Cooper Koch went from a quiet, hardworking Hollywood kid to one of the most talked-about actors on Netflix almost overnight. His raw, emotional performance as Erik Menendez changed everything for him.
He’s best known for playing Erik Menendez in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024), a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination and made him a breakout name worldwide. Before that, he built a steady career in indie horror films, modeling, and theater — all while being openly gay in an industry that hasn’t always made that easy.
Quick Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Cooper Joseph Koch |
| Age (2026) | 30 years (born July 16, 1996) |
| Date of Birth | July 16, 1996 |
| Birthplace | Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian (Russian-Jewish and Polish-Jewish descent) |
| Profession | Actor, Model, Producer |
| Years Active | 2007 – Present |
| Net Worth (2026) | between $1.5 million and $5 million |
| Partner | Stuart McClave (filmmaker/producer) |
| Sexual Orientation | Openly Gay |
Cooper Koch Age and Birthday
Cooper Koch’s birthday falls on July 16, and he was born in 1996, making him 30 years old in 2026. He shares his birthday almost exactly with his twin brother, Payton, since the two were born on the same day.
Featured Snippet Answer: Cooper Koch is 30 years old as of 2026, having been born on July 16, 1996, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California.
Cooper Koch Wiki: Early Life
Cooper Joseph Koch was born on July 16, 1996, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, to a family involved in the film industry. He spent much of his childhood in the nearby community of Hidden Hills before the family later returned to Woodland Hills.
He attended Calabasas High School, where he explored theater (West Side Story, A Midsummer Night’s Dream), sang in an a cappella group, played the viola, and even competed in men’s volleyball — a genuinely multi-talented start. He later trained formally at Pace University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting in 2018.
Interestingly, Cooper started acting even earlier than that. At age 11, he appeared in the crime thriller Fracture (2007), a film produced by his own grandfather — a nice full-circle moment for a family so deeply rooted in Hollywood.
He also worked as a model in his teens and appeared in a music video for the song “Reflection” by Towkio in 2015, long before his breakout TV role arrived.
Cooper Koch Family and Parents
Cooper Koch’s family isn’t just supportive — it’s genuinely Hollywood royalty behind the scenes. His father, Billy Koch, who is of Jewish Russian descent, is the founder and owner of the horse racing club Little Red Feather and previously worked as a production assistant in numerous films.
His mother, Kathy Kaehler, is a celebrity personal trainer known for working with major names like Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, and Cindy Crawford — earning her the nickname “the fitness queen of Hollywood.” Kathy and Billy met at a film premiere and got married in 1994.
Cooper Koch Parents:
| Parent | Profession |
| Billy Koch (Father) | Horse racing club founder; former film production assistant |
| Kathy Kaehler (Mother) | celebrity personal trainer |
Cooper Koch Siblings:
| Sibling | Relation | Field |
| Payton Koch | Twin brother | Film editor |
| Walker Koch | Younger brother | Musician |
His Hollywood lineage goes back even further. His grandfather is film producer Hawk Koch, and his great-grandfather was film producer and director Howard W. Koch — meaning Cooper is literally the third generation of his family working in the film industry.
Hawk Koch also served as a former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which shows just how deep the Koch family’s Hollywood roots really run.
Cooper Koch Career Timeline
Cooper’s career has been a slow, steady build rather than an instant overnight break — real craft, layered over more than a decade.
- 2007 – Child acting debut in Fracture, produced by his grandfather Hawk Koch
- Early 2010s – Modeling work and small creative projects during his teenage years
- 2015 – Appears in the music video for “Reflection” by Towkio
- 2018 – Graduates from Pace University with a BFA in Acting
- 2020 – Stars in A New York Christmas Wedding
- 2022 – Breakout indie roles in horror films Swallowed and They/Them
- 2023 – Cast as Erik Menendez in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
- 2024 – Monsters releases on Netflix in September and becomes the platform’s #1 show; Cooper’s performance draws massive critical attention
- 2025 – Earns his first Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series; attends the GLAAD Media Awards with boyfriend Stuart McClave
- 2025–2026 – Continues building his film slate, with growing interest from major studios following his Monsters success
Cooper Koch Movies and TV Shows
Cooper has built a resume that mixes indie horror, drama, and now major streaming success.
Cooper Koch Movies:
- Fracture (2007) – early child acting role
- A New York Christmas Wedding (2020)
- Swallowed (2022) – body horror film, played Benjamin
- They/Them (2022) – slasher horror film
Cooper Koch TV Shows:
- Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024) – his breakout role as Erik Menendez, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination
This mix of independent film work and one major Netflix hit is a classic Hollywood trajectory — years of smaller, craft-building roles followed by one performance that changes everything.
