Cooper Koch was celebrating his Emmy nod. Then he got a call from prison
'I spoke (with) Lyle today,' Koch said on an Entertainment Weekly's podcast, ' The Awardist,' on an episode released Wednesday, July 16. 'He called to send his congrats and was very, very sweet.
Koch was referring, of course, to Lyle Menendez, who, like Erik, was convicted in 1996 for killing their parents.
'He was jealous that I was at Wimbledon this weekend,' added the actor, who was recently cast in ' Artificial,' the $40 million OpenAI movie to be directed by Luca Guadagnino. 'He was just so, so sweet… and they're doing really well.'
Emmy nominations were announced on Tuesday, July 15, with Koch earning a nod for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series for his role in the nine-episode Netflix true-crime hit produced by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. The series also received nominations for outstanding limited or anthology series and supporting actor and actress for Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny, who played the Menendez parents.
Nicholas Alexander Chavez, who played Lyle Menendez, was not nominated.
Lyle and Erik Menendez were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility for parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, at their multi-million dollar Beverly Hills home. The brothers claimed the killings were in self-defense after years of sexual, emotional and physical abuse, and the trial was a media sensation that divided public opinion.
In October, then-Los Angeles district attorney George Gascón, a former San Francisco D.A., recommended a resentencing of 50 years to life, a move formally approved in May by L.A. County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic, making the brothers immediately eligible for parole.
Then, on July 7, L.A. County Superior Court Judge William Ryan ordered prosecutors to explain why the brothers' murder convictions should not be re-examined in light of new evidence — including a letter from Erik and testimony by former Menudo member Roy Rosselló — supporting their claims of sexual abuse.
The parole board hearings for Erik, 54, and Lyle, 57, are scheduled for Aug. 21-22.
Koch said on the podcast he hoped 'the brothers (get) released by the end of the summer.'
In September, Kock told Variety he had visited the brothers at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility near San Diego with prison reform advocate Kim Kardashian and her mother, Kris Jenner, and sister, Khloé Kardashian.
When he met Erik, Koch said they 'just looked at each other, and immediately embraced. He was so kind.'
On this week's podcast episode, Koch reiterated his appreciation for playing Erik.
'The best part about this whole thing was just getting the opportunity to be a part of this show and tell this story and just embody this person who I just care so deeply about,' he said.
The 77th Emmy Awards, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, is scheduled for Sept. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The awards will be broadcast on CBS and Paramount+.
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