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Home • News

Rising Broadway Star Kyle Jean-Baptiste Dies at 21

Broadway has lost a rising star in Kyle Jean Baptiste, 21,  who died Friday in a tragic accident. 
Rising Broadway Star Kyle Jean-Baptiste Dies at 21
Kyle Jean-Baptiste
By Dominique Hobdy · Updated October 27, 2020

Broadway lost a rising star Friday as 21-year-old Kyle Jean-Baptiste passed away after falling off his mother’s fire escape.

According to Vibe, Baptiste made history as the first African-American to play main character Jean Valjean in the iconic Les Miserables Broadway play.

Broadway World confirmed Jean-Baptiste’s passing saying:

“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.”   

In addition to being the first African-American actor to play Valjean, Jean-Baptiste was also the youngest. He was scheduled to join the Broadway production of The Color Purple in September.