Broadway Star Nick Cordero’s Leg Was Amputated Amid His Coronavirus Battle: 5 Things to Know About Him

Nick Cordero has made headlines for his heartbreaking battle with the coronavirus, which resulted in the amputation of his right leg. Cordero, 41, had been unconscious in an intensive care unit at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center since shortly after he was admitted on March 31. After initially being diagnosed with pneumonia, Cordero tested positive for COVID-19 on April 1. His wife, Amanda Kloots, has documented his fight with the virus across social media. In an Instagram post from April 1, the 38-year-old fitness instructor revealed that she’s “not allowed” to visit her spouse and “can do nothing to help him” during his hospitalization. On April 18, Kloots revealed “some difficult news” about her husband’s condition. “Basically, we had issues with his right leg with clotting and getting blood down to his toes. And it just isn’t happening with surgery and everything,” she said in the Instagram Stories video. “So, they had him on blood thinners for the clotting, and unfortunately the blood thinners were causing some other issues — blood pressure and some internal bleeding in his intestines.” [jwplayer tDDWnSQv-l3ahXupL] The former Radio City Rockette added, “So we took him off the blood thinners, but that again was going to cause some clotting in the right leg. So the right leg will be amputated today.”

Cordero had surgery to remove his right leg later that day. After his procedure, Kloots opened up about the severity of Cordero’s condition. “It came down to a point where honestly it was life or leg, and we had to choose life. I choose life,”' Kloots, 38, said on a Today appearance on Monday, April 20.

“They put the ECMO machine in him to save his life,” she said of him being hooked up to an artificial lung device to add oxygen to his blood. “It was literally to save his life, and it did, thank God. And sometimes the repercussion of putting that machine on can cause some blood issues, and it did with his leg.”

In an update after his surgery, Kloots said that her husband was “was recovering well.”

Scroll down to learn more about Cordero. [podcast_block]

Nick Cordero has made headlines for his heartbreaking battle with the coronavirus, which resulted in the amputation of his right leg. Cordero, 41, had been unconscious in an intensive care unit at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center since shortly after he was admitted on March 31. After initially being diagnosed with pneumonia, Cordero tested positive for COVID-19 on April 1. His wife, Amanda Kloots, has documented his fight with the virus across social media. In an Instagram post from April 1, the 38-year-old fitness instructor revealed that she’s “not allowed” to visit her spouse and “can do nothing to help him” during his hospitalization. On April 18, Kloots revealed “some difficult news” about her husband’s condition. “Basically, we had issues with his right leg with clotting and getting blood down to his toes. And it just isn’t happening with surgery and everything,” she said in the Instagram Stories video. “So, they had him on blood thinners for the clotting, and unfortunately the blood thinners were causing some other issues — blood pressure and some internal bleeding in his intestines.” [jwplayer tDDWnSQv-l3ahXupL] The former Radio City Rockette added, “So we took him off the blood thinners, but that again was going to cause some clotting in the right leg. So the right leg will be amputated today.”

Cordero had surgery to remove his right leg later that day. After his procedure, Kloots opened up about the severity of Cordero’s condition. “It came down to a point where honestly it was life or leg, and we had to choose life. I choose life,”' Kloots, 38, said on a Today appearance on Monday, April 20.

“They put the ECMO machine in him to save his life,” she said of him being hooked up to an artificial lung device to add oxygen to his blood. “It was literally to save his life, and it did, thank God. And sometimes the repercussion of putting that machine on can cause some blood issues, and it did with his leg.”

In an update after his surgery, Kloots said that her husband was “was recovering well.”

Scroll down to learn more about Cordero. [podcast_block]

Throughout his acting career, Cordero has made appearances in several high-profile productions. He joined Waitress’ Broadway production in 2016 in the role of Earl, which was initially played by Jeremy Sisto in the 2007 film. After leaving Waitress, he originated the role of Sonny in A Bronx Tale later that year on Broadway.

Beyond his work in the theater, Cordero also nabbed a guest-star spot on an episode of CBS’ Blue Bloods.

He earned a Tony Award nomination in 2014 for Best Featured Actor for his portrayal of Cheech in Bullets Over Broadway. Cordero was also recognized with nominations from the Drama Desk Awards and Drama League Awards.

He also scored an Outer Critics Circle Awards nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for A Bronx Tale.

Cordero and Kloots welcomed their first child, son Elvis, on June 10, 2019. “[He] arrived at 6:41 a.m. this morning. 7lbs and 15oz,” Kloots shared via Instagram. “We are so in love with him already! 💙 56 hour labor (🤪) but mama and baby boy are doing great!”

Since the little boy’s arrival, Elvis has made several appearances on both Cordero and Kloots’ Instagram pages.

Cordero grew up in Hamilton, Ontario. His alma mater, Ryerson University, is also located in his home country.

Kloots detailed the severity of her husband’s fight with coronavirus on April 1. “Nick is scared too, this has gone from bad to worse. He isn’t allowed to eat or drink, he is very weak and having a hard time breathing,” she admitted via Instagram. “Elvis and I are feeling completely fine. My hubby is fighting like a champ but this is serious. Please stay home everybody.”

Twelve days later, she noted that the “next two goals that need to happen” for Cordero are that his right leg needs to improve and he needs to “start making small responses off sedation.” In the days that followed, Kloots shared that Cordero’s “body is adjusting” to no longer being on ECMO and to additional medications. “Some sideways steps but we are staying positive,” she added on April 18.

Kloots has also rallied fans, including Ashley Tisdale, to help support Cordero by posting videos of themselves singing and dancing to his song, “Live Your Life.”

Given the constantly evolving nature of COVID-19, Us Weekly wants our readers to have access to the most accurate resources. For the most up-to-date coronavirus information, guidance and support, consult the CDC, WHO and information from local public health officials. If you’re experiencing coronavirus symptoms, call your primary care provider for medical advice.