Current:Home > InvestKen Page, Voice of Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas, Dead at 70-LoTradeCoin
Ken Page, Voice of Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas, Dead at 70
View Date:2024-12-24 00:30:43
The theater world is mourning the loss of an iconic star.
Ken Page, a Broadway actor who also voiced the villain Oogie Boogie in Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, has “passed away very peacefully at his home,” in St. Louis, a rep for the performer confirmed to USA Today Oct. 1. He was 70.
“He sat down in his chair and went to sleep and that was it,” the rep told the publication. “He was a beautiful, talented man who was larger than life. Ken was loved and adored by so many and will be missed so much.”
In addition to his on-stage roles in Broadway productions like Cats, The Wiz and the 1976 all-Black revival of Guys and Dolls, Page’s most recognizable role is his voice in the iconic Burton Halloween film. Since its 1993 release, Page continued to voice Oogie Boogie in various franchises for The Nightmare Before Christmas, including for a video game franchise as Disney parks.
His friend, Dorian Hannaway, told the New York Times that he’d even been preparing for more appearances as Oogie Boogie leading up to his death. She emphasized that her late friend “loved” playing the villainous bag of bugs.
Despite his recognizable voice acting gig, Page’s performance as Old Deuteronomy in the original Broadway production of Cats cemented his legacy in the theater world. In addition to his role in Burton’s film, Page appeared alongside Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson in the 2006 film Dreamgirls, as well as voicing King Gator in All Dogs Go To Heaven.
Page was extremely dedicated to his on-stage career, and even took his last $500 of savings to move to New York from St. Louis to pursue his Broadway dreams, he told The New York Times in 1984. Throughout his tenure, he received accolades such as Lifetime Achievement Awards from the St. Louis Art Center and the NYC Manhattan Association of Cabarets.
Early in his career, he listed Tina Turner and Lionel Richie as some of his musical inspirations, for the former’s “excitement” and the latter’s polished energy.
As he told the New York Times of his own performance, “Where I want to go is somewhere between the two."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (12787)
Related
- Residents urged to shelter in place after apparent explosion at Louisville business
- How Barbara Walters Reacted After Being Confronted Over Alleged Richard Pryor Affair
- The US is moving quickly to boost Israel’s military. A look at what assistance it is providing
- Astros eliminate Twins, head to seventh straight AL Championship Series
- Tua Tagovailoa playing with confidence as Miami Dolphins hope MNF win can spark run
- New York governor backs suspension of ‘right to shelter’ as migrant influx strains city
- She's 91 and still playing basketball. Here's this granny's advice for LeBron James
- How Barbara Walters Reacted After Being Confronted Over Alleged Richard Pryor Affair
- Horoscopes Today, November 9, 2024
- After delays, California unveils first site of state tiny home project to relieve homelessness
Ranking
- Relive Pregnant Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly's Achingly Beautiful Romance
- IOC suspends Russian Olympic Committee for incorporating Ukrainian sports regions
- U.S. confirms 22 Americans dead as families reveal details of Hamas attacks in Israel
- Early morning storms prompt tornado warnings, damage throughout Florida
- NFL Week 10 injury report: Live updates on active, inactive players for Sunday's games
- Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello dead at age 61 after mystery allergic reaction
- San Francisco man, 31, identified as driver who rammed vehicle into Chinese consulate
- Taiwan is closely watching the Hamas-Israel war for lessons as it faces intimidation from China
Recommendation
-
More than 150 pronghorns hit, killed on Colorado roads as animals sought shelter from snow
-
'The Fall of the House of Usher' is Poe-try in motion
-
UEFA postpones Israel’s game in Kosovo in European qualifying because players cannot travel abroad
-
'Laugh now, cry later'? Cowboys sound delusional after 49ers racked up points in rout
-
Taylor Swift gifts 7-year-old '22' hat after promising to meet her when she was a baby
-
It's the 10th year of the Kirkus Prize. Meet the winners of a top literary award
-
James McBride wins $50,000 Kirkus Prize for fiction for “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store”
-
Joe Jonas Posts Note on Doing the Right Thing After Sophie Turner Agreement