Cooper Koch

  1. Home
  2. Wiki

Cooper Koch
Born
Cooper Joseph Koch

(1996-07-16) July 16, 1996 (age 29)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
EducationPace University (BFA)
OccupationActor
Years active2007–present
PartnerStuart McClave (2024–present)
MotherKathy Kaehler
Relatives

Cooper Joseph Koch (/ˈkɑːtʃ/; born July 16, 1996) is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Erik Menendez in the biographical crime drama series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024), which earned him nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

Koch previously starred in the slasher film They/Them (2022) and the body horror film Swallowed (2022), and is set to appear in Luca Guadagnino's upcoming biographical comedy drama film Artificial.

Early life and education

[edit]

Cooper Joseph Koch was born on July 16, 1996, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.[1] His father, Billy Koch, is from a Jewish Eastern European background; he is the founder and owner of the horse racing club Little Red Feather and previously worked in the film industry.[2][3] His mother, Kathy Kaehler, is a celebrity personal trainer.[4] He has a twin brother, Payton Koch, who is a film editor, and a younger brother, Walker, who is a musician.[5][6] His grandfather is film producer Hawk Koch, and his great-grandfather was film producer and director Howard W. Koch.[6][7][8] His great-granduncle was Charles Pincus, a California dentist known for inventing the dental veneer in 1928; Pincus was the brother of Koch's great-grandmother, Ruth Koch (née Pincus).[9] Koch is also related to businessman and Democratic politician Alan Blinken as his great-uncle by marriage; Blinken was married to Koch's great-aunt, Melinda Blinken (née Koch), until her death in 2021.[10][11]

Koch began acting in local theatre productions when he was five years old.[12] He later attended Calabasas High School, where he performed in various stage adaptations such as West Side Story and A Midsummer Night's Dream.[13][3] He was also a member of the school's a cappella group and orchestra, where he played the viola, as well as the boys' volleyball varsity team.[14] In May 2018, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting from Pace University.[6]

Career

[edit]

Koch made his on-screen debut with a background role in the 2007 film Fracture, which was produced by his grandfather, Hawk Koch.[6] In 2010, he appeared in the music video for "Ordinary Girl" by Miley Cyrus (performing as her character, Hannah Montana).[15] From 2017 to 2021, Koch primarily appeared in short films and stage productions. He had a guest role in the episode "Forty Candles" of the comedy series West 40s (2018),[16] and he was cast in Hulu's series adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis's novel Less than Zero, although the pilot was not picked up.[17][18] He later appeared in A New York Christmas Wedding (2020), playing Azrael Gabison, a guardian angel who shows a woman an alternate version of her life.[19] He also appeared in two episodes of the crime drama series Power Book II: Ghost.[20]

In 2022, Koch starred in Carter Smith's body horror film Swallowed,[21] which earned the Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 NewFest.[22] He portrayed Benjamin, an aspiring gay pornographic actor who is forced to smuggle drugs by swallowing them.[23] That same year, he starred in the Blumhouse Productions slasher film They/Them, playing Stu, a closeted gay jock who attends an LGBTQ conversion therapy camp.[24][25]

Koch first auditioned for the role of convicted murderer Erik Menendez in the NBC limited series Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders and the Lifetime television film Menendez: Blood Brothers (both 2017).[26] He later earned the part in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024), the second season of Netflix's true crime anthology series Monster.[27][28] His performance received critical acclaim, particularly in the fifth episode, "The Hurt Man", a 34-minute one-shot of Erik detailing the sexual abuse he suffered from his father.[28] Critics highlighted his portrayal as one of the season's standout performances,[29][30] and he received praise from Lyle and Erik Menendez.[1] The role earned him nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film.[31]

In October 2024, Koch signed with United Talent Agency for representation.[32] In November, he appeared in the short film Togetherness, as part of a campaign by fashion house Yves Saint Laurent.[33] In May 2025, he fronted Calvin Klein's summer campaign.[34][35]

In July 2025, Koch was cast in an undisclosed role in Luca Guadagnino's upcoming biographical film Artificial, based on the brief dismissal of Sam Altman as CEO of OpenAI.[36]

