“God has another angel in heaven now,” Amanda Kloots wrote of her husband, Nick Cordero on Sunday, announcing the devastating news of the Broadway star’s death at 41 due to coronavirus complications after 95 days in the hospital.
Cordero’s battle for life, highlighted by Kloots on Instagram with frequent updates that featured friends sending daily versions of his “Rock of Ages” song “Live Your Life,” showed the immense love for the actor who was the father of a 1-year-old son, Elvis.
These expressions of love continued Sunday night. Friend Zach Braff, who starred with Cordero in Broadway’s “Bullets Over Broadway,” a role which earned Cordero a Tony award nomination for best actor, posted a black-and-white picture of the actor with his arm around Kloots on Instagram.
Broadway star Nick Cordero dies at 41:Actor’s coronavirus struggle was highlighted by wife Amanda Kloots
“I have honestly never known a kinder person,” wrote Braff. “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.”
“Hamilton” star Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted about the “devastating” news.
“What a loss, what a light. Whole heart with Amanda and his family tonight,” Miranda wrote.
Singer Sara Bareilles, who wrote the music and lyrics for Broadway’s “Waitress,” wrote an Instagram tribute to Cordero on behalf of the production’s cast and crew. Cordero starred as Earl in the musical.
“He was light. Kind and gentle. Talented and humble. Funny and friendly. The best laugh,” Bareilles wrote. “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. Rest In Peace dear Nick. We love you.”
“My heart is broken. I feel ill,” “Book of Mormon” star Josh Gad wrote on Instagram. “Along with the entire Broadway community and the entire world, I mourn the loss of the incredible Nick Cordero and send my sincerest love and prayers to @amandakloots, baby Elvis & and entire family. RIP Nick.”
“Fences” star Viola Davis wrote on Twitter, “RIP Nick Cordero! My condolences to you Amanda who fought and loved so hard.”
“So sorry for his little one,” Davis wrote of Elvis. “My heart is with you. May flights of angels….”
Sarah Michelle Gellar posted a photo of Cordero and Kloots embracing on Instagram.
“Amanda, because of this horrible disease we can’t even hug you. But it’s important that you know, there is an army of people here, ready to support you in ANY and EVERY way possible,” Gellar wrote. “None of this is fair. ‘Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal’ “
“Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who starred in Broadway’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” tweeted about the “incredibly sad news,” using the moment to discuss COVID-19.
“Can we please do what we need to do as a country to fight this virus together? 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,” he wrote.
Bradley Whitford posted a smiling photograph of Cordero, Kloot and son Elvis on Twitter with a plea to support the family’s GoFundMe page, which has raised close to $700,000 to pay for expenses such as medical bills.
Priscilla Presley wrote on Twitter that she was “shocked” by the news of the passing.
“My heart and soul goes out to Nick Cordero’s beautiful wife and family. Rest In Peace, Nick,” Presley wrote.
“This is crushing,” tweeted Holly Robinson-Peete. “I’ve been following this story since the beginning (13 weeks). Watching Amanda rally so hard with positivity, music and love always with a smile on her face.”
She ended the tweet with “RIH.”
“Glee” actress Jane Lynch posted Cordero’s photo with a broken heart emoji and the words, “Godspeed, Nick.”
Hillary Duff wrote to Kloots on Twitter, praising her for her strength during her husband’s health ordeal, saying, “we were really praying for you guys, It was a constant conversation.”
“I’m sorry for the sorrow,” Duff wrote. “But just know that so many people…now are sending you mountains of love.”
Broadway actor James Iglehart, who starred with Cordero in a 2018 production of “Little Shop of Horrors” tweeted, “I will miss you. You were a wonderful man. A wonderful husband. The happiest dad I knew. A good friend to me. My love & prayers go out to your family.”
