Throughout my career I’ve had the privilege of having met hundreds of actors, singers, performers and creative artists. I’ve also had the opportunity to see literally hundreds of plays, musicals, concerts and more. But I never met, nor can I recall having ever seen, Nick Cordero.
Yet when I heard the awful news that Covid-19 had finally defeated this Tony-nominated Broadway and stage performer over the weekend, it felt like a true sucker punch to my soul. It was as if a member of my family had passed away.
From the earliest reports of his battle against Covid-19, we were all rooting for him. Each and every one of us was hoping that luck, combined with his own resilience, would finally be on Cordero’s side and he’d win the three-month battle for his life. Every piece of good news immediately lifted all our spirits. The slightest setback deflated them.
When I read all the comments from friends, family and fans on social media throughout his ordeal, I was struck by the undeniable consensus that he was one of the truly great guys.
Obviously talented, Cordero seems to have been overwhelmingly generous and able to give as much love as he received. Seeing those comments made the enormity of his loss even bigger. It also made me sorry to have never experienced his talent in person.
His wife, Amanda Kloots, has been the epitome of support during this crisis. Imagine having to deal with life and death issues at the same time she’s raising their now one-year-old son, Elvis. My heart breaks for her and for their son who won’t get to know the man beloved by so many.
What happened to Nick Cordero could have happened, and could still happen, to any of us. If you think this is just about dying, please read what Zach Braff had to say about Cordero’s condition had he survived.
The lesson for all of us is we need to celebrate every day we have on this earth. For now, we need to wear masks whenever we go out of our homes. This too shall pass. But until it does, we owe it to ourselves, our friends, our family and every person with whom we come in contact to do everything we can do make sure this tragedy doesn’t get repeated.
It’s just a mask. Live your life.
Rest in Peace, Nick Cordero.
Photo of Zach Braff and Nick Cordero from Bullets Over Broadway (Photo by Paul Kolnik)