Broadway star and voice actor Ken Page, widely recognized for his work in musicals such as Cats and The Wiz, has passed away at the age of 70. Page’s death was confirmed by PEOPLE on Tuesday, October 1.
Born in St. Louis, Page’s Broadway journey began in 1975 when he took on the role of the Lion in The Wiz. This marked the beginning of a more than two-decade-long career in New York’s theater scene.
Celebrating 70 Years of Ken Page’s Contributions to Musical Theater
From 1975 to 1999, he graced the stage in productions, including Guys and Dolls, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Cats, where he originated the character of Old Deuteronomy. His performance in Ain’t Misbehavin’ earned him the Drama Desk award for outstanding actor in a musical in 1978, according to Playbill.
Alongside his theater work, Page found success in film and voice acting. He is best remembered for voicing Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas, a role he reprised in video games and live performances, including a 2018 rendition at the Hollywood Bowl.
His film credits include appearances in Showgirls (2006), Torch Song Trilogy (1988), and All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989). He also portrayed Old Deuteronomy again in the 1998 film adaptation of Cats.
In recent years, Page developed and toured a cabaret-style show titled Page by Page across the U.S. He continued directing regional and touring productions, frequently collaborating with The Muny, the St. Louis theater group where his career first began.
On X, musician and composer Danny Elfman expressed shock at the news of Page’s passing. “Ken Page died suddenly. He was the one and only Oogie Boogie Man,” Elfman shared. “He was a talented and generous soul, full of life and joy. My friend, you will be deeply missed.”
Page’s Nightmare Before Christmas co-star Chris Sarandon, who voiced Jack Skellington, also paid tribute, describing Page as a man with a big heart. “He became my dear friend, and I admired and loved him. Goodbye ‘Kenny Cool,’ you leave a big space that will never be filled,” Sarandon added.
The actor shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, accompanied by a picture of the two friends smiling and embracing. Director of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Henry Selick, also gave a statement to PEOPLE.
He likened Page’s portrayal of Oogie Boogie to iconic villains like Hannibal Lecter and Darth Vader, praising the Broadway legend’s memorable performance.
Selick reflected on their time together, recalling how they once performed “Oogie Boogie’s Song” for fans during a behind-the-scenes event. “We were so happy that something we helped create was still so loved. I’ll miss you, Ken,” he concluded.
