Tony Award-nominated Broadway actor Nick Cordero, who starred in hit musicals like Waitress, A Bronx Tale and Bullets Over Broadway, died in Los Angeles of serious medical complications after contracting coronavirus. He was 41 years old.
Cordero died Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Hospital after spending more than 90 days in hospital, according to his wife, Amanda Kloots. “God has another angel in heaven now,” he posted on Instagram. Nick was such a bright light. He was everyone’s friend, he loved to listen, help and especially talk. He was an incredible actor and musician. He loved his family and he loved being a father and a husband. “
Cordero entered the emergency room on March 30 and had a succession of health setbacks that included mini strokes, blood clots, sepsis infections, a tracheostomy, and a temporary pacemaker implant. He had been on a respirator and unconscious and had his right leg amputated. A double lung transplant was being explored.
Kloots sent him daily videos of her and her one-year-old son, Elvis, and urged friends and fans to join in a daily singing. She said it was difficult to know if Cordero understood what was happening, but when he was alert he could respond by looking up and down. A GoFundMe page to pay for medical expenses has raised over $ 600,000.
The industry has paid tribute to Cordero, and many people have asked people to donate. Cordero was very close to actor Zach Braff. “I can honestly tell you that I have never met a kinder human being,” Braff wrote on Twitter and Instagram. “Don’t think that Covid only claims the elderly and the sick.”
Zach Braff
(@zachbraff)Nick Cordero passed away today at 11:40 am with his mother and wife by his side. I can honestly tell you that I have never met a kinder human being. Don’t think that Covid only claims the elderly and sick.
I am very grateful for the time we had. “We will catch up at another time.” pic.twitter.com/Oq2a8QsIyHJuly 6, 2020
Music director and collaborator Michael J Moritz wrote: “I am very sad to lose such a wonderful friend and musical partner. Amanda will need all the support and love we can offer. “
Michael J Moritz Jr
(@MichaelJMoritz)I am so sad to lose such a wonderful friend and music partner, #NickCordero. Please consider donating to your GoFundMe / share. Amanda will need all the support and love that we can offer her. GoFundMe here -https: //t.co/4heD86hlO2.https: //t.co/usx6Mi3M1L
July 6, 2020
Jessie Mueller, who starred opposite Cordero in Waitress, posted “Heartbroken Doesn’t Even Cover It.”
Jessie Mueller News
(@jessiemnews)heartbroken doesn’t even cover it. sending a lot of love to amanda, elvis and their families. Many will miss him. truly desisted 💔 https://t.co/7ptkxwLP9m
July 6, 2020
Cordero played Earl in the Broadway hit Waitress, and the role of Sonny in Chazz Palminteri’s A Bronx Tale. She met Kloots while starring in Bullets Over Broadway, a 2014 theatrical adaptation of the 1994 Woody Allen film, in which she also starred. Cordero was nominated for a Tony for his role as Cheech. The two were married in 2017.
Cordero also appeared in several episodes of Blue Bloods and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and had a role in the 2017 film Going in Style.
He was last on stage at a presentation of the Little Shop of Horrors Kennedy Center.
Other Broadway actors who have been infected with coronaviruses are Danny Burstein, Tony Shalhoub, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Gavin Creel, Aaron Tveit, and Laura Bell Bundy. Tony-winning playwright Terrence McNally died in March of complications from the virus.
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