Kyle Jean-Baptiste, the youngest and the first African-American to play the role of Jean Valjean in the Broadway Production of "Les Miserables," has died after he fell from the fourth floor fire escape of his mother's home in Brooklyn, New York.
The actor died after taking part at the evening performance of the show at the Imperial Theatre on Friday.
Jean-Baptiste made history last month as he became the understudy for the role of Jean Valjean in the Broadway production of "Les Misérables," which he described as his "dream role." He also played the roles of Courfeyrac and the constable.
The young talent was thrilled to make his debut in what social media has dubbed #blackValjean on July 23. Jean Baptiste stepped into the role while Ramin Karimloo, the lead actor, was on vacation making him the youngest actor to fill the role on Broadway.
The 21-year old was asked to be part of the Broadway cast in May a day after he graduated with a music theater degree from Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio.
Police said that Jean-Baptiste was with a 23-year old woman when he slipped and fell from the fire escape at about 4 am in Saturday and died in the hospital. Authorities said that the incident appeared to have been an accident.
On Aug. 25, Jean-Baptiste shared about what he felt of his experience as Valjean on Broadway as Thursday would be the last that he would play the role.
"Thursday is my last Valjean on Broadway. The ability to play this part on Broadway has been life changing," he tweeted.
Broadway World has described the actor's sudden death as a tragic loss and expressed their condolences to his family.
"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," the company said in statement.
Hours after Jean-Baptiste's death, Karimloo dedicated the performance of Saturday's matinee to the fallen show cast member. The crowd reportedly gasped in unison when they heard the news.
"He was going to be a star," Karimloo said. "He had a lot of moxie. It's a very sad day for us."
A number of other stars likewise expressed their grief over the actor's death and sent condolences to his family.
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
This is so unspeakably tragic. Thinking of his family and all who loved him
