Cooper Koch just unwrapped an early birthday gift, and it’s one for the books. The 28-year-old actor, best known for his haunting turn as Lyle Menendez in Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has officially received his first Primetime Emmy nomination.
Koch was recognized for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the 2025 Emmy Awards, marking a major breakthrough in a rising career already marked by buzzworthy performances, and a certain shirtless viral moment that fans won’t soon forget.
A Standout Performance in a Haunting Story
The nine-episode Netflix limited series, part of Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, revisits the infamous 1989 Beverly Hills murders committed by the Menendez brothers, who claimed years of parental abuse in their defense. Koch played Lyle, the elder brother, with unnerving precision and unexpected emotional depth, earning him earlier accolades, including a Golden Globe nomination.
His co-stars Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny also received Emmy nods for their supporting roles, while the series itself landed a nomination for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.
From Screen to Courtroom: A Real-Life Impact
The Emmy buzz arrives on the heels of renewed legal developments in the Menendez case. Just nine months after Monsters debuted, a California judge responded to a resentencing petition by reducing the brothers’ sentences to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole. The decision followed mounting public interest sparked by the show and a subsequent Netflix documentary.
Lyle and Erik Menendez are expected to appear before the California Parole Board this August. The show’s resonance with viewers and lawmakers alike is a reminder of the power scripted drama can wield beyond entertainment, particularly in revisiting stories of justice and trauma through a modern lens.
What’s Next for Koch?
While Emmy voters are finally paying attention to Koch’s work, so is the film world. The actor has reportedly joined the cast of Artificial, the next project from celebrated queer director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name, Challengers). Deadline reports Koch will appear alongside Andrew Garfield and Yura Borisov in the upcoming film, though plot details remain tightly under wraps.
If Koch continues his current trajectory, balancing prestige TV, festival-circuit cinema, and the occasional cheeky viral moment, he’s set to become a fixture in Hollywood’s next generation of leading men. And now, with an Emmy nomination under his belt, that ascent is officially in motion.
