Mamma Mia’s Chris Peluso Gone To Soon

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Actor and vocalist Chris Peluso, renowned for his remarkable performances on Broadway and the stage, has passed away at the age of 40, as reported by People. Peluso’s unexpected demise on August 15 was conveyed by his family to Playbill. His memory endures through his wife, Jessica Gomes, with whom he shared a year of marriage, and their two cherished children, Aria Li and Caio Lian.

The University of Michigan, Peluso’s alma mater, paid a heartfelt tribute to the late artist on the Instagram page of its musical theatre department. “With heavy hearts, we share the news of the passing of our beloved family member, the enchantingly gifted Chris Peluso,” expressed Linda Goodrich, the interim chair of the school’s musical theatre department.

Goodrich fondly recounted some of Peluso’s notable achievements, including his debut on Broadway in productions like Assassins, Lestat, The Glorious Ones, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Notably, he graced the Broadway stage as Sky in Mamma Mia! in 2008 and portrayed Fiyero in the Wicked tour. Goodrich also extended her condolences to his family.

Beyond American productions, Peluso showcased his talents in the UK with tours of Funny Girl, Show Boat, Miss Saigon, The Woman in White, and Death Takes a Holiday. He also took on the roles of Tony and Marius in renditions of West Side Story and Les Misérables, respectively.

Furthermore, Peluso pursued a master’s degree in therapeutic counselling, as mentioned on his résumé on the Artists and Beyond website. This endeavour was driven, in part, by his desire “to assist aspiring artists in navigating the inherent anxieties of a career in the arts.”

In a November update on his ‘GoFundMe’ page, Peluso shared that he had successfully completed his treatment and was in a stable and improved condition. The ‘GoFundMe’ campaign garnered over $25,000 in donations before its conclusion.

He reflected, “I am once again able to hold a job and have even started recording auditions. While the journey ahead involves ongoing therapy and collaboration with medical professionals, I am in a far better place compared to before treatment. Your incredible support means the world to me. I owe this progress to all of you.”