Chris Peluso, Broadway star, shockingly dies at age 38

Thespian Chris Peluso passed away suddenly on August 16, 2023. He was a star of the theatre, boasting Broadway accolades and a number of respected roles under his belt. There is no cause of death, but the media do report that the actor struggled with a mental health disorder.

The news was confirmed by Linda Goodrich, the University of Michigan’s musical theatre department’s interim chair. She posted on the department’s social channels a heartwarming farewell and confirmation the young star had passed away.

(Pictured here with Sandra Marvin, co-star from Showboat)

“The Michigan Musical Theatre family is heartbroken as we announce the passing of our dear family member/alum, the loving, charismatic, and divinely gifted Chris Peluso," the post said.

“Chris appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia!, Assasins, Lestat, The Glorious Ones and Beautiful, played Fiyero on tour in Wicked and starred in London in Miss Saigon and Showboat. Our hearts go out to his family.” Chris got married in 2019.

Photo: Instagram @chris.peluso

Peluso received his B.F.A from the University of Michigan's MT program before he went on to star in his first Broadway show, performing in the Broadway production of 'Assasins'.

The actor then joined the original company of the national tour of 'Wicked' before adding some of musical theatre's most famous roles to his CV; such as Sky in Mamma Mia, Marius in Les Miserables and Tony in West Side Story.

He moved to London and then starred as Chris in Miss Saigon on the revered West End stage.

Chris was then based in London, having performed in 'Showboat' and 'Woman in White' before a tragic end put a sudden halt to his musical theatre career forever.

Former co-star John Haas who performed alongside him in 'Les Miserables', posted on social media saying: “I’m so very sad to hear about Chris Peluso’s passing and I’m so thankful to have shared the stage and barricade with him 15 years ago. He was such a beautiful light— remarkably talented, funny, and caring. Sending my love to his family and friends during this time. Rest in perfect peace, sweet man.”

Photo: Instagram @chris.peluso

But Chris Peluso had been dealing with mental health issues and a fund raising page was even put up by his friends to raise money for treatment in Tennessee. This disorder had truly debilitating effects on his personal and professional life.

The GoFundMe page says, "But as many probably don't know, Chris suffers from schizoaffective disorder. This diagnosis has resulted in Chris experiencing debilitating paranoia, which has kept him from performing in recent years."

The page states that the paranoia had 'consumed' him to the extent that he struggled to hold down work and even had to leave his wife and young child and return to America to seek treatment. Chris Peluso's little daughter was born in 2021.

Photo: Instagram @chris.peluso

Things were looking on the up for Broadway star who commented on the page that the new medication was working well to keep his symptoms in check and had minimal side effects.

Photo: Instagram @chris.peluso

He also said that he was 'able to hold down a job again and even began taping some auditions.' Peluso even said that he was so much better than he was before treatment. This was the last public statement from Peluso, in November 2022.

Photo: Instagram @chris.peluso

But the burden was perhaps too hard for Peluso to bear. Another one of his ex co-stars, Rachel Potter, who worked with him on 'Wicked' hinted it was the mental illness that took over. She said "I don’t know what haunted him. But I’m so sorry that whatever it was, won in the end. Rest in peace, Chris."

The GoFundMe page quoted the actor in his own words, "Hopefully this helps bring some awareness to how so many suffer from mental illness in silence. You never know what someone may be going through. Be kind to each other."