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’

As a seasoned movie buff with a knack for delving deep into the lives of characters portrayed on screen, I must say that my encounter with Cooper Koch and his journey with the Menendez brothers has been nothing short of extraordinary. It’s not every day you find yourself chatting with an actor about their phone conversation with a real-life convicted murderer they play in a series!


Actor Cooper Koch, portraying Erik Menendez in the series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” shares that his first conversation with the real Erik Menendez didn’t occur during their prison visit alongside Kim Kardashian. Instead, Koch reveals in an interview with EbMaster that they had a phone call the night before the show premiered on Netflix.

“Koch shared with EbMaster that they had a deep talk about his role and assured him that he genuinely supported him, did his best to depict him accurately, and thought the show did a commendable job in representing him. They also chatted about other topics such as their shared alma mater, Calabasas High School, where he moved to California, and how Koch’s father graduated from Beverly Hills High School the year before the individual started there. They discovered some strange similarities between them.

A few days following their phone conversation, Erik publicly criticized the series on X, a platform where his wife shared this statement. Koch stated that during his prison visit with Kardashian, they discussed Erik’s critiques. Koch expressed, “I sympathized with your feelings because it would be understandable to feel that way under such circumstances.” He continued, “Imagine having the most difficult part of your life – a traumatic and unfortunate event – broadcasted for millions to watch in an exaggerated Hollywood drama. I simply said, ‘I comprehend, I empathize, and I stand with you.’

Koch explained that he got acquainted with Kardashian during their prison visit due to a mutual connection – his stylist, Jamie Mizrahi, who introduced them to one another.

Koch mentioned that during their shared lunch, he received a text from Jamie containing a video of Kim expressing her admiration for him on the show and praising his performance. The text also indicated they wished to speak with him. Kim then phoned, inquiring about Eric and the brothers, before revealing she was planning to visit that location and inviting Koch along. This entire sequence of events unfolded rather swiftly.

On September 21st, a team, including Kim Kardashian, her mother Kris Jenner, and sister Khloé Kardashian, visited the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility near San Diego, California. Their purpose was to engage in discussions about prison reform with the inmates. Upon entering the gymnasium, Koch immediately recognized Erik as the first person he saw.

Upon seeing each other, we swiftly wrapped our arms around one another. He was exceptionally kind-hearted. Not only did I have the pleasure of giving them a warm embrace, but also sharing moments with them, Koch remarked. They are truly admirable people, having accomplished so much within their prison’s walls. Erik is responsible for teaching meditation and public speaking classes, while they are working on a Greenspace project to enhance the prison’s landscape. It was an incredible experience.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve been following the chilling tale of the Menendez brothers closely. I still remember the shock waves that their conviction for first-degree murder of their parents in 1989 sent through the world. Recently, Erik and Lyle’s case has resurfaced in discussions, with Koch expressing his belief that they deserve a second chance at a fair trial.

In Koch’s words, “The individuals in question had allegedly committed the crime at ages 18 and 25, a time when it was challenging for many to accept the possibility of male-on-male sexual abuse, particularly within a familial context such as father and son. People struggled to believe their story, finding it hard to grasp that it was truthful. The theory suggesting they killed their parents for financial gain seemed more plausible at the time. However, with the passage of 35 years and advancements in understanding child sexual abuse cases, there is now a wealth of evidence supporting such claims. I believe they should be granted a new trial given this newfound knowledge. Regrettably, during their previous trial, their allegations of sexual abuse were not considered as admissible evidence.

He mentioned, “I truly wish for them to be granted parole and enjoy a fantastic life ahead.

Koch shared that he had a deep connection with Erik based on their shared spiritual beliefs. He expressed that he had always wished to meet them and express his support, saying, “I’ve always wanted to tell them I believe in them, and I want to be their advocate.” When the meeting finally took place, it felt strangely familiar, as if they were already acquainted due to years of watching and listening to them.

However, Koch momentarily halted, flashing a smile. “I acknowledge that it seems illogical,” he admitted. “Indeed, it’s quite extraordinary. Discussing this with you, it does appear rather absurd.

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2024-09-26 18:48