Cooper Koch is already planning his outfit for the 82nd Golden Globes on January 5 following his nomination for portraying Erik Menendez in Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
“I’ll give you a hint – I’ve worn them before,” he teases during an interview with Vanity Fair.
Koch, who is up for Best Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television, says, “I’m so grateful and humbled.” “It’s been such a surreal day.”
Speaking with Vanity Fair, Koch recalls hearing the news from his Los Angeles home, where he and his partner, filmmaker Stuart McClave, watched the announcement together. “I planned to sleep through it and wake up to a buzzing phone, but I couldn’t stay asleep,” he says. “We watched the livestream, and when my name was called, I freaked out. Stuart and I just hugged—it was such a sweet moment.”
Despite being relatively new to the industry, Koch finds himself in esteemed company. His category includes Colin Farrell (The Penguin), Kevin Kline (Disclaimer), Ewan McGregor (A Gentleman in Moscow), Andrew Scott (Ripley), and fellow newcomer Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer). “Talk about imposter syndrome,” Koch admits. “These actors are extraordinary, and their performances blew me away.” Koch is also thrilled to see LGBTQ representation in the category. “Me and Andrew Scott—that’s a win for us,” he says with a laugh. “Got to have a couple of gays in there!”
Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has been a critical success, earning multiple Golden Globe nominations, including Best Limited Series and a supporting actor nod for Javier Bardem as Jose Menendez. The series explores the infamous trial of the Menendez brothers, convicted in 1996 for the murders of their parents. Since its debut, there has been renewed interest in the case, with former Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón recently reopening discussions on their appeal based on new evidence. Although Gascón lost his re-election bid, a resentencing hearing is scheduled for late January.
Koch has been vocal in his support for the Menendez brothers, even visiting them in prison after the series aired. “I’m eagerly awaiting their new resentencing hearing,” he shares. “I’m hopeful this Golden Globes recognition will bring more awareness to their story and help advocate for them.”
As Koch looks beyond Monsters, he’s taking his time to select his next project. “I want to choose something meaningful,” he explains. “I’m excited to see what’s next, but I’m determined to find a role that I’m deeply passionate about.”
