Rosie O’Donnell opened up about her friendship with imprisoned killer Lyle Menendez.
The 63-year-old comedian struck up an unexpected friendship with one of the two Menendez brothers who were convicted for the murder of their parents.
She admitted that she talks to the convicted murderer ‘about two to three times a week,’ according to Page Six.
O’Donnell said that they bonded over dogs, and this comes after she confessed that the infamous killer is the first straight man she has ever trusted and loved.
He and his younger brother Erik Menendez are still serving life sentences without parole for the murders of their parents in 1989.
O’Donnell previously revealed she reached out to Menendez in 2022 after watching a documentary about their harrowing story.
Rosie O’Donnell opened up about her friendship with imprisoned killer Lyle Menendez; pictured October 2024 in Los Angeles
The 63-year-old comedian struck up an unexpected friendship with one of the two Menendez brothers who were convicted for the murder of their parents
This comes as the Menendez brothers are seeking resentencing and potentially earlier release due to newly emerged evidence alleging childhood sexual abuse by their brother.
O’Donnell is hopeful that they could receive a retrial and potentially be released in the near future.
‘I’m sure of it in my mind,’ she told the outlet. ‘I have to be.’
She added: I think it’s the only way that you can love and care for someone who’s serving life without parole, is to have endless hope and believe in their ability to get out of this really inhumane sentence.’
In addition to their frequent phone calls, O’Donnell also visits Menendez whenever she has the chance.
She revealed that during one particular visit, she learned about a service dog program at the prison.
She recalled Menendez explaining to her that the dogs were being trained by incarcerated men to help children with autism.
He also suggested that O’Donnell get a dog for her youngest child Clay, who is on the spectrum.
She admitted that she talks to the convicted murderer ‘about two to three times a week’; pictured October 2024 in Los Angeles
He and his younger brother Erik Menendez are still serving life sentences without parole for the murders of their parents in 1989. O’Donnell previously revealed she reached out to Menendez in 2022 after watching a documentary about their harrowing story; pictured December 1992 in Los Angeles
In addition to their frequent phone calls, O’Donnell also visits Menendez whenever she has the chance. She revealed that during one particular visit, she learned about a service dog program at the prison
She recalled Menendez explaining to her that the dogs were being trained by incarcerated men to help children with autism. He also suggested that O’Donnell get a dog for her youngest child Clay, who is on the spectrum
O’Donnell said the following year, 12-year-old Clay, who goes by they/them pronouns, matched with and brought home a black Labrador mix named Kuma. The actress said that since then, she has seen Clay’s life change
O’Donnell said the following year, 12-year-old Clay, who goes by they/them pronouns, matched with and brought home a black Labrador mix named Kuma.
The actress said that since then, she has seen Clay’s life change.
‘The drawings of people with bloody hands and knives have all stopped,’ O’Donnell shared.
‘The laughter has come back, the brightness in their eyes, the ability to go out to restaurants, the ability to stay present and not disappear into themselves, usually because Kuma is coming over and nudging them.’
O’Donnell, who recently moved to Ireland with Clay, has since produced a documentary about the service dog program.
Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children with Autism is now available to stream on Hulu.
