Ken Page, the accomplished Broadway actor and voice of Oogie Boogie in Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, has died at the age of 70.

News of Page’s passing was first reported by several of his close friends, including former Late Show director Dorian Hannaway and actress Shari Belafonte, and was subsequently confirmed by BroadwayWorld. According to Hannaway, Page “passed quietly and peacefully at his home.”

In Burton’s classic The Nightmare Before Christmas, Page voiced The Oogie Boogie Man, the film’s main antagonist. Page later reprised the character in several live-to-film performances of the movie staged by composer Danny Elfman.

On Broadway, Page notably portrayed Old Deuteronomy in the original production of Cats, and The Lion in the original production of The Wiz. He also starred as Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls.

Page was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. Widely known as the voice of Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas franchise, he was in the original Broadway casts of The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Cats, and It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues. He also appeared in the first Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls with an all-Black cast. He has appeared at regional theatres all over the United States and in London in productions of Randy Newman’s Faust, Stephen Schwartz’s Children of Eden, Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida, The Wizard of Oz, Les Misérables, My One and Only, Little Shop of Horrors, and more.

He most recently appeared in The Muny's productions of Les Miserables and Waitress.

In later years, Page developed and performed his cabaret-singer show, Page by Page, and directed various regional and touring productions. Page was the voice of the notorious talking plant Audrey II in the Muny's production of Little Shop of Horrors. He also reprised the role of Old Deuteronomy in the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals production of Cats in Lubbock, TX.

A native of St. Louis, Page spent the later part of his career taking on roles at the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre, including in productions of West Side Story, Les Misérables, and Waitress.

Page also carved out a notable career on the screen during and after his onstage career. He is most fondly remembered as the voice of The Nightmare Before Christmas character Oogie Boogie, a role he reprised multiple times in video games, video series and even a live performance of the celebrated 1993 animated film held at the Hollywood Bowl in 2018. 

Along with The Nightmare Before Christmas, his film credits include All Dogs Go to Heaven, Torch Song Trilogy, and Dreamgirls, and his TV work includes guest roles on Charmed and Touched by an Angel, as well as various films and specials.

He 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 also lended his vocal talents to video games such as The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King and Oogie’s Revenge, and the Kingdom Hearts series.

In 2014, BroadwayWorld gathered a slew of stars to celebrate our 10th Anniversay in BroadwayWorld Visits Oz, a special concert event at Joe's Pub benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Above, watch as Ken Page is joined by Olivia Hardy to sing 'be a Lion' from The Wiz! 

Page's death is sure to rock the Broadway community, coming the same day as Tony winner Gavin Creel, whose death earlier in the day had led to an outpouring of grief.

Page's death was announced by friends, including Dorian Hannaway, who wrote on Facebook, “Ken Page has passed onto the next show. My heart is broken.” She went on to report he “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...”

Ken Page, whose Broadway résumé included originating roles in some of the most important productions in musical-theater history, died Monday. He was 70.

“He was a beautiful, talented man who was larger than life,” his rep Lance Kirkland told the outlet. “Ken was loved and adored by so many and will be missed so much.”

Page's death is sure to rock the Broadway community, coming the same day as Tony winner Gavin Creel, whose death earlier in the day had led to an outpouring of grief.

“I’m still stunned by last night’s terrible news. Ken Page died suddenly,” Danny Elfman, the musician and composer who performed with Page as the singing voice of Jack Skellington and composed The Nightmare Before Christmas’ music, wrote on X on Tuesday morning.

“He was the one and only Oogie Boogie Man. He was simply one of the best, most generous souls I know,” Elfman, 71, wrote. “Full of life and overflowing with joy. Talented and then some. Ken, my friend, you will be deeply missed.”

Page’s death has left a void in the entertainment industry, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations of performers. He will be remembered for his iconic voice, his powerful performances, and his kind heart.

He is survived by many friends and admirers.

"He was simply one of the best, most generous souls I know,” Elfman, 71, wrote. “Full of life and overflowing with joy. Talented and then some. Ken, my friend, you will be deeply missed.”