Broadway's first African-American Jean Valjean, Kyle Jean-Baptiste, dies at 21
Musical theatre fans all over the world were left in shock over the weekend as they heard the news that 21-year-old Les Misérables star Kyle Jean-Baptiste had died.
The Broadway actor died on Friday night after falling off a fire escape at his mother’s apartment shortly after the show’s evening performance at the Imperial Theatre, New York City.
Kyle made musical theater history in July by becoming the first black man to play the role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables on Broadway.
Not only that, he was also the youngest person to ever play the part.
A statement from the production reads: “The entire Les Miserables 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. We send our deepest condolences to his family and ask that you respect their privacy in this unimaginably difficult time,” a statement from the production reads.
"A remarkable young talent and tremendous person who made magic - and history - in his Broadway debut." pic.twitter.com/144astegXh
— Les Misérables US (@LesMizUS) August 29, 2015
His last performance in the role was Thursday, the night before he died.
Thursday is my last Valjean on broadway. The ability to play this part on Broadway has been life changing. I'm so greatful. @LesMizBway
— Kyle Jean- Baptiste (@BaptisteKyle) August 25, 2015
Last Valjean! @LesMizBway
— Kyle Jean- Baptiste (@BaptisteKyle) August 27, 2015
Jean-Baptiste was born in New York and after making stage history, he told Playbill: “I did not immediately think of it as making history. This was my dream since I was a little boy.”
His sister, Kelsey, paid tribute to her brother in an emotional message on Instagram.
"He shook the world with his voice and broke barriers with a smile. He was a blessing to me, you, and many people in the world," she wrote.
The Broadway show's official Instagram account - lesmizbway - also posted this tribute along with a collage of his behind-the-scenes snaps.
"He brought his passion and joy to this show every single day," they wrote.
"#LesMizBway will never be the same without him. We will carry him in our hearts on the barricade every night."
Josh Groban, Audra McDonald and Kristin Chenoweth all took to Twitter offering their condolences to his family and the musical’s cast.
He was just getting started. So sad. My condolences as well to family and cast. https://t.co/1q6r0wmG1f
— josh groban (@joshgroban) August 29, 2015
RIP Kyle Jean-Baptiste. My love and hugs to his family. And the cast of @LesMiserables
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) August 29, 2015
