Chris Peluso sought treatment for schizoaffective disorder months before his death on Aug. 15 at age 40.
The Broadway star’s family confirmed his death on Thursday to Playbill, which also shared Peluso had taken time away from acting to treat his mental health.
No details were shared on the performer’s cause of death.
Peluso was survived by his wife, Jessica Gomes, and their two children: daughter Aria Li and son Caio Lian.
In September 2022, a GoFundMe page announced Peluso was suffering from schizoaffective disorder.
Schizoaffective disorder is “a mental health disorder that is marked by a combination of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions, and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression or mania,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
The donation page, organized by Rebecca LaChance and Tim Oxbrow on behalf of Peluso, revealed the “Wicked” actor was in need of financial assistance for his mental health treatment.
“This diagnosis has resulted in Chris experiencing debilitating paranoia, which has kept him from performing in recent years,” the description read.
“As well as affecting his capacity to work in the field he built his career in over the last 18 years, Chris’s mental health has affected every aspect of his life.”
The post further explained that Peluso — who was living with his family in London at the time — had to “return to America to seek treatment.”
The GoFundMe page raised $25,000 before donations were paused.
On Nov. 30, 2022, Peluso gave an update to those who donated, sharing he was doing “well” and receiving treatment at an inpatient facility in Tennessee.
“The new medication I’m on works well to keep my symptoms in check and has minimal side effects. I’m able to hold down a job again and even began taping some auditions,” he wrote.
“It’s going to be a life long process of going to therapy and working with doctors but I’m so much better than I was before treatment.”
Throughout his stage career, Peluso scored major Broadway roles as Sky in “Mamma Mia!” and Fiyero in “Wicked.”
Upon moving to London’s West End, he also graced the stage in productions of “Funny Girl,” “Show Boat,” “Miss Saigon” and “The Woman in White.”
