John Herrera

John Herrera, of Chicago Illinois, died at his home on February 24th 2026 at the Age of 70. He is survived by his ever devoted mother Martha Oton. sister Madeline Tarpey (Phil), sister Nancy Herrera, and Brother Dario Herrera Jr, daughter Erin-Marie and grandson Elias and many loving cousins, aunts and uncles.

John was born Juan Carlos Herrera in Havana Cuba in 1955. With his mother and grandmother, he left Cuba in 1961 as part of the flight from the Cuban revolution and moved to Chicago. He attended Lane Tech High School and became involved in community theater, thereafter he graduated magna cum laude in the theater department of Loyola University.

John relocated to New York in the late 1970s, making his Broadway debut in the original production of Grease as an understudy. His warm baritone singing voice quickly charmed the theater community, leading him to become a well employed actor, starring in roles such as Che in the original Broadway run of Evita opposite Patti LuPone, Dap in Camelot with Richard Burton, John Blackthorne in Shogun, The Musical, and John Adams and John Hancock in 1776. With his talent further recognized he was featured in National tours of Che in Evita, Anatoly in Chess, Enjolras in Les Misérables, and Roy in Angels in America. His depth of the unusual character role and beautiful tone in his vocals brought him a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for the The Mystery of Edwin Drood in 1985.

Arrangements entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options in Schiller Park, Illinois.