Koch's other brand collaborations and appearances include Tiffany & Co.,[37] Armani,[38][39] Ralph Lauren,[40] Montblanc,[41] Tod's,[42] and Schiaparelli.[43] He was formerly signed under Wilhelmina Models, where he modeled for Gap, Skechers, and Patagonia.[44][45]

Personal life

[edit]

Koch is gay and revealed that he previously struggled to get roles due to his sexuality and his "gay voice".[46] He has been in a relationship with filmmaker Stuart McClave since 2024.[47][48]

Filmography

[edit]
Key
† Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2007 Fracture Kid [6]
2017 Mine Cody Short film [49]
2018 Me Da La Lata Andreas Lousche [50]
The Latent Matthew
Decadeless Richard [16]
2019 Daddy Bellhop
2021 4 Floors Up The Stranger [50]
2022 Swallowed Benjamin [51]
They/Them Stu [25]
2024 Togetherness Himself Short film [33]
2026 Artificial † TBA Post-production [36]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2018 West 40s Boy on train Episode: "Forty Candles" [16]
2019 Less Than Zero Julian Unaired TV pilot [20]
2020 A New York Christmas Wedding Azrael Gabison TV Movie [6]
Power Book II: Ghost Chase 2 episodes [20]
2024 Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story Erik Menendez Lead role [27]

Theater

[edit]
Year Title Role Venue Ref.
2019 Head First Kyle Wild Project, Fresh Fruit Festival [52]

