Monsters' Cooper Koch Was 'So Anxious' He 'Couldn't Sleep' Before Earning His First-Ever Golden Globe Nomination (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Cooper Koch.Photo:Netflix

Netflix

Cooper Kochis having a very good Monday.

Calling today the “best Monday ever,” Koch tells PEOPLE, “I still can’t believe that it’s happening — that it happened. It’s really, really, really, really nuts. I’m so grateful and honored to be recognized amongst these people. It’s crazy.”

Koch admits he “knew that there was a slim chance of it happening, but I also was prepared for it not to happen,” which contributed to the tossing and turning. “I was just anxious.”

Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez, Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez, Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson in ‘Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story’.Miles Crist/Netflix

Miles Crist/Netflix

Koch’s first call was to his team, he says, and some of the first people to congratulate him wereRyan Murphyand his costarsAri GraynorandJavier Bardem, whoplayed his father Jose Menendez on the seriesand also earned a supporting actor nomination for the role.

“He’s super excited,” Koch says of Bardem, 55, before sharing what his costar texted him. “He said, ‘Well done, my dear.'”

Fellow nomineeColman Domingowas also in touch “very fast, which was very sweet,” the actor says. “He was like, ‘Congrats,’ and then I got to congratulate him back.”

Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez in ‘Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story’.Miles Crist/Netflix

Koch admits that the “imposter syndrome is so real” right now as the news settles in and he reflects on the absolute whirlwind of the last year — from being cast inMonsters, filming it and its hugely successful September release.

“My life has changed so much in the past two years, and it’s so crazy to wrap my head around. But my younger self would be so overwhelmed with joy and so proud and happy.”

Cooper Koch arrives at the L.A. premiere of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” on Sept. 16, 2024.Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock (

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock (

Koch is going to do a little bit of celebrating today, but it’s mostly “business as usual.”

“I’m going out to breakfast with my partner, Stu, my brothers, Payton and Walker, and my manager, Jason. We’re going out to breakfast, we’re going to go to a diner. Then I have a day of meetings.”

As he looks ahead to the Jan. 5 awards show, the L.A. native says he has “such a huge smile on my face right now imagining it.”

“I have always loved watching the Golden Globes. They’re so funny, they’re so fun. AndNikki Glaseris hilarious,” he says, referring tothe host of this year’s ceremony. “It’s going to be a trip being there.”

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Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Storycan be streamed in full on Netflix and the Golden Globes will air live on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

source: people.com