Ken Page, the beloved Broadway actor and voice behind the iconic character Oogie Boogie in “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” passed away at 70. Page, known for his booming baritone voice and magnetic stage presence, died peacefully at his home in St. Louis, Missouri on September 30, 2024. A close friend confirmed his death, but no further details about the cause were provided.
Page’s career spanned over four decades, during which he became one of Broadway’s most distinctive talents. Born on January 20, 1954 in St. Louis, Page first captivated audiences in his hometown at the Municipal Opera Theater, known as The Muny. He appeared in over 45 productions there before making his Broadway debut in 1977 as the Lion in “The Wiz.”
However, his performance as Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the 1976 Broadway revival of “Guys and Dolls” truly put him on the map. His rendition of “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” earned him critical acclaim and remains one of his most memorable performances.
Page continued to leave his mark on Broadway, originating the role of Old Deuteronomy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats” in 1982, a role he reprised in the 1998 film version. His work in “Ain’t Misbehavin,” which celebrated the music of Fats Waller, earned him a Drama Desk Award and further solidified his place as a Broadway legend.
While Page’s accomplishments on the stage were many, he reached new levels of fame with his portrayal of Oogie Boogie in Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993). Page voiced the villainous Boogeyman, a character brought to life by his rich, melodious baritone. The producers had sought someone with a “Cab Calloway-esque” quality, and Page’s unique vocal performance perfectly captured the mischievous, playful nature of Oogie Boogie. “He’s not the type of villain that really, really scares you, but you know he’s fun and he enjoys being the villain,” Page remarked in a 2019 interview.
Beyond “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” he continued to reprise the role of Oogie Boogie in various video games and theme park attractions, further embedding the character into popular culture. His final performance as Oogie Boogie was at a special 30th-anniversary concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 2023.
Page’s talents were not limited to the stage and voice work. He also appeared in several films, including “Torch Song Trilogy” (1988), “All Dogs Go to Heaven “(1989), and “Dreamgirls” (2006). He had guest spots on TV shows such as “Family Matters” and “Touched by an Angel.”
Page’s death has been met with an outpouring of tributes from friends, colleagues, and fans alike. Danny Elfman, the composer of “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” said, “Ken 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.”
Actor Alec Baldwin, who worked with Ken Page, reflected on their time together, saying Page was not only one of the kindest people he’d known but also one of the most talented.
Page is survived by his mother, Gloria. He will be remembered not just for the unforgettable characters he brought to life but also for the lasting impact he made on everyone he met.
