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Actors & Actress Haitian American In The News

‘Les Miserables’ Actor Kyle Jean-Baptiste Dies at 21

Rest In Peace to this young gifted and talented young man.

Kyle Jean-Baptiste, who made history as the first black actor to play Jean Valjean in a Broadway production of “Les Misérables,” died early Saturday after falling off of a fire escape. He was 21.

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Source: Twitter

The company of “Les Mis” released the following statement on Jean-Baptiste’s death:

“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.”

According to [ NBC NEWS ]

Kyle Jean-Baptiste, who made history as the first black actor to play Jean Valjean in a Broadway production of “Les Misérables,” died early Saturday after falling off of a fire escape. He was 21.

Jean-Baptiste fell from his mother’s fourth-floor fire escape in Brooklyn at about 4 a.m. Saturday and died in the hospital, police told NBC New York. Police said he slipped and fell, and it appears to have been an accident. Jean-Baptiste was on the fire escape with a 23-year-old woman when he fell, police said.

This summer, the 21-year-old became the youngest and first black actor to play the role of Valjean in “Les Misérables.” His understudy spot as Valjean ended on Thursday.

Jean-Baptiste called the opportunity his “dream role.” The night he debuted as Valjean, he wrote on Twitter, “Guna remember this night.” When he wasn’t performing as Valjean, Jean-Baptiste was an ensemble member of the cast and often played Constable and Courfeyrac.

Kyle Jean-Baptiste was the son of Serge Jean-Baptiste and nephew of Marie Jean-Baptise. He had a sister Kelsey, with whom he was close. Kyle attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, where he was acquainted with American actor Ansel Elgort. The two appeared together in a high-school performance of Hairspray.

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