Kyle Jean-Baptiste, the first African American and youngest person to ever play the lead role of Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables” on Broadway died after falling from a fire escape, according to a show spokesman. He was 21.
Jean-Baptiste died Friday night following the show's evening performance at the Imperial Theatre, said representative Marc Thibodeau, who called it a “tragic accident.”
“The entire 'Les Misérables' family is shocked and devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of Kyle, a remarkable young talent and tremendous person who made magic — and history — in his Broadway debut," a statement from the production reads.