Broadway and West End talent Chris Peluso passed away August 15 at the age of 40. The sudden news came just one year after it was publicly revealed that Mr. Peluso had stepped away from theatre work to seek treatment for a schizoaffective disorder. News of his passing was confirmed by his family.
Mr. Peluso was a beloved co-star and collaborator to many. He made a name for himself on Broadway as a favored understudy, covering The Balladeer in the 2004 Tony-winning revival of Assassins, both Louis and Nicolas in Elton John's Lestat, and all three leading male roles in Beautiful The Carole King Musical: Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann, and Don Kirshner. Elsewhere on Broadway, he played Sky in Mamma Mia! On the road, he both starred and covered the role of Fiyero in multiple tours of Wicked. Off-Broadway, he starred in The Glorious Ones.
In London, where he had relocated, Mr. Peluso was equally prolific, appearing in The Woman in White, Death Takes a Holiday, and Show Boat, as well as starring as Chris in the revival of Miss Saigon opposite Eva Noblezada prior to the production's transfer to Broadway. He also starred as Nick Arnstein opposite Sheridan Smith in the U.K. tour of Funny Girl.
Mr. Peluso is survived by his wife, Jessica Gomes, their daughter Aria Li Gomes-Peluso, and their son Caio Lian Gomes-Peluso.
Information on a public memorial and celebration of Mr. Peluso's life is forthcoming.
