Ansel Elgort Pays Tribute To Kyle Jean-Baptiste After ‘Les Misérables’ Star's Tragic Death

It isn’t just the Broadway community mourning the loss of Kyle Jean-Baptiste. “Divergent” star Ansel Elgort revealed the “Les Misérables” star was a classmate at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art And Performing Arts. The two starred in a production of “Hairspray” in 2010 where Elgort played Link Larkin and Jean-Baptiste played Seaweed J. Stubbs.

I played opposite Kyle Jean-Baptiste in hairspray in highschool at Laguardia. What I remember most above his talent was his warmth
— Ansel Elgort (@AnselElgort) August 29, 2015

To everyone. He went on to make history being the first black actor to play Jean Valjean on Broadway in lesmiz. Rest in peace brother.
— Ansel Elgort (@AnselElgort) August 29, 2015

After remembering his former costar, Elgort, 21, also reminded fans to take a lesson from Jean-Baptiste. The "Fault in Our Stars" actor said to seize the day and go after their dreams while they still have the opportunity.

This tragedy shows that people can go in an instant, while we are here we must chase our dreams. Kyle did and he made history.
— Ansel Elgort (@AnselElgort) August 29, 2015

Jean-Baptiste died Friday after he fell off a fourth-floor fire escape in Brooklyn. The New York Times reported the actor had been talking to a friend when he slipped and fell backwards. The police said the death was an accident.

Like Elgort, the actor was just at the beginning of his career. The 21-year-old made history as the first black actor to play Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables” on Broadway. Jean-Baptiste, who was an understudy for Ramin Karmiloo, debuted in the role July 23 and last Thursday was his final performance.

Thursday is my last Valjean on broadway. The ability to play this part on Broadway has been life changing. I'm so greatful. @LesMizBway
— Kyle Jean- Baptiste (@BaptisteKyle) August 25, 2015

“I’ve had a lot of people message me like, ‘You’ve given me hope. You know, you have inspired me. You have made me believe that I can now go out and say that I want to be Valjean or say that I can do this,’ ” Jean-Baptiste told HuffPost Live earlier this month. “In the beginning, I didn’t even realize how big of deal it was until people told me, ‘This is a big deal.’ ”

“Les Mis” was Jean-Baptiste’s Broadway debut, and he was set to join the Broadway revival of “The Color Purple” alongside Jennifer Hudson later this fall.

Watch Jean-Baptiste's audition for “Les Mis” below: