How the cast of Netflix’s ‘Monsters: Lyle and Erik Menendez’ compare to the real people
It has been 35 years since José and Kitty Menendez were murdered in their California residence in 1989 by their sons, Lyle, who was 21 at the time, and Erik, who was 18.
Throughout the years, there have been many dramatized versions of this case, including the recent 2017 miniseries "Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders." Now, Netflix is presenting its own interpretation, following the success of its "Monster" series, which featured "The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" in 2022. The latest installment, "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," is set to debut on September 19.
Below is a compilation of both actual and imagined characters featured in the latest adaptation, drawing from Robert Rand's book "The Menendez Murders," which served as the foundation for the show.
Nicolas Alexander Chavez Stars As Lyle Menendez
Nicolas Alexander Chavez's appearances include roles in "General Hospital" from 2021 to 2024 and in the film "Crushed," released in 2022.
Who he’s portraying: Lyle Menendez, the older of the two Menéndez siblings, born in 1968. At the time of the crime, Lyle was facing a one-year suspension from Princeton due to allegations of plagiarism, which he contested. Both he and his younger brother were also involved in tennis.
On the night when José and Kitty lost their lives, Lyle Menendez contacted the authorities. "Someone has murdered my parents," he informed the operator, as recorded in the call transcript.
The brothers faced first-degree murder charges for the deaths of their parents. They went through two trials. The first trial attracted a lot of media attention and had two juries involved, while the second trial was held without cameras and featured just one jury.
In their initial court proceedings, the defense claimed that the brothers took their parents' lives due to the sexual abuse inflicted by their father and the threat he posed to them if they revealed the truth. Meanwhile, the prosecution contended that the brothers murdered their father driven by financial motives, as they stood to inherit an estate valued at approximately $8 to $14 million, according to "The Menendez Murders."
During their initial trial, the juries could not reach a decision, resulting in two hung juries. In the subsequent trial, which took place in front of one jury without any television coverage, accusations of abuse were not allowed as evidence.
In March 1996, Erik and Lyle Menendez were found guilty of first-degree murder and plotting to commit murder. As reported by the Associated Press, they received two life sentences back-to-back, with no chance of parole.
Cooper Koch As Erik Menendez
Cooper Koch's notable appearances include "They/Them" (2022), "Swallowed" (2022), "Power Book II: Ghost" (2020), "A New York Christmas Wedding" (2020), and "Less than Zero" (2019).
Who he is: Erik Galen Menendez, born in 1970, is the younger brother in the pair. At the time of the tragedy, he was preparing to start classes at UCLA while living at his family's Beverly Hills residence. Following the deaths of his parents, Erik brought on a personal tennis coach and began participating in various competitions. According to the L.A. Times, he was in Israel for a tournament when police asked him to turn himself in.
Javier Bardem As José Menendez
Javier Bardem's filmography includes appearances in "Dune" (Parts 1 and 2) from 2021 to 2024, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" released in 2017, "Skyfall" which came out in 2012, "No Country for Old Men" from 2007, and "The Sea Inside" from 2004.
Who he's portraying: José Menendez, the father of the Menendez brothers. As a teenager, José Menendez escaped from Cuba to a small town in Pennsylvania after Fidel Castro took control. He met Kitty Anderson, who would become his wife, while attending Southern Illinois University on a scholarship. They got married in 1983 and relocated to New York, where he earned his accounting degree from Queens College. He later managed the record division of RCA-Ariola, along with various other business projects.
To those who saw him from the outside, he was recognized for being tough on his sons when it came to sports and academics. However, the brothers claim there were deeper, troubling issues inside their California household.
During the initial trial, the brothers revealed their experiences of sexual abuse inflicted by their father. Lyle Menendez testified that he confronted their father about the continued abuse of Erik in the days leading up to the double homicide. He mentioned he had threatened to inform the police but was scared of possible retaliation from his father. “I believed our lives were at risk,” he said. “I felt there was no option left. He would kill us.”
In 2024, a former member of the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo revealed that he had been sexually abused by José Menendez in the Peacock documentary titled “Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed.” Peacock is a service owned by NBCUniversal, which is the parent company of TODAY.
Chloe Sevigny Stars As Mary Louise 'Kitty' Menendez
Chloë Sevigny has appeared in various projects, including "Feud" (2024), "Poker Face" (2023), "Russian Doll" (2019-2022), "American Horror Story" (2012-2016), "Big Love" (2006-2011), and "Kids" (1995).
