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The Nightmare Before Christmas star Ken Page, who enjoyed a flourishing career on Broadway, passed away on September 30, 2024. He was 70.
Page had a long career working on New York's Broadway for decades, where he played major roles in the original productions of hit musicals like Cats, Ain't Misbehavin', and The Wiz. But his voice acting as the character of Oogie Boogie, the villain of Tim Burton's animated classic The Nightmare Before Christmas, won over a new generation of fans.
What role did Ken Page play in The Nightmare Before Christmas? All about the actor's prolific career
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Ken Page was an American actor and cabaret singer who created the part of Ken in the original Broadway production of Ain't Misbehavin'. He is best known for having voiced the villain Oogie Boogie in Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas franchise.
Page regularly reprised his role as Oogie Boogie in several productions at Disneyland and Disney World, including HalloWishes, Halloween Screams, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and the Hocus Pocus Villian Spelltacular. He has also voiced the character in video games such as The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King, Oogie’s Revenge, and the Kingdom Hearts series.
Some of Ken Page's other film and television credits include All Dogs Go to Heaven, Torch Song Trilogy, Dreamgirls, and guest roles on shows like Charmed and Touched by an Angel.
Ken Page's theater works
Ken Page played Old Deuteronomy in the original Broadway production of Cats and filmed a musical film adaptation. He has also played Cowardly Lion in the original Broadway production of The Wiz and Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the all black adaptation of Guys and Dolls, which cemented his name on Broadway and set him up for bigger roles.
However, his role in The Wiz was very rigorous and caused him a lot of health problems. He developed knee problems and had other related health issues, mostly from having to wear a heavy costume on stage that trapped his sweat, which began seeping toxically back into his body. He left the show due to mounting health troubles.
More recently, he appeared in The Muny's productions of Les Miserables and Waitress. Ken Page also developed and performed his cabaret-singer show, Page by Page, and directed various regional and touring productions.
Tributes have poured in for Ken Page shortly following his death
Ken Page's death was announced by his friend, the television producer Dorian Hannaway. She, however, did not disclose the cause of his death. She wrote on Facebook:
"Ken Page has passed onto the next show. My heart is broken."
Danny Elfman, who composed the music for The Nightmare Before Christmas, also shared a tribute to Page.
“I’m still stunned by last night’s terrible news. Ken Page died suddenly. He was the one and only Oggie Boogie Man. He was simply one of the best, most generous souls I know. Full of life and overflowing with joy. Talented and then some. Ken, my friend, you will be deeply missed.”
Tributes have poured in for the star from colleagues and fans alike, who remembered his life's works and contribution to Broadway.
Fans of Ken Page can stream The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+.
