Advertisement

Broadway Star Nick Cordero Dies At 41 After Months-Long Coronavirus Battle

Broadway actor Nick Cordero has died from coronavirus complications after a battle with the virus that lasted more than 90 days and included an amputated leg and weeks in a medically-induced coma. He was 41 years old.

Cordero, who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2014 for his performance in “Bullets Over Broadway,” died on Sunday morning, his wife Amanda Kloots wrote on Instagram. He was hospitalized for months at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he was performing in “Rock of Ages” before falling ill in March.

“God has another angel in heaven now,” Kloots wrote Sunday evening. “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,” she continued.

Cordero’s son Elvis Eduardo is 1 year old.

Kloots, a former Radio City Rockette, thanked Cordero’s “extraordinary doctor” Dr. David Ng, whom she said was “kind, compassionate, assertive and always eager to listen to my crazy ideas or call yet another doctor for me for a second opinion.”

She also thanked all those who contributed to the “outpour of love, support and help we’ve received these 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,” she wrote. “We sang it to him today, holding his hands. As I sang the last line to him, ‘they’ll give you hell but don’t you light them kill your light not without a fight. Live your life,’ I smiled because he definitely put up a fight. I will love you forever and always my sweet man.”

Kloots, who provided regular updates about her husband’s condition, had previously revealed that her husband got sick on March 20th. He entered the intensive care unit on March 31.

Two weeks later, his right leg was amputated because of blood clots, Kloots said. Over the course of his hospitalization, he lost 65 pounds and endured septic shock, two “mini strokes,” kidney dialysis, and the insertion of a temporary pacemaker. He was awake on May 13 after being placed into a medically induced coma weeks earlier, Kloots said in an update at the time.

Kloots was unable see her husband for 79 days due to COVID-19 restrictions at the hospital. Last week, she told “CBS This Morning” that while her husband had since tested negative for coronavirus and was awake from his coma, he was still critically ill and would likely need a double lung transplant.

Zach Braff, a close family friend of Cordero and Kloots, said in a social media tribute that Cordero died with his mother and wife by his side.

“I can honesty tell you I have never met a kinder human being,” he wrote. “Don’t believe that Covid only claims the elderly and infirm. I am so grateful for the time we had. ‘We’ll catch up some other time.’”

A HuffPost Guide To Coronavirus

Also on HuffPost

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

Lynn Shelton

Lynn Shelton, who directed “Humpday” and “Little Fires Everywhere” and was a  leading voice of the new American independent cinema movement, died on May 15, 2020. She was 54. 
Lynn Shelton, who directed “Humpday” and “Little Fires Everywhere” and was a leading voice of the new American independent cinema movement, died on May 15, 2020. She was 54.

Fred Willard

Fred Willard, the comedic actor who appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows, including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Best In Show” and “Everybody Loves Raymond,” died on May 15, 2020. He was 86.
Fred Willard, the comedic actor who appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows, including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Best In Show” and “Everybody Loves Raymond,” died on May 15, 2020. He was 86.

Jerry Stiller

Jerry Stiller, the comedic legend who played hilariously crusty fathers on “Seinfeld” and “The King Of Queens,” and was the actual father to actor Ben Stiller, died on May 11, 2020 at 92.
Jerry Stiller, the comedic legend who played hilariously crusty fathers on “Seinfeld” and “The King Of Queens,” and was the actual father to actor Ben Stiller, died on May 11, 2020 at 92.

Betty Wright

Betty Wright, the Grammy-winning soul singer and songwriter whose influential 1970s hits included “Clean Up Woman” and “Where is the Love,” died on May 10, 2020 at age 66.
Betty Wright, the Grammy-winning soul singer and songwriter whose influential 1970s hits included “Clean Up Woman” and “Where is the Love,” died on May 10, 2020 at age 66.

Little Richard

Rock ’n’ roll star Little Richard, who was famed for his flamboyant style and inimitable singing and sold more than 30 million records worldwide, died on May 9, 2020 at the age of 87.
Rock ’n’ roll star Little Richard, who was famed for his flamboyant style and inimitable singing and sold more than 30 million records worldwide, died on May 9, 2020 at the age of 87.

Roy Horn

Roy Horn, half of the megastar illusionist team of Siegfried and Roy who was once attacked by one of his tigers used in their act, died on May 8, 2020. He was 75.
Roy Horn, half of the megastar illusionist team of Siegfried and Roy who was once attacked by one of his tigers used in their act, died on May 8, 2020. He was 75.

Shirley Knight

Actress Shirley Knight, who was nominated for two Oscars early in her career and went on to play an astonishing variety of roles in movies, TV and the stage, died on April 22, 2020. She was 83.
Actress Shirley Knight, who was nominated for two Oscars early in her career and went on to play an astonishing variety of roles in movies, TV and the stage, died on April 22, 2020. She was 83.

Brian Dennehy

Brian Dennehy, a versatile stage and screen actor known for action movies, comedies and classics, but especially for his Tony Award-winning performances in “Death of a Salesman” in 1999 and “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” in 2003, died on April 15, 2020. He was 81.
Brian Dennehy, a versatile stage and screen actor known for action movies, comedies and classics, but especially for his Tony Award-winning performances in “Death of a Salesman” in 1999 and “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” in 2003, died on April 15, 2020. He was 81.

Hal Willner

Music producer Hal Willner, who for decades selected the music used in "Saturday Night Live" sketches, died on April 7, 2020, one day after his 64th birthday.
Music producer Hal Willner, who for decades selected the music used in "Saturday Night Live" sketches, died on April 7, 2020, one day after his 64th birthday.

