Courtesy of Twitter
Actor Kyle Jean-Baptiste, the 21-year-old actor who made history on July 23, died August 28 after falling from a fire escape following a performance of Les Misérables. Jean-Baptiste was the first African-American to play the role of Jean Valjean on Broadway, as well as the youngest actor to play the role.
The production released this statement: “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. We send our deepest condolences to his family and ask that you respect their privacy in this unimaginably difficult time.”
Jean-Baptiste was discovered by the Les Miz casting director at his senior showcase where he performed a song from Once, as well as the Oscar-winning “Glory” from Selma. Jean-Baptiste was cast in the Broadway revival after graduating from Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio.
Before making his Broadway debut with Les Misérables, Jean-Baptiste appeared in several regional theatre productions with roles at the New London Barn Playhouse (New Hampshire) in The Music Man, Singin’ in the Rain and Les Misérables (Javert), at Playhouse Square (Ohio) in Love Story: The Musical and Murder Ballad: The Musical, and at the Idaho Shakespeare/Great Lakes Theatre Festival in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Les Misérables (Enjolras).
Ramin Karimloo, who is the lead Jean Valjean, gave a speech at the curtain call after the August 29th matinee performance.
Share this post
