The world was crushed to learn that Nick Cordero lost his battle with COVID-19 on Sunday. The Broadway actor was just 41 years old. He leaves behind wife Amanda Kloots and 1-year-old son Elvis.
Hearts around the world broke for Amanda, who has exhibited enormous strength in keeping fans up to date with Nick's condition. Many famous figures, both those who knew Nick and those who did not, comforted Amanda with condolences and prayer.
One of the celebrities to speak out about Nick's death is Zach Braff. Nick and Zach worked together on Broadway in 2014's Bullets Over Broadway. It was a special time for Nick, who earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for the role. It was also the role that allowed him to meet Amanda and begin their beautiful love story.
Zach shared that his final conversation with Nick was about Amanda and Elvis. Zach vowed to look after them, not only during this difficult time but for life.
Tributes have been pouring in following the death of Nick Cordero. The 41-year-old Broadway actor was a picture of health when he contracted COVID-19 in March. The illness spurred a number of complications for Nick that included a stroke and the amputation of his right leg.
Nick's wife, Amanda Kloots, has done an incredible job of keeping fans up to date on Nick's journey. She emotionally announced it came to an end on Sunday.
"God has another angel in heaven now. 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 wrote.
"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."
Amanda also expressed her gratitude for everyone who shared thoughts and prayers for Nick, as well as his incredible medical team:
"To Nicks extraordinary doctor, Dr. David Ng, you were my positive doctor! There are not many doctors like you. Kind, smart, compassionate, assertive, and always eager to listen to my crazy ideas or call yet another doctor for me for a second opinion. You're a diamond in the rough.
⠀
"I cannot begin to thank everyone enough for 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. 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. ❤️."
That love and support continued as stars who knew the couple and ones they'd never met before rallied around Amanda. One of those stars is Zach Braff, who worked with Nick in 2014 in Bullets Over Broadway. The show was also how Nick met Amanda, so Zach saw their relationship unfold firsthand.
"Nick Cordero passed at 11:40 am today with his wife and mother by his side. I have honestly never known a kinder person," Zach 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. I promise the world they will never want for anything. I feel so incredibly grateful I got to have Nick Cordero enter my life. Rest In Peace. Rest in Power."
Zach's girlfriend, actor Florence Pugh, also shared a tribute to Nick.
"We lost one of the great ones today. My friend Nick Cordero passed this morning, holding hands with all his loved ones. Him and his wife @amandakloots have been fighting extremely hard for 90 days. He caught COVID 19 in March and has been hospitalised ever since despite having no pre-existing health conditions," she wrote.
"This was him April '19! In his element. On stage whilst commanding the entire audience so intensely, you could have heard a pin drop. 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 knew all the words and started head banging the moment she heard Coldplay. Every night. For three nights. 7 months pregnant!!! "
She called for her followers to recognize the seriousness of COVID: "It is so shocking and devastating to see one of your own come down as hard as he did. 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? We still can. Help the world by continuing to take this virus seriously. Wear your mask, respect others' space, clean your hands, and please be safe. This is far from over.
"Nick, we love you to infinity and beyond. Rest In Peace you beautiful, beautiful man."
Actor Josh Radnor, who worked with Nick on Little Shop of Horrors in 2018, shared a heartfelt tribute in a Twitter thread.
"A few words about Nick Cordero who died of COVID yesterday … I [expletive] loved this guy. A force on stage and a delight off. We worked together in 2018 in NY & DC doing Little Shop of Horrors and got close in that shot-out-of-a-cannon way that only theater people understand," he wrote.
"He was a big guy but so immediately disarming, hilarious and lovable when you met him. The reason he worked so much in the theater, aside from his astonishing can-do-it-all talent, was that he was the guy you want next to you in the trenches."
"An effortless, joyful, and generous actor, he was the easiest person to be in a scene with. He deeply understood what it meant to collaborate and build something with others, when to shine and when to support. He'd chew half the scenery and leave the rest for you," he continued.
"It's funny that he excelled at playing outsized egoic (and frequently criminal) characters because he himself was such a well-adjusted mensch. I loved acting with Nick, talking with Nick, laughing with Nick, playing music with Nick.
"The last time I saw Nick was when he & Amanda & their baby Elvis surprised me backstage after a Radnor & Lee show in LA. I was so happy to see him and have some time to reconnect. A few weeks later he would be in the ICU where he would remain for 3 months until he died.
"I don't think shaming people to wear masks works. They're uncomfortable and weird. They also save lives. Nick knew how to be a part of an ensemble and a community. The show was the most important thing. We could all learn that lesson from him. #WearMasks
"It's tough to grieve on Twitter but I just wanted people to know in as personal a way as I can that we lost a real artist and a gorgeous gem of a human being. Sending so much love to Elvis and @amandakloots."
Actor Leslie Uggams also tweeted about Nick's death:
"This is so unbearably sad. He struggled for so long only to lose his battle. Please wrap his wife Amanda and son Elvis in your loving prayers. And wear a damn mask. If you don't care about yourself, care about everyone else."
Many celebrities outside of Broadway also shared their heartfelt condolences. Hilary Duff admired Amanda for her strength and the light she was able to give her son during this unbearable time:
"Hey Amanda, we were really praying daily for you guys. It was a constant conversation in our house..Seriously, if not every day, every other day we would talk about Nick and his progress and you and your baby and pray he would kick this things [expletive].
"The positivity you have demonstrated has been fierce and fearless and seemed super human when Im sure the struggle felt lonely and terrifying at times. The strength you have shone for Elvis is a beautiful, selfless quality that is hard to possess. Way to go mama. Bravo. I know you will keep smiling and carry your love for Nick and who he was throughout you and Elvis' lifetime. I'm sorry for the sorrow…But just know that so many people personally or strangers now are sending you mountains of love."
Many are also sharing a GoFundMe campaign that's been set up for Amanda and Elvis. She recently was criticized for continuing to promote her fitness business on her Instagram throughout Nick's illness. Just three days ago, she addressed that negativity.
"I'm going to say something today. A little PSA: My husband has been in the ICU for 91 days. We don't know if he'll make it. I hope and pray every single day of my life that he does," she said.
"But, if he does make it, I don't know when he'll be able to work again."
"There's a lot in my life that is uncertain right now. I have a family. I have bills. I have no idea what Nick's hospital bills are going to be. I haven't even tried to wrap my head around that yet," she said.
"I have a mortgage. I have a car payment. I have a son that is 1-years-old that I want to send to college one day, or at least give him whatever I can. So, I will work. I will continue to work. I will continue to create and I'll continue to try to share that with people."
The GoFundMe campaign has raised over $800,000. That may seem like a lot of money, but considering the bills COVID-19 patients have already reported racking up, it will likely only help Amanda with covering a portion of Nick's medical costs.
Thankfully, she has the dedication of friends like Zach to help her along the way. She also has the strength to move forward in her professional life despite the anguish she's been through in her personal life. Amanda's strength is truly unlike anything we've seen.
