Broadway star and voice actor Ken Page, widely recognized for his iconic role as Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas, has passed away at the age of 70. His death was announced by his close friend, producer Dorian Hannaway, who shared on Facebook, “Ken Page has passed onto the next show. My heart is broken.” She confirmed that he passed peacefully at his home.
Born on January 20, 1954, in St. Louis, Missouri, Page had a long and illustrious career in both theater and film. He made his Broadway debut in The Wiz and continued to shine in productions such as Guys and Dolls, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Cats, where he portrayed Old Deuteronomy. Page’s deep baritone and powerful stage presence made him a favorite in the theater world.
On screen, Page was best known for bringing the villainous Oogie Boogie to life in Tim Burton’s 1993 stop-motion classic The Nightmare Before Christmas. His other film credits include Torch Song Trilogy (1988), All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989), Polly (1989) and Polly: Comin’ Home (1990) as well as Dreamgirls (2006) among others. He also made notable appearances on television, including roles in Family Matters, Touched by an Angel, and Sable.
In addition to his stage and screen work, Page lent his voice to numerous video games, reprising his role as Oogie Boogie in Disney’s Kingdom Hearts series and The Nightmare Before Christmas video game adaptations.
Following the news of his passing, actress Shari Belafonte expressed her sorrow, calling Page “one of the sweetest, most talented guys on the planet.” She, along with many others in the entertainment industry, mourns the loss of a performer whose contributions spanned decades.
Ken Page’s rich legacy of work, from Broadway to film, will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come. He is survived by many friends and colleagues who admired his talent and kind spirit.