Who she's portraying: Mary Louise Anderson, affectionately called Kitty, is the mother of Lyle and Erik Menendez. Hailing from Wateska, Illinois, Kitty grew up in a divorced family and was described as a "quiet rebel" by the L.A. Times.
Lyle Menendez shared that he opened up to his mother about the mistreatment from his father. He recalled, “She told me to cut it out, said I was making it seem worse than it really was, and insisted that my dad needed to discipline me when I misbehaved.”
He also recounted that Kitty Menendez would often "hit and kick" him and his brother, and once even pursued him with a kitchen knife, according to the book "The Menendez Murders."
Nathan Lane: A Tribute To Dominick Dunne
Nathan Lane has appeared in several notable productions, including “The Gilded Age” (2022-23), “Only Murders in the Building” (2021-22), and “Modern Family” (2010-19). He also had roles in “The Good Wife” (2012-14), starred in the film “The Producers” (2005), and lent his voice to the character in “The Lion King” (1994).
Who He Was: Dominick Dunne was a multifaceted individual – a writer, journalist, and producer known for his involvement in films such as “The Boys in the Band” (1970) and “The Panic in Needle Park” (1971). Following the tragic murder of his daughter in 1982, he shifted his focus to exploring issues related to wealth and the legal system, frequently contributing to Vanity Fair. He gained particular attention for his in-depth coverage of the Menendez trial. Dunne passed away in 2009.
Ari Graynor Shines As Leslie Abramson
Ari Graynor's appearances include: "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty" (2023), "Mrs. America" (2020), "The Disaster Artist" (2017), "Bad Teacher" (2014), "Fringe" (2009-10), and "The Sopranos" (2001).
Ari Graynor portrays Leslie Abramson, the attorney representing Erik Menendez during both trials. In her defense during the first trial, she focused on the allegations of abuse that the brothers claimed to have suffered. As Rand notes in “The Menendez Murders,” “Abramson may have been petite, but she was a formidable presence in the courtroom.” She gained a reputation as one of California's leading defense lawyers and was renowned for her success in preventing clients from facing the death penalty.
Following the brothers' conviction, she expressed that the case would “never end” for her, emphasizing that she will always maintain her connection to Erik Menendez, Lyle Menendez, and their family, as reported in “The Menendez Murders.”
Dallas Roberts As Jerome Oziel: Spotlight On Talent
Dallas Roberts has appeared in several notable productions, including "Glass Onion" (2022), "Insatiable" (2018-19), "The Good Wife" (2010-16), "Unforgettable" (2013-15), "The Walking Dead" (2012-13), and "The L Word" (2006-09).
Who he's portraying: Jerome Oziel, the psychiatrist to whom Erik Menendez revealed details about the murders in 1981. Eventually, Oziel provided the police with the crucial evidence needed to apprehend Erik and Lyle for the murder of their parents, following a court order requiring him to do so.
Leslie Grossman's Role As Judalon Smyth
Leslie Grossman has appeared in several notable shows, including "American Horror Story" (2017-2024), "Love, Victor" (2020-2022), "Santa, Inc." (2021), and "The Good Place" (2017-2018).
Who she is portraying: Judalon Smyth, a past client of Jerome Oziel who later became his romantic partner. Smyth eventually informed the authorities about recordings Oziel had, which captured Erik Menendez's confession.
Jason Butler Harner: The Role Of Les Zoeller
Jason Butler Harner has appeared in: "Sugar" (2024), "Next" (2020), and "Ozark" (2017-2018).
**Role Background:** Zoeller served as a detective with the Beverly Hills Police Department for three decades, from 1972 to 2002. During his tenure, he was involved in notable investigations, including the notorious Billionaire Boys Club Ponzi scheme, as reported by the Los Angeles Times in 1996. He passed away in 2021.
Randee Dawn (she/her) is an entertainment writer and author living in Brooklyn. Alongside her contributions to TODAY.com, Variety, and The Los Angeles Times, she released her first novel, *Tune in Tomorrow*, in 2022, which explores a reality TV show operated by mythical beings. Additionally, she co-wrote *The Law & Order: SVU Unofficial Companion*. When she's not chatting with celebrities or immersing herself in speculative storytelling, she often imagines her next travel destination or spends quality time with her Westie. You can find more about her at RandeeDawn.com.