Music video

[edit]
Year Song Artist Role Ref.
2010 "Ordinary Girl" Hannah Montana Boy [15]
2015 "Reflection" Towkio [53]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2024 GQ Men of the Year Awards International Actor of the Year Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story Won [54]
2024 The Daily Californian's Arts Awards Best Actor in a Drama – Television Won [55]
2025 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated [31]
2025 Queerty Awards Best TV Performance Nominated [56]
2025 Dorian Awards Best TV Performance – Drama Nominated [57]
2025 Gold Derby TV Awards Best Limited/Movie Actor Nominated [58]
Breakthrough Performer of the Year Nominated
2025 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Nominated [59]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Murphy, Chris (October 10, 2024). "Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch Don't Think the Menendez Brothers Are 'Monsters'". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on October 10, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  2. ^ "Team Little Red Feather - Little Red Feather Racing ClubLittle Red Feather". Little Red Feather. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Nelson, Scott. "Hip Daddy Spotlight #5: Horse Racing Owner Billy Koch". Hip Daddy. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  4. ^ Nied, Michael (August 5, 2025). "Cooper Koch Says a Family Connection Led Him to Meet Stars Like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston Before He Started Acting". People. Archived from the original on August 13, 2025. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  5. ^ Minow, Nell (September 13, 2024). "Picking Apart the Pickwick Triplets With 'Only Murders in the Building' Emmy-Nom'd Editors Shelly Westerman and Payton Koch". Motion Picture Association. Archived from the original on October 17, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f LeGardye, Quinci (September 20, 2024). "Who is Cooper Koch? What to Know About the Actor Who Plays Erik in 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story'". Marie Claire. Archived from the original on October 1, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  7. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (July 31, 2012). "Academy Elects Hawk Koch as Its New President". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  8. ^ Hammond, Pete (November 14, 2019). "Hawk Koch On His New Memoir 'Magic Time': Stories From A Life In The Movie Business And Escaping The Shadow Of His Father's Hollywood Legacy". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  9. ^ "Dr. Charles L. Pincus, 82; Pioneer in Cosmetic Dentistry". Los Angeles Times. September 6, 1986. Archived from the original on June 22, 2025. Retrieved November 27, 2025.
  10. ^ Dutka, Elaine (February 17, 2001). "Howard W. Koch; Producer, Director, Academy President". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  11. ^ Abcarian, Robin (February 25, 2004). "Her own woman". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2025. Melinda Blinken, daughter of legendary producer-director Howard Koch, whose investment banker husband Alan Blinken was Bill Clinton's ambassador to Belgium
  12. ^ D'Addario, Daniel (June 7, 2025). "Sam Nivola and Cooper Koch Confront Nepo Baby Criticism and Being Accused of Playing Sexual Deviant Brothers: 'You Still Have to Love Your Character'". Variety. Archived from the original on June 9, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  13. ^ Betancourt, Emiliana; Malkin, Marc (September 26, 2024). "Erik Menendez Actor Cooper Koch Hugged the Real Menendez Bros. During Prison Visit With Kim Kardashian, Says They Deserve a Retrial and Are 'Upstanding Individuals'". Variety. Archived from the original on October 17, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  14. ^ Guzman, Ivan. "Netflix "Monsters" Actor Cooper Koch on Erik Menendez". Paper. Archived from the original on December 14, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  15. ^ a b Andaloro, Angela (October 15, 2024). "Monsters Star Cooper Koch Starred as the Love Interest in a Hannah Montana Music Video as a Young Teen". People. Archived from the original on February 14, 2025. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  16. ^ a b c Patta, Gig (February 24, 2023). "Swallowed | Cooper Koch and Jose Colon on Nudity and Swallowing". LRMonline. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  17. ^ Petski, Denise (August 1, 2018). "'Less Than Zero': Hulu Drama Pilot Rounds Out Cast". Deadline. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  18. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 11, 2019). "Pilots 'Less Than Zero' & 'Search And Destroy' Not Going Forward At Hulu". Deadline. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  19. ^ Bojalad, Alec (October 7, 2020). "Netflix Announces 2020 Winter Holiday Lineup". Den of Geek. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c Rice, Lynette (September 27, 2024). "'Monsters' Star Cooper Koch Breaks Down One-Take Scene As Erik Menéndez When He Reveals History Of Abuse: "Super Nerve-Wracking"". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 5, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  21. ^ Donato, Matt (June 5, 2022). "Swallowed Review". IGN. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  22. ^ White, Abbey (October 22, 2022). "Carter Smith's Queer Horror 'Swallowed,' Juliana Curi Doc 'UÝRA — The Rising Forest' Among NewFest Jury Award Winners (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  23. ^ Felperin, Leslie (April 18, 2023). "Swallowed review – greasy gay body-horror offers plenty of icky moments". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  24. ^ Vlessing, Etan (July 20, 2022). "Kevin Bacon Runs a Killer Gay Conversion Camp in New Trailer for Blumhouse Slasher Pic 'They/Them'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Kramer, Gary M. (August 11, 2022). "Cooper Koch Talks About the New Queer Thriller They/Them". San Francisco Bay Times. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  26. ^ Millar, Jake (December 9, 2024). ""It was one of the greatest acting experiences I've ever had": Cooper Koch is writing his next chapter". GQ Australia. