Matteo De Cosmo, art director for television shows such as The Punisher and Luke Cage, has died at the age of 52. He died of complications from the COVID-19 coronavirus on April 21 in New York, Deadline reported.
De Cosmo’s most recent project was the ABC drama Harlem’s Kitchen, which closed down production because of COVID-19. One of his colleagues, showrunner Zahir McGhee, said in a statement:
Making television is challenging. But there are people that assure you every day with their talent, passion and smile that anything is possible. Matteo was one of those people. We will miss him. The entire Harlem’s Kitchen family extends our deepest condolences to Matteo’s wife, Aris, his son, Marcello, and the countless friends and family that mourn his passing.
De Cosmo was born in Italy on April 4, 1968. He leaves behind his wife Aris and his son Marcello.
Matteo De Cosmo Worked as an Art Director for Multiple Shows, Including High Profile ABC Studio Series
De Cosmo worked in multiple high profile ABC Studio shows. He was an art director on both seasons of Steve Lightfoot’s rendition of The Punisher, starring Jon Bernthal. He also worked on 13 episodes of Cheo Hodari Coker’s Luke Cage.
The art director was a part of many TV series, including Emergence, Wu-tang: An American Saga, The Affair, Madam Secretary, Believe, Are We There Yet?, Chappelle’s Show, Cosmic Groove, Upright Citizens Brigade and Strangers with Candy.
In a statement to Deadline, ABC Studios said:
We were heartbroken to learn that Matteo De Cosmo, a talented art director with whom we’d worked on many productions including a recent pilot, has passed away. He was a true talent, incredibly creative, and beloved by everyone with whom he worked. We will miss him deeply and our hearts go out to his family and friends.
Colleagues & Fans Share Their Thoughts After De Cosmo’s Death
After the news of De Cosmo’s death broke, colleagues and fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts. Costume designer Katie Kupferberg tweeted:
Having been a part of the Marvel family, joining the costume team at the end of Luke Cage, working through DD3 and also as a fellow member of the design community, this makes me really sad. We have lost so many of our own lately. Prayers to Matteo’s family
She said, “Having been a part of the Marvel family, joining the costume team at the end of Luke Cage, working through DD3 and also as a fellow member of the design community, this makes me really sad. We have lost so many of our own lately. Prayers to Matteo’s family.”
Another colleague, Ryan Robert Howard, tweeted:
He said, “Matteo De Cosmo was a lovely man. I had just gotten to know him on the pilot of ‘Harlem’s Kitchen’. I could share so many solid memories of him in 3x weeks time. My heart hurts for his wife and son.”
The band Barbez, who said De Cosmo was their original drummer, tweeted:
We are devastated to learn of the passing of our great friend and original drummer, Matteo de Cosmo, who died after a month-long battle with COVID. Dan wrote this remembrance on his Facebook page and we wanted to share with all of you.
The band’s caption reads: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of our great friend and original drummer, Matteo de Cosmo, who died after a month-long battle with COVID. Dan wrote this remembrance on his Facebook page and we wanted to share with all of you.”
A Twitter user that goes by “Jus Cool,” tweeted:
R.I.P. Matteo de Cosmo. Your creativity lives on through all the people you worked with, lead and on all the TV & film sets you were a part of.
Paint your name in the COSMOs, brotha 🎨✨🙏🏾✊🏾 #MatteoDeCosmo
They wrote: “R.I.P. Matteo de Cosmo. Your creativity lives on through all the people you worked with, lead and on all the TV & film sets you were a part of. Paint your name in the COSMOs, brotha.”
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