6 facts about “Monsters” star Nicholas Alexander Chavez

Monster and Chavez's performance as convicted murderer Lyle Menendez have racked up more than 31 million views and counting. Even more viewers get to know Chavez as Father Charlie Mayhew grotesquewhich debuted on September 25th.

Here's a look at how the young TV actor became one of fall's breakout stars.

Chavez was drawn to performing since he was a child

Although Chavez was born in Houston, he grew up primarily in Denver.

In an interview with Soap Central, Chavez explained that before he truly understood what acting was as a child, he was fascinated by the blessing of the Eucharist, which he witnessed while attending Catholic mass with his family. He recreated the practice at home using a loaf of bread and fruit punch.

As he grew older, Chavez participated in local choirs and began pursuing acting seriously in high school. He told Netflix Tudum He was a member of the speech and debate team and competed in competitions across the country before switching to theater in his junior year. He played Atticus Finch in a production of To kill a mockingbirdbased on the novel by Harper Lee.

“It happened in a funny way because the boy who was supposed to play Atticus got sick a few weeks before the premiere and the director asked if I could take his place,” Chavez said. “A lot of people from the faculty came to watch the show and they really gave me very positive feedback and suggested that I think about doing this as my career.”

He was a car and insurance salesman

Chavez attended the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. After his second year, he dropped out and moved from New Jersey to Los Angeles to begin his career. He initially worked for the food delivery service Postmates and did other odd jobs to make money.

But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, forcing Chavez to move to Florida, where his father lived. The eliminated actor worked as a car and life insurance salesman. “There's probably not a product under the sun that I haven't tried to sell – it really prepares you well for hearing all the no's that sometimes come with acting, especially in the early days of trying Make a name for yourself,” Chavez said.

The actor admitted he was frustrated by his lack of acting opportunities, but knew he had “meaningful stories in my soul” that he wanted to tell. It wouldn't be long before Chávez made his big break

He's already an Emmy winner

Nicholas Alexander Chavez accepts his Daytime Emmy Award in June 2022.

Things looked up for Chávez as the calendar turned to 2021. He submitted a home-recorded audition for the long-running soap opera General Hospital. Accordingly Soap Opera Digesthis reel was so impressive that it earned him an in-person tryout in California General Hospital Star Maura West. Chavez impressed the production team and made his debut on the show as Spencer Cassadine on July 1 of the same year.

Chavez impressed both viewers and critics; In 2022, he won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Young Actor in a Drama Series. During his acceptance speech, the actor became emotional as he recalled his struggles during the pandemic. “I have always had the love and support of my family, but none of us ever imagined that I would be standing on this stage speaking to you today,” he said.

Chavez remained in the role until January 2024 and has indicated that he is open to returning to the series in some capacity despite his character's death. “Port Charles is a crazy place,” he told TV Line. “We’ll have to see what happens.”

He has already worked several times as an actor

Although Chavez only has four acting credits on IMDb, he has worked on concurrent projects before. While he was on General HospitalChavez appeared in the 2022 comedy Tubi Crushed. This is his only film role to date.

“I shot the film from 5pm to 5am and then tried to get an hour's sleep before I went on set GH at 7 a.m. and then work until about noon,” he told Soap Central.

Despite the demanding schedule, Chavez said he “had an absolute blast and had the time of my life” filming the raunchy teen romance. However, his next role was no laughing matter.

Chavez clicked immediately Monster Co-star Cooper Koch

Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez played brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez Monster.

Chavez joined the cast of Monster in 2023. He explained diversity that his final audition with co-star Cooper Koch, who played younger brother Erik Menendez on the series, helped secure the role.

“When you go to a callback, there are usually four or five other people playing the role. But it was just Cooper and me,” he said. “We went there and did the scenes. I think with Cooper it felt electric straight away. Ryan (Murphy) called us two days later to tell us that if he couldn’t make it with us, he wouldn’t do the show.”

Once it was official, Chávez committed himself fully to the role, reading, watching and hearing everything he could about the infamous brothers, who were convicted of the brutal murder of their parents José and Kitty in August 1989.

In contrast to Koch, who visited Erik in prison days later Monster started streamingChavez did not interact directly with his real counterpart. “I realized that as an artist it's important to have the grace to release characters after they're finished,” he said. “That’s a big part of the job, and I kind of stick with that.”

Chavez doesn't just limit himself to acting

In September 2024, Chavez signed with CAA, a major talent agency. While he is clearly an actor on the rise, with the success of Monster and debut of Grosteskeriehe doesn't limit himself to television – or even just stay in front of the camera.

A recent visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art got him thinking about his future. “When I was there, I wrote down this: 'I am determined to make a significant contribution to art and to the world in my career,' and I'm really curious to find out what that means for me,” Chávez said Tudum. “I will find my own way and use the time I have on earth wisely.”

Tyler Piccotti joined for the first time Biography.com He was named Associate News Editor in February 2023 and previously worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for nearly eight years. He is a graduate of Syracuse University. When he's not writing and researching his next story, you can find him at the nearest amusement park, watching the latest movie, or cheering on his favorite sports teams.