Broadway Stars Are Remembering Nick Cordero, Who Died After a 3-Month Fight With Coronavirus

Broadway Stars Are Remembering Nick Cordero, Who Died After a 3-Month Fight With Coronavir

Cordero was only 41 years old.

On Sunday, July 5th, Broadway star Nick Cordero died at age 41 after battling coronavirus (COVID-19) for more than three months. Cordero had entered intensive care at the end of March with a pneumonia diagnosis and later tested positive for COVID-19 after two initial negative tests. Cordero’s wife, Amanda Kloots, kept fans and followers updated on Cordero’s health since his hospitalization, and she announced yesterday that he had passed.

“God has another angel in heaven now,” Kloots began in the caption of a July 5th Instagram post. “My darling husband passed away this morning. He was surrounded in love by his family, singing and praying as he gently left this earth.”

She continued, “I am in disbelief and hurting everywhere. My heart is broken as I cannot imagine our lives without him. 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. Elvis and I will miss him in everything we do, everyday.”

Kloots thanked Cordero’s doctor, Dr. David Ng at Los Angeles’s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, as well as all the friends, family, and fans who have rallied around her, Cordero, and their baby son Elvis within the last 95 days. “You have no idea how much you lifted my spirits at 3pm everyday as the world sang Nicks song, Live Your Life.”

Now, Cordero’s fellow Broadway stars are reaching out and sending their condolences to his family.

Sara Bareilles, who starred alongside Cordero in Waitress (and who, herself, contracted coronavirus), posted to Instagram, “He was light. Kind and gentle. Talented and humble. Funny and friendly. The best laugh.”

She added, “Sending so much love to the love warrior @amandakloots and little Elvis, and an immense hug to any one who is feeling the loss of this giant heart. Rest In Peace dear Nick. We love you.”

Waitress costar Jenna Ushkowitz posted to Twitter “Devastated,” after hearing of Cordero’s passing on July 5th.

She, Bareilles, and their Waitress castmates—including Jessie Mueller, Eric Anderson, Kimiko Glenn, Drew Gehling, Keala Settle, Fran Curry, Charity Angel Dawson, Christopher Fitzgerald, Becky Fleming, and Thomas Gates—gathered virtually in April to perform a cover of Cordero’s “Live Your Life,” which, as Kloots referenced, became the anthem for those sending prayers and well wishes to Cordero during his fight.

Kimiko Glenn posted, “I am so lucky to have known you. I remember how much your spontaneous energy made me laugh, how the day Prince died you came into our dressing room in silence and I felt your big beautiful heart breaking. Now my heart breaks for you and your family.”

Glenn also reminded those reading that Cordero’s untimely passing should scare us into continuing to adhere to coronavirus-related guidelines. “As the world gets tired of mask-wearing and social distancing measures, I urge you to remember his story,” she wrote.

Drew Gehling also posted a tribute, writing, “Nick made work fun every day...’ll miss you always my friend. I’m lucky to have known you. I’m certainly better for it.”

Other Broadway greats, including Bernadette Peters, Viola Davis, and Josh Gad, sent their condolences over social media.

There is currently a GoFundMe page up for Cordero’s family that has already exceeded its $400,000 goal. We’re sending our condolences to Kloots and Cordero’s extended family. Please continue to wear your masks and practice social distancing.

As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, HelloGiggles is committed to providing accurate and helpful coverage to our readers. As such, some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, we encourage you to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments, and visit our coronavirus hub.