Broadway actor Chris Peluso, who starred in shows like Mamma Mia!, Miss Saigon and The Woman in White, has died at the age of 38.
The father of one child suffered from schizoaffective disorder and underwent treatment in 2022 to deal with his “debilitating paranoia” that has prevented him from working.
Peluso died on Wednesday, August 16, and the news was confirmed by the interim chair of the University of Michigan musical theater department, Linda Goodrich, who posted a tribute on the theater’s official Instagram page.
The message did not reveal a cause of death.
“The Michigan Musical Theater family is heartbroken as we announce the passing of our dear relative/alum, the loving, charismatic and divinely gifted Chris Peluso,” she wrote.
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,” Goodrich added.
Tragic news: Broadway actor Chris Peluso, who starred in shows like Mamma Mia!, Miss Saigon and The Woman in White, has sadly passed away
Happier times: the actor leaves his wife Jessica Gomes, with whom he welcomed a daughter in January 2021
On stage: Chris was described as a “loving, charismatic and divinely gifted” person and actor
One of Peluso’s former co-stars, John Haas, also shared his condolences and posted a photo of them together in costume, writing next to it, “I’m so sad to hear about Chris Peluso’s passing and I’m so grateful to have shared the stage and the 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 peace, dear man.’
Peluso last posted on Instagram on January 22, 2021, when he shared an adorable photo of his daughter Aria Li Peluso, which he shared with his wife Jessica Gomes.
Two days earlier, he posted a photo of him with his dog and told followers he was “looking forward to the future.”
In 2022, a GoFundMe page was set up by two of his friends to fund Chris’ “mental health treatment” and more than $25,000 was raised.
A description for the fundraiser encouraged people to donate because ‘our good friend Chris Peluso needs your help’.
It read: ‘Chris is best known as an actor, for his work on Broadway, in the West End and on national tours in both the US and UK. To anyone who knows him personally, Chris is also a funny, kind and caring friend, as well as a devoted father to Peety, his beloved King Charles Cavalier, who sadly passed away last year.
But as many probably don’t know, Chris suffers from schizoaffective disorder. This diagnosis has led Chris to experience a debilitating paranoia that has prevented him from performing in recent years.
Pet: Chris pictured with his ‘beloved’ King Charles Cavalier, of whom he regularly posted pictures on social media
In his element: the actor who performed in June 2015 in Miss Saigon on London’s West End
Broadway star: Chris, pictured here in April 2016, suffered from schizoaffective disorder
“Chris’ mental health has impacted not only his ability to work in the field in which he has built his career over the past 18 years, but also every aspect of his life. In recent months, the paranoia has swallowed him up to the point that he has been unable to do any work and has had to leave his wife and young child and return to America for treatment.”
The statement continued: ‘Chris has no health insurance in the US and was recently hospitalized for about two weeks. He is currently seeking treatment in a rehabilitation center for psychiatric patients.
‘Chris’s insurance doesn’t start until October and unfortunately it won’t cover his inpatient treatment. The facilities Chris is looking at probably cost between $70,000 and $90,000 for the full duration of treatment.
“While his family has generously helped with what they can, there simply isn’t enough to cover treatment and pay his extraordinarily high hospital bills.”
His friends added: “We love our friend dearly and know that he deserves the chance to go through treatment, come back to himself and build a new life by living at peace with his illness. And who knows, maybe one day he’ll be able to act again!
“Any donation you can give will be received with immense gratitude. The money will be used to pay for Chris’ inpatient treatment and pay his hospital bills for the past few weeks. It’s not easy to share with the world something you’ve been hiding for a long time, and we hope you understand how difficult it was for Chris to get us to share his story for this fundraiser.
“In his own words, “Hopefully this will help bring some awareness to how so many are silently suffering from mental illness. You never know what someone is going through. Be kind to each other.”
An update from Chris was shared on November 30, 2022 and read: ‘Hi guys! Thank you again so much for your incredible generosity! I am very happy to say that I have completed the inpatient treatment facility in Tennessee and I am stable and doing well!
Big moment: Chris on stage at The New London Theatre, Drury Lane, performing in Show Boat
Happy couple: Chris married Jessica on February 11, 2019 and is pictured here on their special day
“The new medications I’m on work well to control my symptoms and have minimal side effects. I can hold down a job again and have even started recording some auditions.
“It will be a lifelong process of therapy and working with doctors, but I am so much better than before the treatment. It really means a lot to me to have such incredible support from all of you. This progress would not have been possible without you,” he added.