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Nick Cordero (1978–2020), Broadway star of “Waitress,” “Rock of Ages”

by Linnea Crowther

Nick Cordero was an actor best known for starring roles in Broadway shows including “Waitress,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Bullets Over Broadway.”

Broadway stardom

A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Cordero had an early break playing Tony in a Toronto production of “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding.” He debuted Off Broadway in 2009, playing the title role in “The Toxic Avenger.” He joined the national touring company of “Rock of Ages,” playing Bourbon Room owner Dennis Dupree,” and later played the role on Broadway in 2012. In 2014, Cordero was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance as Cheech in “Bullets Over Broadway.” In 2016, Cordero starred in “Waitress” and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his performance as Sonny in “A Bronx Tale.”

Memorial tribute

A memorial tribute to Cordero aired online on September 7, 2020. View the tribute here.

Cordero on playing villains

“It’s fun to play villains, but what I like to do is tell a bit of a story about why they’re that way. No one’s really born that way—life and circumstance create the character—I like to kind of show a little humanity, a little bit of a softer side if I can, because people don’t really expect that.” —from a 2017 interview with Broadway Style Guide

What people said about him

Full obituary: The New York Times

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