Cooper Koch Net Worth 2026
Cooper Koch’s net worth in 2026 is estimated to be between $1.5 million and $5 million, though some estimates range as low as $150,000 and as high as $5 million depending on how modeling income and endorsements are calculated.
Featured Snippet Answer: Cooper Koch’s net worth in 2026 is estimated at $1–3 million, earned mainly through acting roles, modeling, and his growing profile after Monsters.
Income Sources Breakdown
| Income Source | Details |
| Acting Roles | Films like Swallowed, They/Them, and the Netflix hit Monsters |
| Streaming Success | Boosted visibility and pay following Monsters’ #1 Netflix ranking |
| Modeling | Contributes meaningfully to his overall earnings |
| Awards Recognition | Golden Globe nomination increases future project value |
| Family Industry Ties | Represented by Innovative Artists and Silver Lining Entertainment |
His net worth is expected to grow significantly in the coming years as he moves from indie and supporting roles into higher-profile studio projects — a natural next step after a Golden Globe-nominated breakout performance.
Cooper Koch Height and Physical Stats
Cooper Koch stands at an estimated height of around 6 feet and 3/4 inches (1.85 meters), giving him a tall, commanding on-screen presence that suits both his horror-film roles and his dramatic work in Monsters.
| Physical Stat | Detail |
| Height | 6 feet and 3/4 inches (1.85 meters) tall |
| Build | Athletic lean build |
| Hair Color | light brown to medium brown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Nationality | American |
Cooper Koch Partner and Relationships
Cooper Koch is openly gay and has spoken candidly about the fear he once had of being out as an actor, worrying it might cost him roles. He later said that acting school taught him that authenticity was essential to his craft.
Cooper Koch Partner: He is in a relationship with Stuart McClave, a filmmaker and producer best known for his documentary On the Line: The Richard Williams Story, about Serena and Venus Williams’ father.
Koch first revealed he had a boyfriend in October 2024 during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. The couple made their red carpet debut together at the 2024 LACMA Art+Film Gala and later attended the 2025 Golden Globes and GLAAD Media Awards as a couple.
Speaking about McClave, Koch said the relationship has kept him grounded during his sudden rise to fame, describing his partner as calm, supportive, and “the best partner I could ask for.”
Featured Snippet Answer: Cooper Koch’s partner is Stuart McClave, a filmmaker and producer. The couple went public in late 2024 and have since appeared together at major award shows including the Golden Globes.
Cooper Koch Nationality and Ethnicity
Cooper Koch is 100% American, born and raised in Los Angeles, California. His ethnicity traces back to Russian-Jewish and Polish-Jewish heritage on his father’s side, connecting him to a long line of Hollywood filmmakers going back multiple generations.
While his roots are firmly in American cinema (think Netflix, Golden Globes, Hollywood industry legacy), his global fanbase has grown rapidly thanks to Monsters becoming an international streaming phenomenon — reaching audiences well beyond the U.S., including Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
Frequently Asked Question
What is Cooper Koch’s age?
Cooper Koch is 30 years old in 2026, born on July 16, 1996.
What is Cooper Koch’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated between $1.5 million and $5 million in 2026, mainly from acting and modeling.
Where is Cooper Koch from?
He is from Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, and is American by nationality.
How tall is Cooper Koch?
He stands at approximately 6 feet and 3/4 inches (1.85 meters) tall.
Who are Cooper Koch’s parents?
His parents are Billy Koch, a horse racing executive, and Kathy Kaehler, a celebrity fitness trainer.
Does Cooper Koch have siblings?
Yes, he has a twin brother, Payton Koch, and a younger brother, Walker Koch.
Who is Cooper Koch’s partner?
His partner is Stuart McClave, a filmmaker and producer; the couple went public in late 2024.
What is Cooper Koch famous for?
He is best known for playing Erik Menendez in Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
Conclusion
Cooper Koch’s journey is a genuine multi-generational Hollywood story — from a child actor in a film produced by his own grandfather, to a Golden Globe-nominated breakout star in 2024. His age (30), his growing net worth of between $1.5 million and $5 million, his deep-rooted Hollywood family, and his openly public relationship with Stuart McClave all make him one of the most searched rising actors today.
Whether you’re following his next film role, his award season appearances, or his personal life with his partner, Cooper Koch’s rise in Hollywood is clearly just getting started — and 2026 looks set to be another big year for him.