Acclaimed Broadway star and voice of Oogie Boogie in Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas has passed away at the age of 70. Friends of the actor announced his passing in posts on social media.
Dorian Hannaway wrote on Facebook, “Ken Page has passed onto the next show. My heart is broken.” She went on to share that Page “passed quietly and peacefully at his home.”
Actress Shari Belafonte posted, “Ken Page One of the sweetest, most talented guys on the planet… I couldn’t believe it… but it’s true. It feels like it’s coming just a bit too fast and a tad too furiously now… James Earl, Dame Maggie, Kris, Pete Rose, Dikembe, Officer Taggert/John Ashton, Drake H… and now Ken. RIP ALL of you. Heaven is packing it in right now with brilliant talent stepping off that First Class charter…”
Throughout his career, Page brought many characters to life on the stage and screen. He has appeared in Ain’t Misbehaving, played the role of Lion in the hit musical The Wiz, Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls, and Old Deuteronomy in Cats. He was highly regarded as a cabaret actor and had his show Page on Page which was well-received.
On the silver screen, he made several appearances including Torch Song Trilogy and Dreamgirls. He also provided his voice to King Gator in All Dogs Go to Heaven. Disney fans will also recognize his voice as Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas and all of its spinoffs.
He also appeared on television multiple times. He was on Gimme a Break, was a series regular on Sable, and also appeared on Family Matters, South Central, and Touched by an Angel. He also played the Walrus on the live-action Adventures in Wonderland series.
Page is survived by friends and many admirers throughout the entertainment communities.
