Nick Cordero dies at 41 after painful battle with Covid-19, fans say 'your fight was arduous and brave'
Nick Cordero, Tony-nominated actor known for his work in 'Bullets Over Broadway', 'Waitress and A Bronx Tale the Musical', died on Sunday (July 5) after a grueling battle with the coronavirus, his wife announced. He was 41.
After initially being diagnosed with pneumonia in late March, the Canadian actor had spent weeks in intensive care at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He had his right leg amputated, lost more than 60 pounds and was hoping to receive a double-lung transplant.
He is survived by his wife, fitness instructor and former Broadway dancer Amanda Kloots, who had given extensive updates about his struggles with the disease on Instagram, as well as their son Elvis, who was born last year. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.
"God has another angel in heaven now," Kloots wrote on Instagram. "My darling husband passed away this morning. He was surrounded in love by his family, singing and praying as he gently left this earth. "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."
Cordero made a name for himself after he came to LA to star as Bourbon Room owner Dennis Dupree in the adaptation of the long-running Broadway hit 'Rock of Ages' in a new space on Hollywood Boulevard. It was in 2014 when, Cordero received a Tony nomination and a Theatre World award for his tap-dancing outing as the ghostwriting crook Cheech in the musical adaptation of Woody Allen's' Bullets Over Broadway'. In 2016, Cordero played the role of Earl Hunterson, in 'Waitress'', then left after a few months to star as Sonny in 'A Bronx Tale the Musical', co-directed by Robert De Niro.
Born on September 17, 1978, in Hamilton, Ontario, Cordero attended Ryerson University in Toronto for two years before deciding to leave in a rock band called Lovemethod. "My parents were trying to put two other kids through college, so they were like, 'Great!'" he had laughed about this in a 2014 interview. On television, Cordero played the role of Victor Lugo, who led a gang of car thieves, on three episodes of the CBS drama 'Blue Bloods'. In films, he was seen in 'Going In Style' directed by 'Bullets Over Broadway' co-star Zach Braff.
Fans are in shock over the news and are expressing grief on Twitter. Actress Viola Davis wrote, "RIP Nick Cordero! My condolences to you Amanda who fought and loved so hard....so sorry for his little one. My heart is with you. May flights of angels..... " Comedian-writer Travon Free wrote how infuriating it was that no one was taking coronavirus seriously. "The Nick Cordero story is so sad and makes it even more infuriating how so many people don't take coronavirus seriously," he wrote.
" Have been following the posts about Nick. I'm so sad because of this loss. Prayers to his wife and child. Broadway Star Nick Cordero Dies at 41 After Over 90 Days in Hospital from Coronavirus Complications," a fan wrote. "RIP Nick Cordero. You were incredible in Waitress and such a talented actor. You will be missed," another wrote. "RIP Nick Cordero. Your fight was long, arduous and brave," one tweeted."Rest In Peace to Broadway Star Nick Cordero! He sure fought a hard battle with the virus indeed! Well miss you!" another wrote.
"God this one hurts so much Nick Cordero was an amazing, talented sweet man/dad/father and he put up a hell of a fight against COVID-19 and I prayed everyday for him and his wife Amanda who stood by his side every second and I can’t stop crying thinking about her and his child," one wrote.