Philippine Daily Inquirer

BROADWAY VET NICK CORDERO DIES FROM CORONAVIRU­S COMPLICATI­ONS

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actor Nick Cordero, who specialize­d in playing tough guys on Broadway in such shows as “Waitress,” “A Bronx Tale” and “Bullets Over Broadway,” has died in Los Angeles after suffering severe medical complicati­ons after contractin­g the coronaviru­s. He was 41.

Cordero died on Sunday at Cedars-sinai Hospital after more than 90 days in the hospital, according to his wife, Amanda Kloots. “God has another angel in heaven now,” she posted on Instagram. “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.”

Cordero entered the emergency room on March 30 and had a succession of health setbacks, including ministroke­s, 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 being explored.

Viola Davis was among those in mourning, 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.”

During Cordero’s hospitaliz­ation, Kloots sent him daily videos of her and their 1-yearold 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.

“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 lanky 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. The two married in 2017.

On the small screen, Cordero appeared in several episodes of “Blue Bloods” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

The virus has sickened other Broadway veterans, including 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.

 ??  ?? Cordero (left) and Jessie Mueller in the Broadway musical “Waitress”
NEW York—tony-nominated
Cordero (left) and Jessie Mueller in the Broadway musical “Waitress” NEW York—tony-nominated
 ??  ?? Nick Cordero
Nick Cordero

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