Chris Peluso, a stage performer recognized for his roles in “Mamma Mia!” and “Depraved,” died on Tuesday at age 40.
Peluso’s household confirmed his demise to theatre journal Playbill.
He’s survived by his spouse Jessica Gomes and their two younger kids, daughter Aria Li and son Caio Lian, based on Playbill.
The musical theatre division of Peluso’s alma mater, the College of Michigan, mentioned its members have been mourning the information.
“The Michigan Musical Theatre household is heartbroken as we announce the passing of our expensive member of the family/alum, the loving, charismatic, and divinely gifted Chris Peluso,” Linda Goodrich, interim chair of the varsity’s musical-theatre division, mentioned in a statement on Instagram.
Peluso appeared on Broadway in “Assassins,” “Lestat,” “The Superb Ones” and “Lovely.” He performed Fiyero in “Depraved” on tour and Sky in “Mamma Mia!”
His stage credit in London, the place he had relocated, embrace “Miss Saigon,” “Present Boat” and “The Girl in White.”
Walter McBride through Getty Pictures
Peluso stepped away from his theatre work final yr to hunt therapy for schizoaffective dysfunction, Playbill reported.
A GoFundMe began on his behalf by two mates in September requested donations to help him as he sought inpatient therapy at a psychological well being rehabilitation heart.
“This prognosis has resulted in Chris experiencing debilitating paranoia, which has saved him from performing in recent times,” the fundraising attraction mentioned.
A press release attributed to Peluso and posted to the fundraiser in November mentioned he was “steady and doing properly” and had began to work once more.
“It’s going to be a life lengthy means of going to remedy and dealing with docs however I’m so a lot better than I used to be earlier than therapy,” the assertion mentioned. “It actually means the world to me to have such unbelievable help from you all. None of this progress would have been attainable with out you.”
Peluso was additionally pursuing a grasp’s diploma in therapeutic counseling, based on his bio on the Artists & Beyond and Broadway Plus website.
“This offers him a significant aspect job whereas serving to him additional his emotional understanding of the world and relationships that gas all good theatre,” the bio says. “This additionally places Chris in a singular place to assist college students navigate the anxieties inherent in a profession within the Arts.”
When you or somebody you understand wants assist, name or textual content 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for psychological well being help. Moreover, you’ll find native psychological well being and disaster assets at dontcallthepolice.com.
