10 "Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story" Side-By-Sides That Showcase The Actors Vs. The Real People

Nora Dominick
·5-min read

This post contains mentions of sexual abuse and child abuse.

1.Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Menendez

The real Lyle Menendez stands in a courtroom wearing a prison uniform with
The real Lyle Menendez stands in a courtroom wearing a prison uniform with
Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle in a prison uniform stares ahead with a serious expression. He is seated in a dimly lit room with a barred window behind him
Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle in a prison uniform stares ahead with a serious expression. He is seated in a dimly lit room with a barred window behind him

Ted Soqui / Sygma / Getty Images, Netflix

Following the murder of his parents, Lyle Menendez was the one who called 911, reportedly saying, "They shot and killed my parents."

Six months after José and Kitty Menendez were killed, Lyle was arrested for their murder at the family's home in Beverly Hills.

2.Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez

Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez wears a prison uniform
Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez wears a prison uniform
The real  Erik Menendez sits at a courtroom
The real Erik Menendez sits at a courtroom

Netflix, Ted Soqui / Sygma / Getty Images

According to the LA Times, three days after Lyle's arrest, Erik flew home from a tennis tournament in Israel and "voluntarily surrendered" at LAX.

During their first trial, the brothers claimed that they killed their parents in self-defense after testifying that they were sexually abused by their father and their mother knew about it.

In April 1996, Lyle and Erik were sentenced to life in prison "with no hope of parole," per the LA Times.

And here are the brothers together:

In 2018, after spending more than 20 years separated in prison, Erik and Lyle reunited. According to ABC News, the last time they saw each other was on Sept. 10, 1996, when they could see each other across a prison yard but didn't talk. Over the years, they were able to write letters while serving their life sentences but weren't permitted to talk on the phone.

3.Javier Bardem as José Menendez

Javier Bardem as José Menendez in a suit and tie stands indoors with light streaming in from behind
Javier Bardem as José Menendez in a suit and tie stands indoors with light streaming in from behind
The real José Menendez in a suit and tie looks directly at the camera with a serious expression
The real José Menendez in a suit and tie looks directly at the camera with a serious expression

Netflix, CNBC / Via youtu.be

José was an executive of Hertz Global Holdings and later RCA Records, which is when he moved his family from New Jersey to Beverly Hills.

Alongside Erik and Lyle, José was also accused of sexual assault by Roy Rosselló, a former member of the band Menudo. Rosselló, detailing his alleged assault in 2023, has allowed Erik and Lyle's lawyers to file a habeas petition asking that their convictions be vacated.

4.Chloë Sevigny as Mary Louise "Kitty" Menéndez

Chloë Sevigny in a scene from
Chloë Sevigny in a scene from
People near the ocean, smiling. Woman in the center wearing a swimsuit. Names of people are unknown
People near the ocean, smiling. Woman in the center wearing a swimsuit. Names of people are unknown

Netflix, Netflix / Via youtube.com

Kitty and José got married in 1963. During their first trial, Erik and Lyle claimed that Kitty knew of the alleged abuse the boys endured at the hands of their father.

5.Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson

Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson with curly hair in a classic buttoned blazer speaks passionately in a courtroom scene
Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson with curly hair in a classic buttoned blazer speaks passionately in a courtroom scene
The real Leslie Abramson with curly hair shows a photo of a boy to Erik Menendez in a court
The real Leslie Abramson with curly hair shows a photo of a boy to Erik Menendez in a court

Netflix, Nick Ut / Associated Press

Abramson was Erik's attorney. She took the lead in defending Erik alongside Jill Lansing, who defended Lyle during their first murder trial.

In a 1990 Vanity Fair article about the Menendez brothers' murder trials, Abramson was described as the "most brilliant Los Angeles defense lawyer for death-row cases."

6.Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne

Nathan Lane, wearing glasses and a suit with a checkered shirt and tie, sits in a courtroom scene with other people in the background
Nathan Lane, wearing glasses and a suit with a checkered shirt and tie, sits in a courtroom scene with other people in the background
A courtroom audience seated during a trial, including Marcia Clark and Johnnie Cochran. Both are dressed in professional attire
A courtroom audience seated during a trial, including Marcia Clark and Johnnie Cochran. Both are dressed in professional attire

Netflix, Reed Saxon / Associated Press

Dunne was a journalist who notably covered the Menendez brothers' murder trial for Vanity Fair. He penned the notable piece titled "Nightmare on Elm Drive," where he detailed the murders.

