Stars pay tribute to the life of Broadway actor Nick Cordero after long battle with COVID-19
Tributes flooded in for Broadway star Nick Cordero after his death on Sunday at age 41.
Cordero battled complications from COVID-19 for three months, and his wife, fitness trainer Amanda Kloots, regularly shared her husband's health updates with his fans and followers throughout his fight.
The Tony Award nominee had been on a ventilator in a Los Angeles hospital since early April after going to the emergency room for what he thought was pneumonia. While hospitalized, Cordero suffered from multiple infections, sustained lung damage, spent time in a medically induced coma and required a leg amputation, among other health issues.
In a devastating message announcing her husband's death, Kloots wrote, "God has another angel in heaven now."
Friends and performers paid tribute to the "Bullets Over Broadway" star with poignant messages. Zach Braff, a close friend of Cordero's, shared a photo of the Broadway star with Kloots, and reflected on his passing.
"I have honestly never known a kinder person," Braff wrote. "But Covid doesn't care about the purity of your soul, or the goodness in your heart."
"The last thing he ever texted me was to look out for his wife and one year old son, Elvis," the actor's tribute continued. "I promise the world they will never want for anything. I feel so incredibly grateful I got to have Nick Cordero enter my life."
Florence Pugh, Braff's partner, shared a video of Cordero performing onstage in April 2019. Pugh wrote that Cordero was, "the ONLY person who can ease so effortlessly from 'What A Wonderful World' to Coldplay's 'Politik', all the while singing directly across the room to Amanda."
She pleaded with her fan base to take the coronavirus seriously. "Over the last few months I've wanted to ask myself every day- what can I do to help? But, instead I'll ask all of you. What can WE do to help?" the actress wrote in the caption of her post.
"Help the world by continuing to take this virus seriously," she continued. "Wear your mask, respect others' space, clean your hands and please be safe. This is far from over."
Lin-Manuel Miranda mourned the loss of Cordero in a tweet. "Devastating. What a loss, what a light. Whole heart with Amanda and his family tonight," he wrote.
Miranda also shared a link to financially support Kloots and the couple's son 1-year-old son, Elvis, on his official Twitter.
Viola Davis posted a photo of Cordero with his family to express her condolences. "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...." she captioned the photo.
Sara Bareilles described Cordero as, "light. Kind and gentle. Talented and humble. Funny and friendly," in a post. Cordero starred in Bareilles' Broadway play "Waitress" in 2016. She said her friend had "the best laugh."
"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," she added. "Rest In Peace dear Nick. We love you."
Tony Award-winning performer James Iglehart called Cordero a "wonderful man" and a "wonderful husband."
Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson asked his followers to do their part in preventing the spread of the virus.
"Can we please do what we need to do as a country to fight this virus together?" he wrote in a tweet. "It doesn't care how healthy you are. It doesn't care if you want to go to Fire Island. It doesn't care if you are tired of wearing a mask. Reign. It. In."
Hilary Duff shared a note for Kloots on her Instagram. "I know you will keep smiling and carry your love for Nick and who he was throughout you and Elvis' lifetime," she expressed.
Actress Selma Blair shared how much Kloots' bravery throughout her husband's fight has touched her.
"Because of Amanda, my heart has grown, as so many have been moved by witnessing her heroic faith and love," Blair detailed. "Their bond has changed my life. Amanda has changed so many lives. With her soul, laid bare. The love and energy are ferocious around this family."
Actress Olivia Munn also praised Kloots for her strength. "Thank You @amandakloots for sharing your journey these past 94 days with everyone and inspiring us with your positivity and fight," she wrote.
Alec Baldwin shared a video message to send his sympathies to Cordero's family.
Read more about Nick Cordero's long-fought battle with COVID-19 here.
