Cooper Koch, the actor behind Lyle Menendez in The Menendez Murders, opened up about an eye-opening experience he had while visiting the Menendez brothers in prison. The visit, which took place with Kim Kardashian and Scott Budnik—who are both involved in prison reform work—was a deeply emotional and insightful event for Koch. Kim, after watching his portrayal of Lyle, invited him to accompany her on a trip to meet Eric Menendez and discuss the Green Space Project that Eric was working on.
Koch recounted a powerful visit to a prison gymnasium, where he and Kardashian spent time with around 30 incarcerated individuals, all sharing their personal stories. The emotional experience deeply impacted Koch, especially when he learned that many of the men had come from dysfunctional families. This revelation made him reflect on the struggles faced by the brothers, particularly Eric and Lyle Menendez, who have faced significant trauma in their lives.
Koch shared that meeting the Menendez brothers in person only strengthened his belief in their character. He described them as kind and resilient people who have done a lot of good while incarcerated. The brothers have continued their education, with both graduating from UC Irvine, and have been involved in projects like the Green Space initiative. Eric has even been teaching meditation and speech classes to fellow inmates.
While Koch deeply respects the Menendez brothers, he also spoke about Eric’s response to the show, where Eric called the portrayal inaccurate. Koch, ever empathetic, acknowledged the difficulty of seeing such a personal part of his life dramatized and expressed understanding of Eric’s feelings. He assured Eric that he had approached the role with great care and respect, aiming to portray him authentically.
The visit with the Menendez brothers was not just an eye-opening experience for Koch but also deeply inspiring. He was moved by the resilience and strength both brothers demonstrated in their lives behind bars. The visit also gave him a unique perspective, which added even more depth to his performance as Lyle Menendez.
In speaking about his role and the portrayal of the brothers’ story, Koch noted the importance of showing the Menendez case from multiple viewpoints, allowing audiences to draw their own conclusions. He explained that the series was designed to let viewers act like a jury, weighing different perspectives before forming their opinions on the brothers’ actions.
Koch also touched on the pressure of portraying real-life figures, especially those who are still alive, like the Menendez brothers. The responsibility to handle their stories with sensitivity was not lost on him, but he was determined to approach the role with diligence and care, keeping in mind both the creative demands of the show and the impact of representing such real people.
Overall, Koch’s experience with the Menendez brothers and his role as Lyle in The Menendez Murders highlighted the complexities of the case while showcasing his own deep empathy and understanding of the characters he portrayed.
