Celebrity News May 08, 2020
Zach Braff & Donald Faison on Late Co-Star Sam Lloyd, Nick Cordero’s COVID-19 Battle, and Their New Podcast
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Zach Braff and Donald Faison have teamed up to give “Scrubs” fans a podcast called “Fake Doctors, Real Friends” about their time on the hit show.
“Extra's” Renee Bargh caught up with the actors, who opened up about working together again and shared the pain of losing co-star Sam Lloyd. They also spoke to Renee about their friend Nick Cordero and his battle with COVID-19.
Lloyd, best known for playing Ted Buckland on “Scrubs,” passed away last week at 56 years old from complications of lung cancer.
Donald called him “one of the sweetest people, nicest people you would ever meet. He played a character he is nothing like. The one thing they shared in common was Ted and Sam both could sing magnificently. One of my fondest memories was getting to sing with Sam…They would take John Williams songs and turn them into four-part harmony tributes, like 'Superman' and 'Star Wars'… Sam made me a CD of the music to study it. He was such a giving person, and really funny, and a great athlete, too.”
Zach added, “You gave me goosebumps… Chance the Rapper, of all people, posted a beautiful tweet about Sam… A nice tribute and a link to a video of Sam singing, 'Hey Yah.'”
He continued, “My last memory of Sam was… it was such a sad story, he was sick just when he found true love and had a baby, and I heard he was doing better. I saw him out… I had this relief like, 'Thank God he pulled through that'… It was just a punch in the stomach.”
Their thoughts are also with Cordero, the Broadway star who recently had his leg amputated due to COVID-19 complications. He is now in a medically induced coma. Zach said, “I don't know how to put it other than it's a real-life tragedy. Again, similarly with Sam… this has struck him worse than anybody.” Donald added, “Anybody I know.”
Zach explained, “No preexisting conditions. He was very healthy. His wife's a trainer… He came out to L.A. to do more work with his music and TV and film, and his family was staying in my guesthouse… He was just tired. He had no symptoms… He tested negative twice, then had trouble breathing. They finally admitted him to the hospital. They had to intubate him, and due to complications, they had to amputate his leg.”
He continued, “He has behind him an army. Amanda Kloots, his amazing wife, has built this army of cheerleaders… We're all just waiting for him to wake up… Waiting for this lovely human being to wake up and be with his family.”
Donald, who is also close to Nick, emphasized, “Socially distancing is so important.”
On a positive note, the two are loving their podcast collaboration, and so are their fans. Zach said, “I didn't know people would like it like they seem to.”
Donald added, “All we are doing is talking and having a good time and talking about what we would on the phone. If people are interested in what Zach and I talk about, tune in to the podcast.” Zach added, “It gives us an excuse to reminisce.”
The podcast takes people through “Scrubs,” and the pair broke this news about an upcoming guest from the cast: “Give 'Extra' the exclusive,” Zach said. Donald announced, “We have the wonderful Scott Foley!”
Braff noted, “He was a really beloved character on the show and he is so darn handsome… We have been having our co-stars on the show… I eventually want to have crew folks, too.” Donald teased, “There are so many stories.”