Ellis Marsalis Jr.

Ellis Marsalis Jr., jazz pianist, teacher and patriarch of a New Orleans musical clan that includes famed performer sons Wynton and Branford, died on April 1, 2020. He was 85.
Ellis Marsalis Jr., jazz pianist, teacher and patriarch of a New Orleans musical clan that includes famed performer sons Wynton and Branford, died on April 1, 2020. He was 85.

Adam Schlesinger

Songwriter Adam Schlesinger, who was best known for composing “Stacy’s Mom” — a 2003 hit for Fountains of Wayne, the band he co-founded — as well as the songs for the TV show “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” for which he won three Emmy Awards, died on April 1, 2020 at 52.
Songwriter Adam Schlesinger, who was best known for composing “Stacy’s Mom” — a 2003 hit for Fountains of Wayne, the band he co-founded — as well as the songs for the TV show “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” for which he won three Emmy Awards, died on April 1, 2020 at 52.

Bill Withers

Bill Withers, who wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including “ Lean On Me, ” “Lovely Day” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” died on March 30, 2020. He was 81.
Bill Withers, who wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including “ Lean On Me, ” “Lovely Day” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” died on March 30, 2020. He was 81.

Alan Merrill

Alan Merrill, who wrote the song “I Love Rock and Roll” that became a signature hit for fellow rocker Joan Jett, died on March 29, 2020. He was 69.
Alan Merrill, who wrote the song “I Love Rock and Roll” that became a signature hit for fellow rocker Joan Jett, died on March 29, 2020. He was 69.

Mark Blum

Mark Blum, 69, a veteran character actor who starred in the films “Desperately Seeking Susan” and “Crocodile Dundee,” as well as the recent Netflix series “You,” died on March 25, 2020.
Mark Blum, 69, a veteran character actor who starred in the films “Desperately Seeking Susan” and “Crocodile Dundee,” as well as the recent Netflix series “You,” died on March 25, 2020.

Stuart Gordon

Director Stuart Gordon, who was best known as the filmmaker behind such cult classics as “Re-Animator” and “From Beyond,” died on March 24, 2020. He was 72.
Director Stuart Gordon, who was best known as the filmmaker behind such cult classics as “Re-Animator” and “From Beyond,” died on March 24, 2020. He was 72.

Kenny Rogers

Country music legend Kenny Rogers, who sold more than 100 million records in a career that spanned decades, died on March 20, 2020 at 81.
Country music legend Kenny Rogers, who sold more than 100 million records in a career that spanned decades, died on March 20, 2020 at 81.

James Lipton

Emmy Award winner James Lipton, the influential drama dean who for more than two decades hosted revealing conversations about the acting craft on “Inside the Actors Studio,” died on March 2, 2020. He was 93.
Emmy Award winner James Lipton, the influential drama dean who for more than two decades hosted revealing conversations about the acting craft on “Inside the Actors Studio,” died on March 2, 2020. He was 93.

Ja’Net DuBois

Actor Ja’Net DuBois, who played the vivacious neighbor Willona Woods on “Good Times” and composed and sang the theme song for “The Jeffersons,”  died on February 17, 2020. She was 74.
Actor Ja’Net DuBois, who played the vivacious neighbor Willona Woods on “Good Times” and composed and sang the theme song for “The Jeffersons,” died on February 17, 2020. She was 74.

Kellye Nakahara

Actor Kellye Nakahara, who was best known for playing Nurse Kellye on the hit TV show "M*A*S*H," died on Feb. 16, 2020. She was 72.
Actor Kellye Nakahara, who was best known for playing Nurse Kellye on the hit TV show "M*A*S*H," died on Feb. 16, 2020. She was 72.

Orson Bean

Orson Bean, the veteran actor and comedian who appeared in a number of films and starred in several top Broadway productions, receiving a Tony nod for the 1962 Comden-Green musical “Subways Are for Sleeping," died on February 7, 2020. He was 91.
Orson Bean, the veteran actor and comedian who appeared in a number of films and starred in several top Broadway productions, receiving a Tony nod for the 1962 Comden-Green musical “Subways Are for Sleeping," died on February 7, 2020. He was 91.

Kirk Douglas

Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, whose rugged good looks made him a commanding presence in films like “Lust for Life,” “Spartacus” and “Paths of Glory,” died on February 5, 2020. He was 103.
Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, whose rugged good looks made him a commanding presence in films like “Lust for Life,” “Spartacus” and “Paths of Glory,” died on February 5, 2020. He was 103.

Terry Jones

Monty Python co-founder and comedian Terry Jones died on January 21, 2020 at the age of 77.
Monty Python co-founder and comedian Terry Jones died on January 21, 2020 at the age of 77.

Buck Henry

Buck Henry, the legendary screenwriter of “The Graduate” and the Emmy-winning co-creator of TV’s spy spoof “Get Smart,” died on January 8, 2020. He was 89.
Buck Henry, the legendary screenwriter of “The Graduate” and the Emmy-winning co-creator of TV’s spy spoof “Get Smart,” died on January 8, 2020. He was 89.

Silvio Horta

Silvio Horta, the creator and executive producer of ABC’s much-loved “Ugly Betty” series, died on January 7, 2020 at 45.
Silvio Horta, the creator and executive producer of ABC’s much-loved “Ugly Betty” series, died on January 7, 2020 at 45.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.