Author Robert Rand, who wrote the book The Menendez Murders, recently called out Dunne for creating the "fantasy" that Erik and Lyle allegedly had an incestuous relationship.

7.Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth

Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth with shoulder-length hair in a blue blazer speaking in a courtroom, with an American flag in the background
Leslie Grossman as Judalon Smyth with shoulder-length hair in a blue blazer speaking in a courtroom, with an American flag in the background
The real Judalon Smyth sits at a witness stand, speaking into a microphone with the American flag in the background
The real Judalon Smyth sits at a witness stand, speaking into a microphone with the American flag in the background

Netflix, AP Photo / Pool / Reuters

Smyth was the girlfriend of Dr. L. Jerome Oziel. Prior to Erik and Lyle's arrests, she reportedly contacted the police and told them about the existence of recordings where the Menendez brothers "allegedly confessed to the murders of their parents," according to Vanity Fair.

Smyth even told the police that Lyle and Erik purchased the shotguns from a sporting goods store in San Diego.

She testified at their first trial.

8.Dallas Roberts as Dr. L. Jerome Oziel

Dallas Roberts as Dr. L. Jerome Oziel
Dallas Roberts as Dr. L. Jerome Oziel
From left to right, three people at a press conference. Central figure is the real Dr. L. Jerome Oziel
From left to right, three people at a press conference. Central figure is the real Dr. L. Jerome Oziel

Netflix, Reed Saxon / Associated Press

Oziel was a therapist Erik and Lyle were seeing, and he was having an affair with Judalon Smyth, who told the police about the recordings where Erik and Lyle allegedly confessed to the murders.

On the tapes heard in court, Lyle was reportedly heard telling Oziel, "There was no way I was going to make a decision to kill my mother without Erik's consent. I didn't even want to influence him in that issue."

The trial also apparently revealed that Oziel did not, in fact, turn the tapes over to the authorities but instead tried to extort money from Lyle and Erik by saying they should keep paying him because it would "be good for their defense" if they were ever on trial.

9.Nathen Gurrola as Andy Cano

Nathen Gurrola as Andy Cano intently engaged in a conversation, sits on a couch while a woman with long hair stands behind him with her arms crossed
Nathen Gurrola as Andy Cano intently engaged in a conversation, sits on a couch while a woman with long hair stands behind him with her arms crossed
The real Andy Cano on witness stand in a courtroom, wearing a dark suit and tie, speaking into a microphone
The real Andy Cano on witness stand in a courtroom, wearing a dark suit and tie, speaking into a microphone

Netflix, ABC News / Via youtu.be

Cano was the brothers' cousin, who reportedly testified that he knew about the alleged abuse they faced, namely Erik, who confided in Andy when he was 13 years old.

In 2023, new evidence was found reportedly corroborating Erik and Lyle's claims of abuse and killing their parents out of self-defense. A letter written by Erik to Cano in 1988 was found. Part of the letter reads, "I've been trying to avoid Dad. It's still happening, Andy, but it's worse for me now."

10.And finally, Jason Butler Harner as Det. Les Zoeller

Jason Butler Harner as Det. Les Zoeller, in a dress shirt and tie, stands in a well-lit room with wood-paneled walls, looking ahead with a serious expression
Jason Butler Harner as Det. Les Zoeller, in a dress shirt and tie, stands in a well-lit room with wood-paneled walls, looking ahead with a serious expression
The real Det. Les Zoellerestifies in a courtroom
The real Det. Les Zoellerestifies in a courtroom

Netflix, Court TV / Via youtube.com

Zoeller was the Beverly Hills PD detective in charge of the Menendez investigation. He also testified at their trial.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local center here. 

If you are concerned that a child is experiencing or may be in danger of abuse, you can call or text the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (4.A.CHILD); service can be provided in over 140 languages.

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