Cooper Koch isn’t just having a breakout year—he’s having the breakout year.
At 28, the actor has captured Hollywood’s attention with his deeply praised performance as Erik Menendez in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, earning both a 2025 Golden Globe nomination and a 2025 Emmy nomination. He’s also gearing up to star alongside Andrew Garfield in the sci-fi thriller Artificial, further cementing himself as one of the most exciting rising talents in the industry.
But while fans can’t get enough of his career, there’s one question they’ve been asking even more:
Who is Cooper Koch’s boyfriend in 2025?
Let’s dive into the confirmed details of Koch’s love life—and why his relationship has become one of Hollywood’s most adored.
Cooper Koch’s Boyfriend: Stuart McClave
In 2025, Cooper Koch is happily in a committed relationship with Stuart McClave, a 37-year-old filmmaker, director, writer, and producer. Their relationship has steadily moved into the public eye over the past year, and fans love the steady, affectionate, and supportive dynamic the couple shares.
A Big Red-Carpet Moment: The 2025 Golden Globes
Their relationship became unmistakably official on January 5, 2025, when Koch and McClave appeared together on the Golden Globes red carpet. Koch—nominated for his performance in Monsters—was glowing beside McClave. They arrived hand-in-hand, posed for photos, and exchanged warm, tender moments that quickly went viral.
Koch later shared that McClave helps keep him grounded in the midst of newfound fame. McClave, in turn, described how easy it is to support someone as authentic and kindhearted as Koch.
Another Highlight: The 2025 GLAAD Media Awards
On March 26, 2025, the couple appeared together again, this time at the GLAAD Media Awards. Koch served as a presenter, but fans couldn’t help focusing on the affectionate energy between them. Red-carpet photos showed the pair sharing sweet moments, clearly comfortable being openly together.
Who Is Stuart McClave?
McClave is an established filmmaker known for projects including:
- On the Line: The Richard Williams Story (2022 documentary)
- Various unscripted and documentary-style productions
- Creative work across directing, producing, and writing
His background makes him a natural fit for Koch’s artistic world—and fans love how aligned they seem in their creative passions.
How Their Relationship Became Public
While Koch and McClave didn’t announce their relationship outright, they did drop hints along the way.
October 2024 — The First Clue
During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Koch revealed he was dating someone but didn’t name them. Fans immediately began speculating.
November 2024 — The LACMA Art+Film Gala
The couple quietly attended the LACMA Art+Film Gala together, their first significant public outing. Fans quickly connected the dots.
A Ring That Sparked Rumors
Koch wore a ring on his left hand during the 2024 Emmy Awards, leading fans to wonder whether he and McClave were engaged. Koch later clarified that the ring:
- Was a family heirloom from his grandfather
- Symbolized his personal connection to McClave
- Did not mean they were engaged
He even joked that he enjoyed watching people speculate.
That playful openness has become part of what fans love most about him.
No Ex-Boyfriend Drama—Just a Healthy, Happy Relationship
Unlike many rising stars, Koch has no public history of messy breakups or ex-boyfriend scandals. There are no confirmed details about past partners, and no credible reports tie him to any former boyfriends.
His public romantic story begins—and happily continues—with Stuart McClave.
Why Fans Love Their Relationship
Koch’s relationship with McClave resonates with audiences because it feels:
- Authentic — grounded in shared values and creativity
- Supportive — McClave is often described as Koch’s emotional anchor
- Visible — without being overexposed
- Inspirational — especially for LGBTQ+ fans who appreciate seeing a healthy gay relationship represented in mainstream Hollywood
Koch’s advocacy for representation, his appearance at LGBTQ+ events, and his candid conversations about identity have made him a voice many young fans admire. Seeing him in a stable, loving partnership only strengthens that connection.
Fashion, Fame, and Public Persona
Cooper Koch has also made fashion headlines—without needing shock value to do it.
- At the 2025 Golden Globes, he and McClave stunned in sleek, coordinated suits.
- Koch’s May 2025 Calvin Klein underwear campaign showcased his confident, clean aesthetic, earning praise for its understated boldness.
These moments add to Koch’s fast-growing profile, but they never overshadow what fans notice most: his humility and warmth, emphasized by the steady presence of McClave by his side.
Public Appearances That Define Their Connection
Their relationship has been built around small but meaningful public appearances:
- Golden Globes (January 2025) — Their official relationship debut
- GLAAD Media Awards (March 2025) — Affirming their visibility as a gay couple
- LACMA Gala (November 2024) — The soft launch
- Various private industry events — Behind-the-scenes support for one another’s careers
In each instance, McClave comes across as a grounding influence for Koch—something Koch himself has confirmed.
Representation Matters: Why Their Love Story Matters
For many fans, Koch and McClave’s relationship represents:
- Healthy queer love in the spotlight
- Emotional maturity
- A balance between privacy and openness
- A refreshing contrast to Hollywood’s typical drama
The couple’s presence at LGBTQ+ events and Koch’s advocacy work have made their relationship feel meaningful on a cultural level, not just a romantic one.
What’s Next for Cooper Koch and Stuart McClave?
As Koch’s star rises—with Artificial on the way, plus additional projects like I Want Your Sex—fans will undoubtedly see more of the couple. There are no signs of any trouble or breakup rumors; everything points toward a strong and stable partnership.
Whether they’re walking red carpets, supporting each other at industry events, or keeping things private, Koch and McClave appear to be building something real and lasting.
Conclusion
In 2025, Cooper Koch is happily in a committed relationship with filmmaker Stuart McClave. Their connection—warm, steady, and supportive—has become one of the most heartwarming Hollywood love stories of the year.
From their Golden Globes debut to their appearances at LGBTQ+ events, the couple has embraced visibility while protecting the intimacy of their relationship. With no ex-boyfriend drama or conflicting narratives, their story is refreshingly straightforward.
As Koch’s career continues to climb, fans are excited not just for his performances, but also for the love story unfolding beside him.
Here’s to Cooper Koch and Stuart McClave—two artists thriving together, and a couple Hollywood is genuinely rooting for.