Chris Peluso was a talented and versatile actor who performed on Broadway and in London’s West End. He was known for his roles in musicals such as “Mamma Mia!”, “Wicked”, “Miss Saigon” and “Show Boat”. He passed away on August 16, 2023, at the age of 40, after battling schizoaffective disorder for several years. He is survived by his wife Jessica Gomes and their two children, Aria Li and Caio Lian.
Early Life & Education
Chris A. Peluso was born on July 1, 1983, in Hoboken, New Jersey. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Peluso, whose names are not publicly known. He grew up in a musical family and developed a passion for singing and acting at a young age.
He attended the University of Michigan, where he graduated with a degree in musical theatre in 2005. He was a member of the Michigan Musical Theatre family, which mourned his passing in a statement on Instagram.
Career Highlights
Peluso made his Broadway debut in 2004, as an understudy for The Balladeer in the Tony-winning revival of “Assassins”. He then appeared in Elton John’s “Lestat”, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s “The Glorious Ones” and “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”. He also played Sky in “Mamma Mia!” and Fiyero in “Wicked” on Broadway and on tour.
In 2015, he moved to London, where he starred in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Woman in White”, Maury Yeston’s “Death Takes a Holiday” and Jerome Kern’s “Show Boat”. He also reprised his role as Chris in “Miss Saigon” before it transferred to Broadway. He toured across the UK in “Funny Girl” alongside Sheridan Smith.
Peluso was praised for his vocal range, charisma, and versatility as an actor. He received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike for his performances. He was nominated for several awards, including the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actor in a Musical for “Death Takes a Holiday” in 2017.
Marriage, Wife & Kids
Peluso married Jessica Gomes, a singer, and actress, in 2012. They met while working on “Wicked” together. They had two children, a daughter named Aria Li Peluso, born in 2014, and a son named Caio Lian Peluso, born in 2020. They lived in London until Peluso’s death.
Parents & Siblings
Chris Peluso was born on July 1, 1983, in Hoboken, New Jersey. His parents’ names and professions are not mentioned. He had a brother named Peter Peluso, who was also a theater actor and singer. He did not share anything about his parents.
Broadway Career
Chris Peluso was a successful and versatile actor who had a remarkable career in both Broadway and West End. He starred in several musicals and plays, showcasing his talent, charisma, and passion for theater. Here are some highlights of his acting career:
- He made his Broadway debut in 2004 in the Tony-winning revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, playing Lee Harvey Oswald.
- He appeared in other Broadway shows, such as Lestat, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and Mamma Mia!, in which he played Sky for over two years.
- He toured with Wicked as Fiyero and performed in several regional and off-Broadway productions, such as The Glorious Ones, Sweeney Todd, Chess, and Carousel.
- He moved to London in 2015 to pursue his career in the West End. He starred in Miss Saigon as Chris, Show Boat as Gaylord Ravenal, The Woman in White as Sir Percival Glyde, Death Takes a Holiday as Death, Funny Girl as Nick Arnstein, and Curtains as Aaron Fox.
- He was also a singer-songwriter who released his debut EP This Old Love in 2017. The album featured his original songs as well as covers of classics such as Hallelujah and Send in the Clowns.
Peluso was widely praised and admired by critics, audiences, and fellow actors for his performances. He received several nominations and awards for his work, such as the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Death Takes a Holiday in 2018. He was also nominated for the BroadwayWorld UK Award for Best Actor in a New Production of a Musical for Funny Girl in 2017.
Peluso’s last show was Curtains, a musical comedy whodunit that ran in the UK from October 2019 to March 2020. He played Aaron Fox, a composer and the love interest of the leading lady. He received positive reviews for his role, such as this one from The Stage: “Chris Peluso is excellent as Aaron Fox – he has a lovely voice and is very funny”.
Death Cause & Health
Peluso suffered from schizoaffective disorder, a mental health condition that affects a person’s mood, thoughts, and behavior. He experienced symptoms such as paranoia, depression, and hallucinations, which affected his ability to work and function normally. He sought treatment at a mental health rehabilitation center in 2022, with the help of a GoFundMe campaign started by his friends. He expressed his gratitude for the support he received from his fans and colleagues in a statement posted on the fundraiser page in November 2022.
He said he was stable and doing well, and had started to work again. He also revealed that he was pursuing a master’s degree in therapeutic counseling, which he hoped would help him understand himself and others better. He said he wanted to use his experience to help students cope with the anxieties of pursuing a career in the arts.
However, his condition worsened over time, and he passed away on August 16, 2023. His family confirmed his death to Playbill magazine. They did not disclose the cause of his death, but said it was related to his mental health struggles. They asked for privacy and respect during this difficult time.
Wiki/BIO
| Full Name | Chris A. Peluso |
| Profession | Theater Actor |
| Age | 40 years old |
| Birth Date | July 1, 1983 |
| Death Date | August 16, 2023 |
| Death Cause | Schizoaffective Disorder |
| Birth Place | Hoboken, New Jersey |
| Nationality | American/British (dual citizenship) |
| Gender | Male |
| Birth Sign | Cancer |
| Wife | Jessica Gomes-Ng |
| Daughter | Aria Li Peluso |
| Son | Caio Lian Peluso |
| Parents | Mother: Mrs. Peluso Father: Mr. Peluso |
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| ChrisandPeetyPeluso | |
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| Height | In feet: 5′ 10″ In centimeters: 177 cm In meters: 1.77 m |
| Eyes | Brown |
| Hair | Dark Brown |
| Alumni | University of Michigan |
| Homepage | Dreshare.com |
Facts About Chris Peluso
- Chris was a fan of hockey and supported the New Jersey Devils.
- Chris Peluso had a pet dog named Peety, who often appeared on his social media accounts.
- Peluso was fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, as well as English.
- Chris Peluso had a tattoo of a musical note on his left wrist, which he said represented his love for music and theatre.
- Peluso was involved in several charitable causes, such as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Trevor Project, and The Actors Fund.
- Chris was friends with many fellow actors, such as Lea Salonga, Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, and Rachel Tucker.
- Peluso performed at several concerts and cabarets, such as Broadway Sings, West End Switched Off, and The Curtain Up Show.
- Peluso was inspired by actors such as Hugh Jackman, Mandy Patinkin, and Audra McDonald.
- Peluso was a devout Christian and often shared his faith on his social media accounts.
- Chris Peluso loved to travel and visited many countries, such as Japan, Thailand, Brazil, and Italy.
- He was a fitness enthusiast and enjoyed working out and running.
- He was a loving husband and father, who often posted pictures and videos of his family on his social media accounts.
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