Koch recently revealed on Andy Cohen’s talk show that he had a boyfriend, but went public with McClave at an LA event only this month; there were rumours that the couple had even married.
There’s been a lot of talk about the infamous Menendez brothers since the release of Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which follows the case of the brothers accused of their parents’ murders and the subsequent trial. Now, as the pair face a potential resentencing that could see them released from jail on parole, actor Cooper Koch, who plays Erik, is voicing his support.
But that’s not the only reason the 28-year-old actor is making headlines. He was recently spotted at the LACMA Art+Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art with his boyfriend, Stuart McClave and Kim Kardashian, who is involved in prison reform and has spoken out about the Menendez case.
Stuart McClave (left), Kim Kardashian and Cooper Koch at the recent LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles. Photo: Getty Images
But what do we know about the up-and-coming actor’s boyfriend? Here’s the low down on Stuart McClave.
Stuart McClave and Cooper Koch went public this month
Actor Cooper Koch attends the fourth annual Academy Museum Gala at the Academy Museum, Los Angeles, in October. Photo: EPA-EFE
Even before they walked the red carpet at the LACMA Art+Film Gala this month, speculation about Koch and McClave’s relationship was rife. In an episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on October 14, Koch, who is openly gay, was asked by a fan if he had a boyfriend, “and if not, has your dating life changed since Monsters came out?” The actor replied, “Good question. I do have a boyfriend, so … sorry!”
Soon after the episode aired, Gazette Direct released an article speculating that the boyfriend in question was filmmaker Stuart McClave. Since Koch doesn’t appear to be active on social media, the couple’s appearance at the gala event served as confirmation of their relationship.
Stuart McClave is a Hollywood filmmaker
On The Line: The Richard Williams Story | Official Trailer
McClave, nearly a decade older than his movie-star boyfriend, is a documentary filmmaker. His most recent and prominent work is the 2022 film On The Line: The Richard Williams Story, a documentary centred on the father of tennis aces Serena and Venus Williams.
He is an avid tennis player
Director Stuart McClave attends the premiere of On the Line: The Richard Williams Story, during the 2022 Tribeca Festival in New York. Photo: Getty Images
In a 2023 interview, McClave revealed that he grew up in a tennis family that had long been fans of the Williamses. “Tennis was my first love and my family were all obsessed with the Williams family,” he said. “And you know, we’re from southern California, as were they and so we were just always rooting for them, going to the tournaments – driving 300 miles to go to tournaments.”
McClave’s family’s experience gave him unique insights that helped him when it came to shooting On The Line … As well as being involved in tennis and following the Williams clan, McClave saw how his adopted sister, who is black, handled being around the mostly “white, affluent sport”.
There were rumours he had married Cooper Koch
Cooper Koch at the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story, at the Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood, in September. Photo: TNS
While not much is known about the McClave and Koch relationship, for a brief period, after Koch was seen sporting a ring on his left hand, fans speculated that the pair had married.
Koch has been seen with the supposed “wedding band” on several occasions and also appeared to be wearing it when he confirmed that he was in a relationship.
However, a source reportedly disclosed to the media that rumours of a wedding were false. “I talked to someone that knows them, they didn’t know anything about the ring, and there has been no wedding,” the source said.
