating affairs. In fact, there have been no public links to any romantic partners. So, the best guess is he’s either seeing someone in secret or he’s yet to find that special someone.
Some fans think the reason the 28-year-old might be low-key about his dating life is because of the fact that he’s not straight. Koch, though, has been open about his sexual orientation, sharing the challenges and experiences of being a gay actor in Hollywood.
In a 2023 interview with EDGE, he discussed his initial fears about being openly gay in the entertainment industry, expressing concern about being taken seriously or being cast in roles. Cooper later chose to lead the path of self-acceptance after his experiences in acting school that helped him embrace his identity. He eventually understood that being true to himself is something that was crucial for his craft.
Prior to his role in ‘Monsters,’ Koch appeared in several other projects including ‘Power Book II: Ghost,’ (2020) and ‘A New York Christmas Wedding’ (2020). He has also starred in the independent body-horror thriller ‘Swallowed’ (2022). However, he is probably best recognized for his performance in Peacock’s 2022 queer slasher film ‘They/Them,’ featuring a predominantly LGBTQ+ cast. The California native shared his appreciation for being involved in a production that values authentic representation, stressing how crucial it is to tell diverse stories to raise awareness and visibility in the community.
Cooper Koch couldn’t be more grateful for his opportunities to portray queer characters, but he does not wish to be typecast solely in LGBTQ+ roles. He carries a strong desire to portray different types of characters, irrespective of their gender identity, to avoid being pigeonholed as a gay star.
Despite several acting credits to his name, Koch has faced challenges in his career, including being told by an acting coach he wasn’t getting roles due to having a “gay voice.” His LGBTQ+ identity has unquestionably invited numerous obstacles, but he remains resilient and refuses to tolerate any form of discrimination or bias. He has made it clear that he prefers to work with people who accept him for who he is, rather than conforming to industry pressures.
On a relationship front, Cooper Koch is not yet married despite online queries about his husband on search engines like Google. If this rising star does indeed tie the knot in the near future, he’ll likely feel no hesitation to reveal his partner to the world.
Inside the Mind of a Monster: Cooper Koch’s Transformation Into Erik Menendez
The latest Netflix spectacle ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ explores the lives of the Menendez brothers, who brutally murdered their parents in 1989 and played a rather odd song at their funeral. In the subsequent trial in 1996, the brothers defended their actions by claiming they feared for their lives and were victims of the alleged sexual abuse from their parents.
To play the role of Erik Menendez in this true-crime series, Cooper Koch fully committed himself and turned his trailer into a replica of his character’s room. He studied videos of Erik as a child and listened to music that he likely enjoyed. The 28-year-old told The Wrap:
I turned my trailer into Erik’s room so I had clothes everywhere, and I had pictures of him on the wall, pictures of me too. 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. I listened to [Erik] and watched him religiously. And I had my music, I had all different kinds of journals, all different kinds of things to help me really feel like him and be him.
Koch’s portrayal of Erik, the younger of the Menendez brothers, has been praised by critics and fans alike. Although the actor is not active on any social media platform, including Instagram and Twitter, his brother Payton often shares posts about Cooper on his IG. He most recently shared a tribute celebrating Koch’s success in his latest show.
‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ is currently streaming on Netflix.