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Hailu, Selome (June 30, 2023). "Ryan Murphy's 'Monster' Season 2 Casts Cooper Koch, Nicholas Alexander Chavez as the Menéndez Brothers". Variety. Archived from the original on October 3, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  28. ^ a b Malkin, William Earl, J Kim Murphy, Marc (September 28, 2024). "'Monsters' Stars Break Down Erik Menendez's 'Powerful,' 33-Minute Single Take in Episode 5: 'You Couldn't Look Away'". Variety. Retrieved October 28, 2024.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ Fienberg, Daniel (September 20, 2024). "'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story' Review: Despite a Terrifying Javier Bardem, Ryan Murphy's Netflix True-Crime Saga Falls Flat". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  30. ^ Kang, Inkoo (October 8, 2024). "Ryan Murphy's Latest Era of Cynical Hits". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  31. ^ a b Nolfi, Joey (December 9, 2024). "2025 Golden Globes nominations revealed: See the full list of nominees, from Emilia Pérez domination to Ariana Grande in Wicked". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 9, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  32. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 21, 2024). "Monsters Star Cooper Koch Signs with UTA". Deadline. United States. Archived from the original on October 21, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  33. ^ a b Jian, Wei. "Cooper Koch Stars in Saint Laurent's Cinematic Campaign 'As Time Goes By'". L'Officiel Philippines. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  34. ^ Rikhy, Trishna (May 13, 2025). "Exclusive: Cooper Koch on 'Monsters,' Fame, and Stripping Down for Calvin Klein". Esquire. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  35. ^ Furness, Joseph (June 6, 2025). ""My Diapers Were Calvin Klein." Who Knew Monsters' Cooper Koch is Funny, Too?". Esquire. Archived from the original on June 11, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  36. ^ a b Grobar, Matt (July 14, 2025). "Cooper Koch Joins Luca Guadagnino's 'Artificial' At Amazon MGM Studios". Deadline. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  37. ^ Chang, Mahalia (April 28, 2025). "Cooper Koch is reassessing the high-shine suit". British GQ. Archived from the original on April 29, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  38. ^ Turner, Kyle (October 18, 2024). "A Big Night Out With Cooper Koch, the Breakout Heartthrob of 'Monsters: The Erik and Lyle Menendez Story'". GQ. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  39. ^ Rodgers, Daniel (January 24, 2025). "All the Best-Dressed Stars at Men's Fashion Week". Vogue. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  40. ^ Bossi, Andrea; Clarke, Grace (June 21, 2025). "Ralph Lauren Purple Label's Spring/Summer 2026 Show in Milan Boasts a Medley of Motifs". L'Officiel USA. Archived from the original on June 22, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  41. ^ Vertua, Simone (June 20, 2025). "Inside Montblanc's Wes Anderson Short Film Reveal, Ready-to-Wear Debut in Milan". L'Officiel USA. Archived from the original on June 22, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  42. ^ Knowles, Jaharia (June 26, 2025). "Tod's Spring/Summer 2026 Collection Is All About a Very Special Kind of Leather: Pashmy". L'Officiel Philippines. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  43. ^ Lennox, Will (July 8, 2025). "Allow us to introduce you to Cooper Koch's flawless high-meets-low tux". GQ Australia. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  44. ^ "Cooper Koch at Wilhelmina by Joseph Lally for Sleepless Nights 2 Book". Yearbook Fanzine. November 30, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  45. ^ Kinane, Ruth (September 26, 2024). "Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch Explode in Monsters". Tudum by Netflix. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  46. ^ Coleman, Ryan (October 19, 2024). "'Monsters' star Cooper Koch recalls being told his 'gay voice' would hinder his career". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  47. ^ "The best street style we spotted outside GQ MOTY 2024". GQ Australia. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  48. ^ Murphy, Chris (December 9, 2024). "Monsters' Cooper Koch Has Had a "Crazy Day" After Getting Nominated for a Golden Globe". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  49. ^ Duncan, Charlie (September 20, 2024). "Monsters actor Cooper Koch is the rising gay star you need to know about". PinkNews. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  50. ^ a b Galicia, Luisa (September 26, 2024). "Cooper Koch: películas y series donde aparece el actor de 'Monstruos'" [Cooper Koch: Movies and TV shows featuring the 'Monsters' actor]. Gluc.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  51. ^ Adams, Jason (February 14, 2023). "Fantasia Review: Carter Smith's 'Swallowed' Digs Deep Into The Dark Nooks Of Queer-Horror". Pajiba. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  52. ^ "Going 'Head First' into the Creative Process". Showtones. July 8, 2019. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
  53. ^ TOWKIO (May 21, 2015). Towkio - Reflection (prod. Kaytranada). Archived from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2025 – via YouTube.
  54. ^ Lennox, Will (December 4, 2024). "Cooper Koch is your 2024 International Actor of the Year". GQ Australia. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  55. ^ Merino, Isabella (December 23, 2024). "The Daily Californian's Arts Awards: Television of 2024". The Daily Californian. Archived from the original on December 25, 2024. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  56. ^ Kraljik, Valentina (January 29, 2025). "Queerty Awards Nominations Dropped - Marvel and Star Wars secured Several Nominations". Comic Basics. Archived from the original on January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  57. ^ Cobb, Kayla (June 16, 2025). "'Andor,' 'Severance,' 'The White Lotus' and 'Hacks' Lead Dorian TV Awards With 6 Nominations Each". TheWrap. Archived from the original on June 16, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  58. ^ Beachum, Chris (July 14, 2025). "2025 Gold Derby TV Awards: Complete list of nominations". Gold Derby. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  59. ^ "Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie 2025 - Nominees & Winners". Television Academy. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
[edit]