End of a Tail: Laura Osnes & Santino Fontana's Beloved Cinderella Pal Herman the Fish Dies

Herman the Fish, the waterlogged backstage buddy to Cinderella stars Santino Fontana and Laura Osnes, has gone to the big fishbowl in the sky. As confirmed in the final episode of Osnes’ Broadway.com video blog, The Princess Diary, Herman died earlier this month.

As seen in episode two of The Princess Diary, Herman first joined the Cinderella family in March 2013, when he was purchased at Petland Discounts in Hell’s Kitchen by Osnes as an opening night gift for Fontana. A Crowntail Betta fish, Herman was chosen by Osnes for his beautiful blue color, which matched Fontana’s dressing room.

Herman became a regular on The Princess Diary and was so loved by viewers that he inspired a Twitter feed and backstage friends in Sherman the Fish (who lived with co-star Greg Hildreth) and Merman the Fish (roomie to Ann Harada). Herman also sometimes magically spoke to Osnes, although it was later revealed on Broadway.com’s Ask a Star feature to actually be the voice of Fontana, making Herman his second most famous voiceover gig after Hans in Frozen.

According to his family and friends, Herman is said to have died of heartbreak over his time at Cinderella coming to an end.

RIP Herman from all of your friends at Broadway.com. Thanks for the memories!

FISHY FLASHBACK: Relive the first appearance of Herman on The Princess Diary below, as Osnes picks him out at the pet store (1:00) and presents him to Fontana (5:20).