Rosie O'Donnell Stuns With Killer Confession

Rosie O'Donnell at a tailgate party before Barbra Streisand concert, 2006. Photo by Jason Chatting under CC BY 2.0.

Rosie O'Donnell has never shied away from controversy — but her latest confession has jaws dropping. The 63-year-old actress and comedian recently revealed that her closest friend is none other than Lyle Menendez, the man convicted of murdering his parents in one of the most infamous trials of the 1990s.

A Letter From Prison

Their relationship began with a letter in 1996, after O'Donnell publicly supported the Menendez brothers' defense. Lyle reached out from prison to thank her. O'Donnell, still a host on "The View," shared the note with Barbara Walters. "Rosie, he's a manipulator," Walters warned. "Don't respond to him. He's a manipulator and he's a murderer," as reported by PEOPLE.

She didn't reply. Not then.

When the Past Resurfaces

Years later, after a resurgence of public interest in the brothers' claims of abuse — sparked by a 2022 documentary — O'Donnell posted her support again on TikTok. This time, Lyle called. O'Donnell told The New York Times, "We talked for many hours that night. I came to know him in a really personal and emotional way," as reported by PEOPLE. Over the next two years, their friendship deepened with regular calls and visits.

Healing, From an Unlikely Source

O’Donnell, herself a survivor of childhood abuse, said Lyle helped her work through years of unresolved trauma. "For the first time in my life, I felt safe enough to trust and be vulnerable and love a straight man," she said to The New York Times, as reported by PEOPLE.

Their connection grew stronger during the pandemic, when O'Donnell was struggling to raise her child with autism, Clay. Lyle's voice was often heard on speakerphone. In one memorable moment, Clay told a visiting friend, "That's my mommy's friend, Lyle Menendez. He killed his mother and father. But they were very, very, very mean to him. We're lucky we don't have mean parents," according to PEOPLE.

A Dog, A Documentary, A New Chapter

Lyle encouraged O'Donnell to participate in a service dog program run by Guide Dogs of America — one he helped coordinate from prison. Although hesitant to leave her child for the 10-day training, Lyle convinced her. "Be brave and go, Ro. Just (expletive) go," he told her, according to PEOPLE.

The result? A life-changing bond between Clay and their service dog Kuma, now the star of O'Donnell's documentary "Unleashing Hope," which debuted on Hulu on April 22.

Despite the headlines and skepticism, Rosie O'Donnell has stood firm in her belief that her friendship with Lyle Menendez is real — and transformative. The man once labeled a manipulative murderer became a lifeline during her darkest hours.

References: Rosie O'Donnell Says Lyle Menendez 'Was Instrumental in Helping Me Heal a Lot of Stuff': 'One of My Closest Friends' (Exclusive) | Rosie O'Donnell says Lyle Menendez is the first 'straight man' she's 'loved' and 'trusted': Comedian and jailed killer are close friends | Rosie O'Donnell Details Her Surprising Relationship with Lyle Menendez — Including Why She Felt 'Love' for Him