Ken Page, a beloved figure in the world of Broadway and the voice of Oogie Boogie in the movie “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” passed away on Monday at the age of 70.
His death was confirmed on Tuesday by his talent agent, Todd M. Eskin, and his close friend and producer, Dorian Hannaway, as reported to The Times. The cause of death has not been revealed yet.
Hannaway initially disclosed the news of Page’s passing on Monday on Facebook, stating that the Broadway star had “moved on to the next performance.” Another one of Page’s agents, Lance Kirkland, shared with TMZ that Page passed away “in a very peaceful manner” at his home in St. Louis on Monday. Kirkland did not respond to The Times’ immediate request for comments on Tuesday.
Page had a long and successful career on stage, with his most famous roles including the Cowardly Lion in “The Wiz” in the 1970s and the character Old Deuteronomy in the original Broadway production of “Cats.” However, Page’s distinct deep voice might be most well-known for his role as the shapeless Boogeyman in the 1993 stop-motion film “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” directed by Henry Selick and Tim Burton. Page frequently reprised the role of Oogie Boogie during Halloween and other holiday events at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, both in person and through voice acting.
Page was born in St. Louis on January 20, 1954, and began his career in theater with the chorus of the Muny, also known as the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre. He then moved to New York and made his Broadway debut in 1975 as the Lion in the original production of “The Wiz.” In 1976, he featured in the first Broadway revival of “Guys and Dolls” with an all-Black cast, playing the character Nicely-Nicely. In 1978, he performed in “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” a Tony Award-winning musical that celebrated the Harlem of the 1920s and ’30s, and reprised his role in a 1989 production. Page also directed a local anniversary production of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” at the Cabrillo Music Theatre in Thousand Oaks.
Page returned to Broadway in 1982 for “Cats” and again in 1999 for “It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues.”
In addition to his stage career, Page had screen roles including the nightclub owner Max Washington in the Oscar-winning film “Dreamgirls.” He also made appearances in various TV series such as “Sable,” “Family Matters,” “Charmed,” and “Touched by an Angel,” as well as voiced characters in children’s programs. He lent his voice to King Gator in Disney’s 1989 animated film “All Dogs Go to Heaven.”
In his later years, Page created and performed his own show, Page by Page, as a cabaret singer. He also wrote, directed, and starred in several regional and touring productions.
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My name is Alex Carter, a journalist with a deep passion for independent cinema, alternative music, and contemporary art. A University of California, Berkeley journalism graduate, I’ve honed my expertise through film reviews, artist profiles, and features on emerging cultural trends. My goal is to uncover unique stories, shine a light on underrepresented talents, and explore the impact of art on our society. Follow me on SuperBoxOffice.com for insightful analysis and captivating discoveries from the entertainment world.