Nick Cordero dead: Broadway star dies aged 41 after 90-day hospital battle with coronavirus

Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Broadway star Nick Cordero has died at the age of 41 after a three-month-long hospital battle with coronavirus.

The Tony Award-nominated actor died on Sunday at Cedars Sinair hospital in Los Angeles, his wife Amanda Kloots said.

The father-of-one, who often in played tough guys on Broadway in such shows as "Waitress," "A Bronx Tale" and "Bullets Over Broadway," had suffered severe medical complications after contracting Covid-19, including the amputation of his right leg.

His wife posted a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram, saying: "God has another angel in heaven now.

"Nick was such a bright light. He was everyone's friend, loved to listen, help and especially talk. He was an incredible actor and musician. He loved his family and loved being a father and husband."

His close friend, Scrubs actor Zach Braff, was among those who remembered the actor, writing on Twitter: "Nick Cordero passed at 11:40am today with his mother and wife by his side. I can honesty tell you I have never met a kinder human being.

"Don’t believe that Covid only claims the elderly and infirm. I am so grateful for the time we had."

Cordero entered the emergency room on March 30.

Nick Cordero with his wife Amanda Kloots and their son on Instagram (Instagram/AmandaKloots)
Nick Cordero with his wife Amanda Kloots and their son on Instagram (Instagram/AmandaKloots)

But he soon had a succession of health setbacks, including mini-strokes, blood clots, septic infections, a tracheostomy and a temporary pacemaker implanted.

He had been on a ventilator and unconscious and had his right leg amputated. A double lung transplant was also being explored.

Nick Cordero with his wife and son (Getty Images for Beyond Yoga)
Nick Cordero with his wife and son (Getty Images for Beyond Yoga)

Viola Davis also paid tribute to the star, writing to his widow and child that "my heart is with you all."

Fellow Broadway actress and president of Actors' Equity Association Kate Shindle wrote on Twitter that she was "heartbroken for his family and deeply saddened by the loss of this talented and widely loved actor."

Sylvester Stallone also sent a video with best wishes.

And Actor Mario Cantone said: "Rest In Peace Nick Cordero. One of the great ones."

During Cordero's hospitalisation, his wife sent him daily videos of her and their 1-year-old son, Elvis, so he could see them if he woke up, and urged friends and fans to join a daily sing-a-long.

A GoFundMe page to pay for medical expenses has raised over $600,000.

The Tony-nominated actor has died aged 41 ()
The Tony-nominated actor has died aged 41 ()

"I tell him, I say, 'You're gonna walk out of this hospital, honey. I believe it. I know you can,"' she told "CBS This Morning" this summer.

"'We're gonna dance again. You're gonna hold your son again.' My line is, 'Don't get lost. Get focused."'

The two married in 2017. Castmembers from "Waitress" — Jessie Mueller, Keala Settle, Kimik Glenn and songwriter Sara Bareilles — helped raise money for Cordero by covering his song "Live Your Life."

Kloots had said that it was difficult to tell whether Cordero understood happened to him, but said he could respond to commands by looking up and down when he was alert.

Cordero originated the menacing role of husband Earl opposite his estranged wife, played by Jessie Mueller, in "Waitress" as well as the role of Sonny in Chazz Palminteri's "A Bronx Tale."

It was at "Bullets Over Broadway" where Cordero met his wife.

Her husband played a mob soldier with a flare for the dramatic in Broadway's Woody Allen 1994 film adaptation of "Bullets Over Broadway," for which he received a Tony nomination for best-featured actor in a musical.

He and his family moved to Los Angeles to star in "Rock of Ages."

On the small screen, Cordero appeared in several episodes of "Blue Bloods" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and he had a role in the film "Going in Style."

Cordero was last onstage in a Kennedy Center presentation of
Cordero was last onstage in a Kennedy Center presentation of

Actor and guitarist for Bruce Springsteen Stevie Van Zandt offered Cordero his first TV acting gig in the final episode of "Lilyhammer."

After he was hospitalised, Van Zandt teamed up with Constantine Maroulis and Vincent Pastore to make a video performing "Live Your Life."

Cordero was last onstage in a Kennedy Center presentation of "Littler Shop of Horrors."

His off-Broadway credits include "The Toxic Avenger" and "Brooklynite."

Other Broadway veterans have also contracted the virus, including the actors Danny Burstein, Tony Shalhoub, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Gavin Creel, Aaron Tveit and Laura Bell Bundy as well as composer David Bryan.

It has also claimed the life of Tony-winning playwright Terrence McNally.

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