Kyle Jean-Baptiste, the first black Broadway actor to portray Jean Valjean in "Les Misérables," died Friday night (August 28) after falling from his mother's fire escape. He was 21, which also made him the youngest actor to play Valjean on Broadway.

Jean-Baptiste was an understudy for the role, usually seen as Constable and Courfeyrac, but made history when he played the lead role.

He tweeted earlier this week his gratitude for the the part:

"The entire LES MISERABLES family is shocked and devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of Kyle," the theater company told BroadwayWorld.com, "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, a bright young star in the Broadway community, will be missed.