Les Misérables star Kyle Jean-Baptiste dies in fire escape fall

Kyle Jean-Baptiste, the first African-American and youngest person to play the role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables on Broadway, has died after falling from a fire escape, said a show spokesman. He was just 21.

Jean-Baptiste died after the show’s evening performance at the Imperial Theatre, said representative Marc Thibodeau.

“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 said.