Honestly, if you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Netflix lately, you’ve seen them. The sweaters. The tennis rackets. That specific brand of 1980s Beverly Hills privilege mixed with absolute, skin-crawling dread. When Ryan Murphy dropped Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story in late 2024, it didn't just trend; it basically took over the internet. But here’s the thing: Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch aren't the first guys to step into those loafers.
They’re just the ones who finally made us look at the case differently.
The history of menendez brothers actors is actually a weird, decades-long timeline of how Hollywood views trauma. Back in the '90s, the actors played them like monsters. Pure and simple. By 2024, the performances shifted into something way more vulnerable, focusing on the alleged abuse that the 1996 jury basically ignored. It’s a wild evolution.
The 2024 Breakouts: Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch
Let's talk about the guys everyone is obsessed with right now.
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Nicholas Alexander Chavez (Lyle) and Cooper Koch (Erik) didn't just play these roles; they lived in them. Chavez, who came from the world of soap operas (General Hospital), brought this terrifyingly brittle bravado to Lyle. You see him wearing that hairpiece like it's a suit of armor. It’s heartbreaking and creepy all at once.
Then you’ve got Cooper Koch.
If you haven't seen "The Hurt Man" (Episode 5), you're missing what critics are calling a masterclass. It’s one single, 30-minute shot of Erik talking to his lawyer. No cuts. Just Koch’s face and a story of horrific abuse. He actually visited the real Erik Menendez in prison at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility after the show wrapped. That tells you everything you need to know about how deep he went.
Interestingly, Koch had actually auditioned for Menendez projects twice before and got rejected. He tried out for the 2017 Law & Order version and a Lifetime movie. Third time's the charm, I guess?
The Actors You Probably Forgot (The '90s and 2010s)
Before Netflix made them superstars, other actors tried to tackle the "Billionaire Boys Club" vibe of the brothers.
1. The 1994 CBS Movie: Damian Chapa and Travis Fine
This came out while the brothers were literally still on trial. Talk about fast turnaround. Damian Chapa played Lyle and Travis Fine played Erik in Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills.
- The Vibe: Very "Movie of the Week."
- The Focus: It leaned heavily into the "spoiled rich kids" narrative.
- Fun Fact: Edward James Olmos played the father, Jose Menendez. He brought a terrifying gravitas that later versions would try to emulate.
2. Law & Order True Crime (2017): Miles Gaston Villanueva and Gus Halper
This one was actually pretty good, though it got overshadowed by the People v. O.J. Simpson hype. Miles Gaston Villanueva (Lyle) and Gus Halper (Erik) focused more on the legal strategy. Edie Falco was the real star here as Leslie Abramson, but the brothers held their own. Halper, in particular, captured that "deer in the headlights" look Erik often had in court.
3. The Lifetime Version: Nico Tortorella and Myko Olivier
Menendez: Blood Brothers (2017) featured Nico Tortorella as Lyle. This version was... well, it was Lifetime. It was a bit more sensationalized. Courtney Love played Kitty Menendez, which is a casting choice that still feels like a fever dream.
Why the Casting Matters for the Real Case
It sounds crazy, but the menendez brothers actors in the Netflix series might actually be the reason the brothers get out of prison.
Because Chavez and Koch played them with such palpable empathy, a whole new generation (Gen Z, mostly) started digging into the court transcripts. They found the evidence of Jose Menendez's alleged abuse that wasn't fully allowed in the second trial.
By May 2025, the buzz was so loud that the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office had to take a serious look at new evidence, including a letter Erik wrote to his cousin months before the murders. Cooper Koch was actually in the courtroom during some of these 2025 hearings to show support.
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Preparation: How Do You Play a Killer?
Nicholas Alexander Chavez admitted he knew almost nothing about the case before he got the part. He had to binge-watch hours of Court TV footage. He noticed how Lyle would "puff out his chest" to seem like the man of the house, even when he was clearly terrified.
Cooper Koch took a different route. He focused on the sensory details. He wanted to understand the "smallness" of Erik.
| Actor | Preparation Method | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Nicholas Alexander Chavez | Researching old trial tapes and books | The "Mask" of Lyle's confidence |
| Cooper Koch | Deep empathy and visiting the real Erik | The physical toll of trauma |
The Backlash: What the Real Erik Menendez Said
Not everyone was a fan.
The real Erik Menendez actually released a statement from prison bashing the Ryan Murphy show. He called the portrayal of Lyle "disheartening" and "a caricature." He specifically hated the suggestion of an incestuous relationship between the brothers—something the show hinted at but the brothers have always vehemently denied.
It’s a reminder that while these actors are winning Emmys (Koch won for his performance in early 2026), there are real people behind the "characters" who have to live with the fallout.
How to Follow the Case Today
If you're fascinated by the performances and want to see how the real-life drama is ending, here’s what you should do:
- Watch the 1993 Testimony: Go to YouTube and watch the actual brothers testify. You’ll see exactly what Chavez and Koch were mimicking. The "sweater style" wasn't just a costume choice; it was a PR move by their lawyer.
- Read the Roy Rosselló Allegations: Look up the 2023 claims from the former Menudo member. This is the "new evidence" that the actors often cite in interviews.
- Check the Parole Board Status: As of early 2026, the case is in a critical window for resentencing.
The line between Hollywood and the justice system has never been thinner than it is with these actors. They didn't just play a role; they restarted a movement. Whether you think they’re "monsters" or "victims," you can’t deny that the guys on screen changed the conversation forever.
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Keep an eye on the news out of the L.A. County courts this summer—the performance of a lifetime might just lead to a literal life change for the real Menendez brothers.
To get a better sense of the accuracy, you should compare the Netflix "Hurt Man" episode side-by-side with Erik's actual 1993 testimony—the similarities in vocal cadence are actually pretty haunting.